A friendly stray cat was found wandering in the woods by herself. A Good Samaritan picked her up, and another kind person named Tiffany offered to care for her while looking for her owners.
Soon she discovered that the cat was pregnant.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
Though the kitty was very bony and thin on her back, Tiffany noticed her round belly and suspected that she might be pregnant.
She brought the cat to the vet for an exam. The doctor referred her to Ashely (@youngestoldcatlady), an experienced foster carer based in Seattle, Washington.
No one came forward to claim the cat despite all the posts and signs that she had put out. Tiffany got in touch with Ashley, and the night after they met, the cat went into labor.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
"Tiffany called me to say that the cat had had a baby. I rushed over to help but it was a very slow process," Ashley told Love Meow.
By the next morning, Zen the cat had given birth to five healthy babies, her little mini-mes.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
The feline family of six was taken in by Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS, in Lynnwood, Washington) and placed in foster care with Ashley.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. All five kittens look just like their mama.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
Mama keeps her babies by her side at all times.
If they wander away, she will run and grab them and put them close to her.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
Ashley brought food and water over to Mama to make sure that she ate while she was nursing her kittens tirelessly, around the clock.
(Scroll down for full video)
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
Look at those bear/panther paws!
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
Two weeks later, the kittens began to see, crawl and explore. "They are moving more and more."
This kitten was the first to open his eyes.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
"It's hard to tell them apart. There are two girls and three boys."
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
As they grew bigger, Mama Zen began to take longer breaks and spend more cuddle time with her foster mom.
Their eyes are wide open, and they are ready for new adventures.
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
When they are big enough, they will be spayed/neutered and put up for adoption. Mama Zen already has someone who wants to bring her home.
"Tiffany is hoping to keep her when she is done with her kittens and healthy again," Ashley told Love Meow.
One of the two girls from the litter. Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
The kittens are one month old now, thriving in foster care.
"They are exploring more and more and gaining confidence. They are so sweet."
Ashley @youngestoldcatlady
Follow their updates on Facebook and Instagram @youngestoldcatlady.
Watch this beautiful feline family in this cute video:
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Related story: Stray Cat Mom Brings Her Kittens to Man that She Befriended, for Help.