A cat and her kittens were living in a hole between buildings until kind neighbors spotted them and jumped in to help.
Bay Ridge Mama and her kittensWhiskers-A-GoGo
When concerned residents noticed a mother cat and three kittens tucked into a hole between two buildings, they immediately sought help.
The den was cold and dirty, near some garbage cans. Leanne, a volunteer with Whiskers-A-GoGo (a cat rescue), received a call about the feline family and rushed to rescue them first thing the next morning.
"These little gray and white kittens were already starting to climb out of the hole and onto the sidewalk near a busy street. There was no time to waste," Leanne shared.
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"We were there in less than 24 hours, and with the help of tuna, baked chicken, and a neighbor with a screwdriver to move the garbage bins, we trapped the mom and scooped up the kittens."
Since the kittens were so young, they quickly warmed up to people and didn't mind being held, though their mom stayed cautious.
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"They settled in really well, and the mom (aka Bay Ridge Mama) didn't give me any grief when I weighed them every day. She did stand at the door and stare me down. An occasional hiss just to remind me who's boss."
Bay Ridge Mama had a ravenous appetite, polishing off every dish while attentively feeding her hungry trio.
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"She cleans them, cuddles them. Sometimes, she takes a break on top of the little hiding box while the kittens are resting."
Before long, the kittens mastered the litter box, making their foster mom very proud. With their newfound energy and zest for life, they began playing, wrestling, and climbing on top of the box to sneak attack and pounce on each other.
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A few days after bringing the feline family home, Leanne found four gray kittens strewn in front of a house. It was cold and windy outside, and despite waiting all day, their mother never returned. Leanne stepped in and took them home.
"I introduced them to Bay Ridge Mama, asking her very politely if she wouldn't mind feeding four more mouths. She took care of them right away."
Bay Ridge Mama immediately started caring for the four gray kittens alongside her ownWhiskers-A-GoGo
All through the night, Leanne bottle-fed the newborn kittens while the protective surrogate mom supervised. "She made some growly noises and just sat there, staring me down when I fed them. When I gave them back to her, she cleaned them up."
"Even her kittens cuddled with them."
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Bay Ridge Mama has slowly adjusted to indoor life; she no longer hides and feels completely at ease around her foster mom. "She likes to be pet, likes scritches behind the ears, on her back, and the base of her tail. She even leans into it."
Leanne and her team never stopped searching for the gray kittens' mom. With patience, they eventually brought her to safety and reunited her with her brood.
They found the gray kittens' mom and reunited her with her babiesWhiskers-A-GoGo
The Bay Ridge kittens have grown by leaps and bounds. They've also discovered their voices and aren't shy about using them. Each day, they grow bolder and more adventurous, ready to take on the world with their endless mischief.
Soon, they will be scampering around their new playpen like tiny whirlwinds.
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Bay Ridge Mama contentedly watches from the sidelines as her little ones transform their space into their personal amusement park.
Whenever Leanne enters the room, Mama walks right up to her, ready for a snack or a fresh plate of food.
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She's relieved to know she'll never have to worry about her next meal or the safety of her kittens.
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