A cat brought along her kittens when she finally moved indoors, but the little family needed far more than a roof over their heads.
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About two months ago, Best Friends Felines, an all-volunteer rescue, received an urgent request to take in a heavily pregnant cat.
Jen, a longtime foster volunteer, stepped up immediately and welcomed the expectant mom, Clair, into her home. "It was evident this wasn't her first rodeo, as she had clearly nursed babies prior," Jen shared.
A vet check for the calico was scheduled for three days later. "Let's just say that the appointment was never attended."
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That Thursday morning, Clair went into labor. Within the first hour, she delivered two kittens. By the afternoon, she had four tiny newborns nursing contentedly at her side. "They are simply the most beautiful little babies, all different colors."
From the start, Clair was a devoted mother, tending to her kittens' every need. "One thing she loves just as much as her babies is human affection."
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Whenever she could sneak a moment for herself, Clair sought out her foster mom. She "helped" with chores, supervised tasks, and filled the room with her soothing purrs. "She has appeared in a few team meetings when she's insisted on cuddles right there and then."
But the moment she heard a kitten cry, she dashed back to the nest to make sure their needs were met.
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A few weeks later, things took a difficult turn. One of the kittens, Barrington, suddenly began to decline. Jen rushed him to the vet, where she learned he had a rare genetic condition, transient hyperlipidemia and anemia, which can lead to severe anemia. Despite every effort, Barrington lost his fight.
"There are no warning signs, no way to predict it." Fearing for the others, Jen took the rest of the family straight to the vet.
The remaining kittens received lifesaving transfusionsBestFriendsFelines
The following Monday, tests revealed that the blood levels of the three remaining kittens had dropped significantly, and they would need transfusions. Jen's own cat, Adele, became the first donor, and River, a cat belonging to another volunteer's family, stepped up as the second donor.
Thanks to these two cats, the kittens, Stanley, Wellington, and Flowerpot, received the lifesaving treatment they needed that day.
Adele and RiverBestFriendsFelines
Adele and River were calm and cooperative at the clinic, as if they understood the assignment. After their extraordinary efforts, they were rewarded with plenty of affection and hearty meals. "We are incredibly grateful to both of these heroic felines and their wonderful humans."
Over the next several days, the kittens steadily improved, and their personalities truly blossomed.
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"Stanley is our cheerful, easygoing adventurer and the biggest of the trio. Wellington is a gentle, snuggly sweetheart who loves a quiet cuddle. Flowerpot is full of sass and spirit, always plotting her next pounce with a flick of her tail."
The kittens continue their medication for anemia and are thriving like the little champs they are.
StanleyBestFriendsFelines
Now that the kittens are starting to explore the world on their own, Clair is leaning even more into her love of human companionship. "We have some great chats with her, and she gets along well with most of the residents."
She has started a charming new hobby: stealing her kittens' toys and parading them proudly around the house.
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No more pregnancies, no more uncertainty. Now, Clair can just shine like the star she is.
"She has become the official greeter to all visitors and will proceed to tell them all about her day. She continues to melt hearts wherever she goes. She is going to make an incredible companion to a very lucky family."
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