A rescuer went to the shelter for kittens, but saw a cat come through the door with her seven. She couldn't leave them there.
Snow White and her seven kittensLoriWhite
Last weekend, Lori White and her team from ARPO (The Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership) visited a local animal shelter overwhelmed by an influx of kittens.
As they were preparing to leave with a group of kittens, a mother cat and her seven babies came through the door. The cat had a severely ruptured eye that needed emergency surgery.
"As quickly as they were taken back to an intake room, I decided I needed to try to help," Lori shared.
LoriWhite
After a flurry of phone calls, networking, and lots of driving, they found a veterinarian willing to take the mother in. It took a village, but that same night, the mama cat underwent the surgery she desperately needed.
"I picked her up around 2 a.m. to bring her home and got her and her babies settled in."
LoriWhite
"It's always hard to decide which groups to pull (from the shelter), and I lie awake at night thinking of all the others I didn't pick."
Lori named the resilient cat Snow White and gave each of her seven kittens a name to match the Seven Dwarfs. Despite everything she'd been through, Snow White was in good spirits—affectionate and full of gratitude.
LoriWhite
"Snow White has been nothing but sweet. As soon as she came out of her carrier, she rubbed up against my legs and purred. I truly think they know and understand how they were helped."
At her follow-up vet visit, Snow White was a model patient. Calm and sweet, she quickly won the hearts of the staff.
LoriWhite
"Maybe she was enjoying the little break from her kittens, who were in the carrier behind her."
Thanks to a cozy nursery, a devoted mom, and a loving foster family, the kittens grew plump with healthy, round bellies. As they became more active and adventurous, they started to waddle and explore. "They are finding their groove and hopping all around their room."
LoriWhite
Still a bit unsteady on their feet, the kittens toddled out of their nest like "drunken sailors." They were eager to climb anything they could reach—the playpen, each other, and their ever-patient mother.
"This is my favorite kitten age because they are so funny to watch and so stinking cute."
LoriWhite
Snow White has a voracious appetite, devouring every meal and leaving no crumb behind. Feeding seven hungry mouths is no small feat. She tears through can after can, refueling constantly to keep up with the demands of motherhood.
Her kittens have started to show interest in her food, gathering around her bowl to investigate.
LoriWhite
With each passing day, their curiosity grows. The kittens explore every inch of their nursery, testing limits and chasing shadows. Snow White keeps a watchful eye, always ready to scoop them up if they wander too far.
In a few more weeks, they'll be zooming around the room, leaping onto cat furniture, and keeping their mom on her toes.
LoriWhite
Thanks to a loving foster home, this little family is thriving.
Snow White has embraced her new life, with her babies safe by her side. She greets her foster mom whenever she walks into the room and follows her around, soaking up every ounce of affection.
LoriWhite
Share this story with your friends. More on Snow White, her kittens, and Lori's fosters on Instagram@dreaming_of_foster_kittens and ARPO @arporescue.
Related story: Cat Shows Joy for the First Time When He Experiences Kindness After Years of Hard Knock Life