Three cats were rescued just days before giving birth. Now, they are raising their kittens together as the sweetest team.
BestFriendsFelines
Best Friends Felines, a volunteer-run rescue, was contacted about three young cats who were heavily pregnant and in urgent need of help.
A well-meaning woman had taken in several stray cats but became overwhelmed by the situation. Without hesitation, the rescue stepped in, making room for the expectant mothers. Their experienced fosterer, Kerry, opened her home to welcome the trio.
Cristabelle (white with a touch of calico) and Sylvia (calico) were affectionate and trusting from the start. Their sister, Emmeline (gray), was more reserved and needed extra time to feel safe around people.
Cristabelle, Sylvia, and EmmelineBestFriendsFelines
"The cats had been strays, and they had been taken in and cared for by a woman doing her best with what she had," Best Friends Felines shared.
The rescue also offered to help the remaining cats in the woman's care, ensuring they were spayed or neutered and given the best chance at life.
Sylvia and EmmelineBestFriendsFelines
Within a week of arriving in foster care, Cristabelle went into labor and delivered four healthy kittens. In just 35 minutes, her newborns were nestled against her, nursing contentedly. She was an attentive mother, rarely leaving her kittens' side.
Kerry hoped the other two sisters would have similarly smooth deliveries, but young moms often face unexpected challenges.
Cristabelle and her kittensBestFriendsFelines
A few days later, Emmeline gave birth, but she had no milk and lacked the strength to care for her kittens. Despite the tireless efforts of three volunteers and even help from Cristabelle, Emmeline's litter, born prematurely, did not survive.
Soon after, Sylvia went into labor. At first, she was confused and needed help cleaning and feeding her kittens, but having Cristabelle by her side reassured her.
Emmeline and CristabelleBestFriendsFelines
After many sleepless nights of care, the nine kittens born to Cristabelle and Sylvia began to thrive. Despite her loss, Emmeline stepped in to help her sisters feed and clean their kittens as if they were her own.
"And together, the kittens share three devoted mothers, co-raising them, sharing duties, and loving every little squeak."
Emmeline and SylviaBestFriendsFelines
"Out of heartbreak, we still have hope, life, and resilience—and nine beautiful babies with their gentle trio of moms."
The three cats have formed an extraordinary co-parenting team, with Emmeline especially invested in raising the kittens. "She is the most protective of the group," Kerry said. "I often get a hiss or a gentle whack if I get too close to 'her' babies."
Emmeline is very protective of 'her' kittensBestFriendsFelines
Raising nine kittens is no small feat, and the moms need to refuel constantly. Thankfully, they have an abundant food supply and hearty appetites. "Every time I walk into their room with a meal, they all come running like a fluffy stampede."
The kittens nurse from all three moms and are cherished equally. "They have no idea who technically 'belongs' to whom, only that they have three full-time milk bars available, and they are very happy about it."
BestFriendsFelines
Now around three weeks old, the kittens' eyes are wide open, and their curiosity is growing by the day. With newfound strength, they're beginning to crawl and attempt tiny explorations around their nest.
"Every single one of them is perfect, fluffy, floppy, and an absolute joy."
BestFriendsFelines
Thanks to the dedication of these volunteers, this beautiful feline family is thriving in foster care. The three moms continue to support one another, raising nine kittens together while offering comfort and companionship through it all.
Sylvia and CristabelleBestFriendsFelines
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