A stray cat came to a family's home for help so she could have her kittens in a safe place.
Earlier this month, Sandy, a resident from Arizona, spotted a neighborhood stray in her backyard. The cat who had been living outside, roaming the streets, decided to stop at this house to beg for food on that fateful day.
Sandy happily obliged and offered the sweet cat a full meal and fresh water. While she was feeding the cat, she noticed the bulge around her belly and thought the cat might be pregnant.
After cleaning up the plate, the friendly feline walked up to Sandy for pets, and followed her around the porch as if she wanted to stay. The cat needed a place for her kittens, and Sandy couldn't leave her out to fend for herself and the babies.
She brought the friendly tabby inside to a spare bedroom, so her kittens would never have to spend a day outside.
The lovable cat felt right at home as she lied down on the floor and laid her head on a soft blanket. She stretched her paws and toes while she rumbled with her adorable purrs. It was as if she knew that she was in good hands.
The expectant mom was so happy to be inside. She rolled around on every blanket she was given, showing off her belly for rubs.
Hoping to get the cat and her kittens the best care and good homes, Sandy reached out to Jen, a foster volunteer of Jin's Bottle Babies, for assistance. "She messaged asking what to do and the timing worked out pretty perfectly," Jen told Love Meow.
A few days later, Sandy came home to quite the surprise -- five healthy babies were already there, all cleaned up, and nursing on their doting mom.
"She gave birth on St. Patrick's Day, so we named them after shades of green (Momma Jade, Hunter, Emerald, Kelly, Olive and Forest)."
Jin's Bottle Babies was able to take the whole family of six into their care later that Friday. "Mama is extremely sweet and outgoing. The day I went to pick them up, she walked right up to me after I sat down on the floor, to get chin scratches," Jen shared with Love Meow.
After exploring around her new digs, Jade rubbed up against her foster mom for more pets and love. She was so pleased to have the all-you-can-eat buffet and a mountain of blankets at her disposal.
"She's settled in here so fast and when I come into the room if the babies aren't nursing, she gets up and follows me around chirping. She's super curious. If I open the closet, she wants to scope it out."
Jade quickly got used to the sounds and smells of indoor life, and became very comfortable with Jen's presence. She let her human weigh her babies and change and clean up the beddings with so much gratitude.
"The babies are growing so fast, gaining weight as they should be. Jade purrs while the kittens are eating and they all cuddle up and fall asleep," Jen added.
"She chirps when following me around and when I ask her questions. She meows back sometimes and it sounds like 'no'."
While the cat family is thriving in foster care, the rescue is working on getting the neighborhood strays spayed and neutered.
Momma Jade is eager to be loved but completely devoted to her kittens. She hasn't had the chance to enjoy lap time yet, but when the kittens are bigger and more independent, Jen expects to see her blossom into a full-fledged cuddle-bug.
"When the kittens are older and I move the comfy chair in here, she will (climb in my lap). She loves chin rubs and winds between my legs when I'm dishing up snacks," Jen told Love Meow.
The kittens are one week old, and their eyes are starting to open. Momma Jade showers them with hugs and keeps them immaculately clean.
Jade found the perfect family for help that day when she needed a safe place for her babies.
"She knew exactly who to go to when she found herself pregnant. I love that they open up to let humans help them. It's really special."
Share this story with your friends. Follow updates on the cat family and Jen's fosters on Instagram.
Related story: Cat Befriends Stray Kitten from Yard and Brings Him into His Home