A cat purred up a storm when she realized her little feline family was finally in a safe home.
A woman from Arkansas has been caring for a colony of the feral and stray cats with help from local animal rescuers to get the kitties spayed and neutered, but some have slipped through the cracks.
One of them, named Charlotte, was born in the colony and had been elusive and avoided being trapped. But with a lot of patience and love, she finally warmed up to her caretaker.
They discovered that she was pregnant, and eight days ago, she gave birth to three little kittens on a bed of hay inside a plastic tub made as a shelter for feral/stray cats.
The caretaker immediately contacted Mew Cat Rescue, a small rescue group in Bentonville, Arkansas, for help. Holly, a foster volunteer, rushed to pick them up.
"Charlotte was unsure about my motives the day I arrived to take her home with me. She was not happy that I put her babies inside the carrier," Holly told Love Meow.
Mama Charlotte wouldn't let Holly touch her and would growl and try to intimidate. Thankfully, the caretaker was able to scoop her up and place her in the carrier with her kittens. The little feline family left their street life behind for good that day.
Charlotte continued to stay guarded when she arrived at her foster home, but things began to change.
"At first, she growled and stared me down so intensely, then I realized it was all just 'bark'. Once she settled in and realized I was safe, she quickly hogged all my affection," Holly told Love Meow.
"She's a total mush and just wants love."
Within a day, Charlotte went from being scared to completely relaxed, purring up a storm and eager to be loved. "This gorgeous young momma is a professional muffin maker!"
Watch Charlotte and her kittens in this cute video:
"Mew Rescue is doing their best to help TNR and save adoptable cats from the streets or bad situations. It takes volunteers, donors and fosters to step up and help with colonies like this. The problem here is rampant," Holly said.
"These four are lucky - four less to repopulate the problem and never know a struggle again."
The little bundles of fur are thriving in foster care. They have a roof over their heads, warm, comfy beds to snuggle in with their mom and constant love and care. They will soon open their eyes to see for the first time.
Their names are Duke, Mia and Camilla. "The babies are only eight days old but the cutest little butterballs."
Mama Charlotte is loving her new indoor life and can't get enough of all the good food and attention and pets from her foster family.
Share this story with your friends. If you would like to support their rescue efforts, click here to see how you can help. Follow updates on the kitties on Facebook and Instagram.
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