They quickly agreed to help a cat who arrived a few days later with a pair of kittens, ready for a fresh start.
MittensFosterKittenMama
Heidi Shoemaker, the founder of Foster Kitten Mama (a cat rescue), received a request to help a pregnant cat in need of a safe place.
Knowing the cat deserved a chance, Heidi immediately agreed to take her in. She arranged transport and set up a comfortable space for the soon-to-be mom.
By the time the cat arrived, she wasn't alone. The sweet tabby had two tiny kittens snuggled close, showering them with love.
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Before the cat could reach Heidi's rescue, she couldn't wait and gave birth to her kittens. "I'm thankful to be able to help this little family out," Heidi shared.
Heidi quickly noticed the cat's extra toes and lovingly named her Mittens. "She is a polydactyl, which means she has six toe beans (on each front paw), giving her a little 'thumb.'"
Mittens have many extra toesFosterKittenMama
The tabby kitten, Jingle, was like a mini version of Mittens, while the Siamese mix, Bell, inherited her mom's adorable extra toes. "With only two kittens, they get to nurse all they want."
While Bell had a big voice to match her big paws, her brother, Jingle, was one of the largest kittens Heidi had ever seen at that age. "At over two weeks old, he weighed in at a whopping one pound and 0.3 ounces. We often struggle to get four-week-old kittens to a pound."
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Before Jingle and Bell even mastered their legs, they were already plotting to escape their nest. Each time their mom stepped away, they would waddle around, trying to break out. Though still uncoordinated, they were determined to clamber out.
"This picture looks like Jingle is lifting up his sister for an escape."
Bell and Jingle tried to break out of their nestFosterKittenMama
Once they were big enough to explore and play, Heidi moved them to a spacious playpen brimming with toys. Soon, the two were lapping up water and nibbling from a bowl, ready for their next adventure.
Jingle was enthralled by all the new toys, especially the tower of tracks, where he could perch and survey his kingdom. "Mama Mittens even joined in on the play."
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Bell, the little polydactyl, is going to be an expert climber with her extra toes for added grip. She loves wrestling with her brother and skillfully catches toys with her large mittens.
Embracing her newfound freedom, she's become an inquisitive, adventurous little explorer.
Bell is also a polydactyl like her momFosterKittenMama
The variety of toys has truly awakened Mitten's playful nature. At one year old, she's still a kitten at heart. Her eyes light up at the sight of a feather toy, and she eagerly reaches for it with both front mittens while balancing on her hind legs.
"Mama Mittens loves to play. She's always ready for a session of wand play."
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Her kittens gather around to watch her in action, often joining in and imitating her. Jingle, in particular, is excited about everything his mom does and is encouraged when she shows him how to play.
Jingle, Mitten's little mini-me, follows right in his mom's paw steps.
Mittens encourages Jingle to playFosterKittenMama
Given a second chance, the little feline family is thriving in foster care. Mittens will never have to worry about food and shelter or go through another pregnancy.
This winter, they are cozy and content, with full bellies, plenty of toys, and kind humans to shower them with love.
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Related story: Woman Bought a House and Inherited a Cat, Shortly After Bringing Her Inside, She Found Kittens