A cat was brought indoors after a long trip, just days before her three house panther kittens arrive.
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About a month ago, a beautiful cat named Jada embarked on a long journey to her foster home, crossing several states.
It truly took a village—many volunteers came together to transport the cat so she wouldn't have to stay in a shelter. "The drive was split into seventeen legs. The transport coordinator is amazing for pulling it off. Mama stayed overnight at a volunteer's and had a good night's rest," Heidi Shoemaker, the founder of Foster Kitten Mama, shared.
Once Jada arrived, Heidi settled her into a cozy nursery with nourishing food and plenty of blankets for her to nestle into.
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"She received eye meds, flea treatment, had lots of food packed with nutrients and probiotics, and she got a nice brushing."
Jada was heavily pregnant and appeared ready to give birth at any moment. After a bit of exploring, she approached her foster mom and enjoyed her first tube treat. That night, she slept soundly in her new bed with a full belly.
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Jada spent two days catching up on lost sleep. After receiving treatment for some stomach issues, she was ready to welcome her kittens into the world. Anticipating the big moment, Heidi went to bed with her camera app open, and the volume turned up.
One day, Heidi had a feeling something was different about Jada, so she kept a closer eye on her.
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Her hunch was spot on—Jada went into labor that day and delivered three house panther kittens, tiny copies of their mom.
Heidi spent the entire day with the little family, providing Jada with all the support she needed and ensuring the babies were doing well. "She had three perfect littles who are all big and healthy. They've been nursing like champs."
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"Jada is a fantastic mom, and she's so affectionate. She wants to jump in my lap but is conflicted with wanting to stay with her babies. Someone is going to be so lucky to have her as part of their family."
In just a few days, the three mini house panthers grew into plump roly-polies, each sporting an adorable round belly.
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As the kittens (Jaqueline, Jessalynn, and Jayne) opened their eyes and strengthened their legs, their curiosity led them to waddle around and explore. Jada kept a watchful eye, making sure they didn't stray too far.
Jaqueline, the most vocal of the bunch, cried out for her mom whenever she was away for her daily weigh-in.
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When Heidi noticed that Jaqueline had started losing weight, she swiftly took action. "This is why it's so important to weigh every day to catch these problems early. She was the biggest and became the smallest."
"I stepped in and started tube-feeding before things became critical."
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Jaqueline, now happy with a full belly, rolled onto her back with her paws in the air. Noticing Jada might not have enough milk for all three hungry mouths, Heidi began supplementing the kittens.
The trio nestled close to Jada, nursing contentedly until they drifted off to the soothing sound of their mom purring.
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The kittens are thriving, and soon, they will graduate to a spacious playpen where they can hone their feline skills, enjoy plenty of playtime, and explore their surroundings.
Jada continues to be a rockstar mom, tending to her kittens' every need.
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Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, Jada is enjoying her new life with kind people helping her raise her last litter and showering her with love and attention.
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