A cat was so glad to be taken inside a comfy home so her kittens could have a chance to thrive.
Duchess the catRenee @pdxkittyfoster
An orange tabby cat was found by a family and brought in to a vet clinic. She came with a bite wound on her right hip and had likely been in a fight with another animal.
The cat received wound care and an ultrasound which confirmed that she was pregnant. After completing her stray hold at the county shelter, she was transferred to Cat Adoption Team (in Oregon).
"She did not have a microchip, and no one came looking for her. That's how she ended up with us," Renee who works and fosters for Cat Adoption Team, told Love Meow.
She was found by a family and taken into a vet clinicRenee @pdxkittyfoster
The expectant mother needed a safe haven to raise her kittens, so Renee offered to take her in to foster. The tabby named Duchess was a bit shy and nervous at first after having fended for herself outside for some time.
Slowly but surely, Duchess warmed up to her people, started to relax and even rolled over for belly rubs. "She was getting more comfortable, and sometimes she played a bit rough."
Duchess was pregnant and came to her foster home via Cat Adoption TeamRenee @pdxkittyfoster
After scoping out her new kitty suite, Duchess gave her stamp of approval and decided to tag along with her foster mom for pets and snuggles.
She became more confident around humans and even tried to play. But the tabby girl didn't seem to understand that fingers aren't toys, so Renee began showing her that hands are for gentle things such as pets and chin scratches.
She warmed up to her foster mom and enjoyed attention and petsRenee @pdxkittyfoster
"After 10 days in foster, she delivered five perfect, healthy babies. She was hands-down the quietest mama I've ever had deliver," Renee shared with Love Meow.
Duchess dove right into mommy duties and zeroed in on making sure that the kittens were fed, clean and loved. "This was obviously not her first litter as she handled it all like a seasoned pro."
Duchess gave birth to five healthy babiesRenee @pdxkittyfoster
"She is a loving mother and she takes perfect care of her babies. She is protective but not in an aggressive manner," Renee shared.
"When I move the kittens from her nest to weight them, she is right there to make sure I put them back. She is starting to trust me more every day and lets me handle the babies more and more."
Watch Duchess the cat in this cute video:
Duchess the catwww.youtube.com
The litter of five keep their mom tied up around the clock. When Duchess takes a break to replenish and stretch, she scarfs down her food and hurries back to tending to her demanding kittens.
Renee brings food to the cat mom when she is too busy caring for her litter and forgets to eat.
Renee @pdxkittyfoster
After a few days of undivided attention, Duchess came over to sit with Renee for the first time since birth, and she kneaded away on a blanket beside her.
She started nursing her kittens next to her foster mom, and was content to get some support and head scritches in the meantime.
Renee @pdxkittyfoster
No one knows what life was like for Duchess before she was found. But now, she relishes every moment in her comfortable abode and no longer has any worry in her eyes.
She stretches her happy toes constantly as she enjoys the company of her people.
Renee @pdxkittyfoster
The kittens are starting to open their eyes, and once they are weaned in about 6-8 weeks, Duchess will be spayed and never have to go through another pregnancy again.
The feline family will stay in Renee's care until the kittens are big enough to be spayed/neutered and put up for adoption.
Renee @pdxkittyfoster
Duchess came into her foster home hoping for a better chance for her kittens. Now, they are all thriving and well on their way to a bright future.
Renee @pdxkittyfoster
Share this story with your friends. Follow updates on the feline family and Renee's fosters on Instagram @pdxkittyfoster.
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