A cat snuck into a car tire to have kittens. One day, a kind person welcomed them with open arms, changing their world forever.
Candy and her kittensLarisa
As the temperatures continued to drop, a young black and white stray cat wandered into an unexpected place to keep warm.
She'd been hanging around a tire shop for some time, surviving on scraps of chicken, rice, and beans. Despite the shop's deafening noise, she kept returning for food. She was very resourceful, finding hidden nooks to keep herself safe.
One day, workers were astonished to find that the cat wasn't alone; nestled inside a tire were four tiny kittens.
LittleWanderersNYC
They reached out to their local rescue, Little Wanderers NYC, hoping to find a safe haven for the family of five.
"She gave birth to four kittens inside an abandoned car on a forklift, inside a tire. Her kittens are in surprisingly good shape, mostly due to the mom's expert care," Little Wanderers NYC shared.
LittleWanderersNYC
"Candy (the cat) is rail thin. She is a stray cat that decided to stay because they fed her and showed her kindness. She is a beautiful and smart cat."
Candy had been a devoted mom, doing everything she could to keep her little ones safe. Now that the kittens had grown enough to explore beyond the tire, they needed a secure and warm environment to thrive.
LittleWanderersNYC
With the help of volunteers, the feline family was brought to safety and had their first vet visit. Larisa saw a request for a foster home and stepped up to take them in.
Candy quickly settled into her new room, exploring every corner and enjoying her new catnip toys. Her kittens were equally delighted to be indoors, with plenty of blankets to snuggle in and room to zoom around.
Larisa
It was Larisa's first time fostering a feline family. "It has been such a sweet experience so far. We have some space, extra food, and litter, and this family won't have to suffer in the cold," Larisa shared.
"The day I brought them home, (the kittens) nursed until they fell asleep."
LittleWanderersNYC
"Mama Candy is so regal. She is the epitome of a feline: a gorgeous lady kitty that walks like a huntress and cares for her sweet kittens with such obvious adoration. She is very vocal, always letting you know if she'd like pets or more food."
Even though the kittens were weaned, Candy continued to let them nurse for comfort and showered them with love.
Larisa
"She loves totally flat surfaces (without blankets, mama loves the desk) and is always eager to give hand kisses."
Candy claimed the computer desk as her favorite perch. Before long, her kittens followed her lead, finding their own spots on the desk and learning the ropes as little office helpers.
Larisa
With a roof over their heads, an abundance of food, and the comfort of their foster home, the kittens blossomed into joyful, energetic young cats.
"Marshmallow is the shy one of the bunch, always walking with a bit of trepidation unless her siblings are around. She is also very vocal, like her mom, always cooing or asking if something is going on."
Marshmallow and her siblingLarisa
Candy is ready to move on from motherhood and find a forever family who will cherish her like the queen she is.
She found the safest place for her kittens and relied on the kindness of people to survive. Now, she can finally relax and enjoy being a pampered young cat, basking in the affection of her foster family.
Larisa
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