A young cat mom and her newborn kittens found themselves at a shelter, in need of help.
Kittens, a few days after they were rescued!Chatons Orphelins Montréal
An 8-month-old tabby was brought to a shelter in Montreal, Canada along with her kittens soon after they were born.
The shelter environment quickly became too overwhelming to the young mom. She wasn't able to nurse her babies, and sadly, two of them didn't make it. Staff were worried about the rest of the family and immediately sent out a plea for help.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal, a local rescue group, learned about their plight and offered to take them in. They arranged transport, a quiet home and a foster volunteer to tend to their every need.
Cat mom and her newborn kittensChatons Orphelins Montréal
The cat mom, Milkie, was just skin and bones. Despite what she had gone through, she was very sweet and affectionate towards people.
"She trusted us immediately. After all the changes over the last couple of days, she finally settled into a quiet, comfortable home," Celine Crom of the rescue told Love Meow.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
The kittens were underweight at between 86 grams and 110 grams. They were born with a fever coat, an indication that the mother cat had been ill with a fever or stress during pregnancy.
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Chatons Orphelins Montréal
"They were very tiny and still had their umbilical cords attached when they came to us," the rescue said.
"Their foster mom (Dorothee) spent a lot of time with them to make sure that the kittens fed well."
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
Mama Milkie was exhausted but continued to care for her kittens the best she could.
She slept a lot during the first few days, trying to recuperate, while nursing her babies at the same time.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
A few days later, they noticed something was wrong when Milkie stopped eating and wasn't producing milk.
"We gave her an ultrasound and discovered fluid in her uterus. She would need surgery right away."
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
While the cat mom was at the hospital, the kittens were bottle fed and cared for around the clock by dedicated volunteers, Erica and Danielle.
"The little ones were so hungry that they threw themselves on their first bottle. They quickly put on weight in just 24 hours."
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
When Milkie woke up from her surgery, her appetite returned and she immediately started eating. With a full belly, she was purring, kneading with her paws up in the air — it was the happiest moment they had ever seen from her.
The sweet tabby girl began her recovery at a foster home. In three days, she gained one whole pound and tripled her energy.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
Milkie is enjoying her new life as a loved and spoiled kitty without a worry in the world. "She needs us to take care of her as if she were a kitten. When we are nearby, she eats more," the rescue said.
Now, whenever she cuddles with her foster mom, Valentine, she stretches her toes and starts rumbling with her adorable, contented purrs.
Chatons Orphelins Montréal
Follow updates on the beautiful feline family on Facebook.
Watch video: Mama cat and her precious kittens.
Rescued cat mom and her kittensyoutu.be
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