Four kittens who were found just days after birth, showered each other with hugs throughout their journey to their dream homes.
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
A litter of kittens were found near the beaches in Jacksonville, Florida, in desperate need of rescue. Their cat mother sadly passed away and left behind four little tabbies at just a few days old.
The finder posted a plea for help and hoped a rescue could give the little ones a chance at life. Kaitlyn, an animal ER nurse, saw the plea and stepped up to take them.
"I knew these kittens needed to be helped right away. When they came to me, they were curled up together, snug as a bug, only 2-3 days old."
They were found outside as orphans at just a few days oldKaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
Kaitlyn placed them in an incubator to help regulate their body temperature. The kittens were stabilized and slowly got some food into their tiny bodies. They slept soundly that night in a cuddle puddle, warm and fed.
"They were so loved despite becoming orphaned just hours prior."
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
The kittens (Scanlan, Percival, Grog, and Vax'ildan named after characters in an animated series) were underweight and had a lot of growing to do. At five days old, they were just the size of a healthy newborn kitten. They had a difficult time latching onto a bottle and needed to be tube-fed for the first two days in foster care.
Once they were strong enough to eat from a syringe, their appetite soared and they were gobbling down the kitten formula like champs.
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
Kaitlyn brought them to work with her, so the kittens would not miss a single meal or lack an ounce of love. She also got up in the middle of the night to cater to the demanding four.
When one of the littermates struggled to gain weight, she made sure that he got the medical care he needed to thrive.
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
Over the next few weeks, the tabbies grew by leaps and bounds, and were becoming more active and inquisitive.
"Watching the milestones being reached is one of the best parts of fostering orphaned animals. They learn a lot from having each other, but I play an important role in their socialization as well," Kaitlyn shared.
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
The feline brothers gained confidence each day as they wrestled and tumbled with one another, jumped up and down the playpen, learned to master the litter box and played with an assortment of toys.
When they were tired from all the roughhousing, they snuggled into a cuddle puddle and fell fast asleep.
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
With painstaking care and plenty of love to go around, they were growing and thriving.
When the kittens were weaned, they were set to graduate to a foster program at Love Me True Rescue, and began getting ready (to be vetted and neutered) for their next chapter in life.
Kaitlyn @foster.rinse.repeat
Before they left Kaitlyn for their new foster home, the kittens nestled into a purr pile per usual, with bright eyes, full bellies and strong purr motors. "These four tabbies have stolen my heart," Kaitlyn added.
Love Me True Rescue
The brothers, now renamed Ford, Fletcher, Fitz and Fry, continued their daily cuddle routines at their new foster's. They shared a bed together despite plenty of napping options available within grasp.
Love Me True Rescue
After a rough start to life, they were nursed back to health and grew up surrounded by love. The tabby boys have all found their dream homes with loving humans to snuggle with every day.
Love Me True Rescue
Share this story with your friends. Follow Kaitlyn's fosters on Facebook and Instagram @foster.rinse.repeat. Follow Love Me True Rescue on Instagram @lovemetruerescue.
Related story: Tabby Kitten Nestles with Her Littermates Until Help Arrives, Now Living Everyday to the Fullest