There’s a cat who has spent most of her life living outside, but now she’s experiencing the comfort of being indoors with her kittens for the first time.
Just a few weeks ago, a kind-hearted person in Florida discovered a litter of kittens outside a house. They were nestled in a pile of doors by the side of the building. Realizing they needed help, the finder reached out to a local rescue called Animalluvr’s Dream Rescue.
It turned out that these adorable little kittens belonged to a stray cat from the neighborhood. She had been living under a house in the area for quite some time. The rescue shared that this mama cat was most likely left behind when her previous owners moved away, and she had been fending for herself ever since.
Nadija, a volunteer at the rescue, took it upon herself to bring this cat off the streets and into a loving home where she could raise her trio of kittens in comfort.
After clearing out the stack of doors, the kittens were carefully gathered up from the dirt and placed in a carrier.
With lots of patience and the use of a humane trap, they were able to bring the mother cat to safety as well. The rescue firmly believes in not leaving mama cats behind. They found a foster home that was more than willing to take in the whole family.
When they first arrived, the family was understandably nervous. There was hissing even from the little kittens. The mama cat, named Rebecca, was uncertain about everything and acted accordingly, as Allison Ilcken, the foster mom, shared with us.
Rebecca demonstrated an incredible maternal instinct, diligently protecting her kittens named Kate, Randi, and Kevin from any potential harm. She seemed relieved to have a safe haven to raise her little ones, but she still struggled to trust humans completely.
To provide added privacy, Allison created den-like living arrangements using cardboard to cover most of the bathtub. This helped Rebecca feel more at ease and secure.
With fresh, soft bedding, an abundance of food, and clean water, Rebecca slowly adjusted to indoor life. “She has been really good about eating. After one night, she figured out how to use her litter box and has been using it since,” Allison shared.
The kittens, now three weeks old, are starting to explore their newfound leg strength. They curiously venture around their cozy nest, investigating every nook and cranny, while their watchful mom keeps a close eye on them.
Rebecca is always there, hovering over her adorable fur babies if they make even the slightest noise. As the kittens become more active and outgrow their current nest, they will soon be upgraded to a more spacious kitty suite.
Allison mentioned, “She is a really good mom and definitely protective of her babies. But as time goes on, she is less hissy and less likely to strike at me.” It’s heartwarming to see Rebecca gradually becoming more comfortable and realizing that humans aren’t so bad after all.
After spending most of her life roaming the streets, Rebecca now has many people rooting for her. Once the kittens are old enough, she will be spayed, ensuring she never has to go through another pregnancy. She’ll finally be able to enjoy a life where she can do whatever her heart desires.
The trio of kittens is thriving in foster care, their plump bellies evidence of their healthy growth. “The bravest kitten is the tiger girl, Kate. She’s consistently been pretty outgoing,” shared Allison.
They adore their human friends and have already made friends with the resident dog, Izzy, who eagerly awaits the day when they’re ready to socialize and receive lots of love.
This heartwarming story is a reminder of the power of compassion and the difference it makes in our lives. Share this story with your friends. Updates on Rebecca, her Kittens and Allison’s fosters on Instagram.
