They quickly agreed to help a cat who arrived a few days later with a couple of kittens, ready for a fresh start.
GlovesFosterKittenMama
Heidi Shoemaker, the founder of Foster Kitten Mama (a cat rescue), received a request to help a pregnant cat in need of a safe place.
Knowing that the cat deserved a chance, Heidi immediately agreed to take her in. She arranged transport and arranged a comfortable place for the mother-to-be.
When the cat arrived, she was not alone. The sweet tabby had two little kittens snuggled close to them and showered them with love.
FosterKittenMama
Before the cat could reach Heidi’s rescue, she could not wait and gave birth to her kittens. “I am grateful to be able to help this little family,” Heidi shared.
Heidi quickly noticed the cat’s extra toes and affectionately named her Mittens. “She’s a polydactyl, which means she has six toes (on each front paw), giving her a little thumb.”
Mittens have many extra toesFosterKittenMama
The tabby kitten, Jingle, was like a mini version of Mittens, while the Siamese mix, Bell, inherited his mother’s adorable extra toes. “With only two kittens, they can nurse all they want.”
While Bell had a big voice to match her big paws, her brother, Jingle, was one of the biggest kittens Heidi had ever seen at that age. “When he was over two weeks old, he weighed a full pound and 0.3 ounces. We often struggle to get four-week-old kittens to a pound.”
FosterKittenMama
Before Jingle and Bell even mastered their legs, they were already planning to escape their nest. Whenever their mother went away, they tumbled around and tried to break out. Although they were still uncoordinated, they were determined to shout out.
“This picture looks like Jingle is lifting his sister up to escape.”
Bell and Jingle tried to break out of their nestFosterKittenMama
When they were big enough to explore and play, Heidi moved them to a spacious playpen with toys. Soon the two were lapping water and nibbling from a bowl, ready for their next adventure.
Jingle was enthralled by all the new toys, especially the tower of tracks where he could sit and survey his kingdom. “Mama Mittens was even in the play.”
JingleFosterKittenMama
Bell, the little polydactyl, becomes an expert climber with his extra toes for extra grip. She loves to wrestle with her brother and skillfully catches toys with her big mittens.
She embraces her newfound freedom and has become a curious, adventurous little explorer.
Bell is also a polydactyl like his motherFosterKittenMama
The many different toys have really awakened Mitten’s playful nature. At one year old, she is still a kitten at heart. Her eyes light up at the sight of a feather toy and she eagerly reaches for it with both front paws while balancing on her hind legs.
“Mama Mittens loves to play. She’s always up for a game of wand play.”
FosterKittenMama
Her kittens gather to watch her in action, often joining in and mimicking her. Jingle in particular is excited about everything his mother does and is encouraged when she shows him how to play.
Jingle, Mitten’s little mini-me, is following in his mother’s footsteps.
Mittens encourages Jingle to playFosterKittenMama
Given a second chance, the little cat family thrives in foster families. Mittens never has to worry about food and shelter or go through another pregnancy.
This winter they are cozy and content with full bellies, lots of toys and friendly people to shower them with love.
FosterKittenMama
Share this story with your friends. More about Mittens, her kittens and Foster Kitten Mama on Instagram and Facebook.
Related Story: Woman Bought House, Inherited Cat, Soon After Bringing Her In, Found Kittens
