Rescued Mama Kitty Saves Two Litters as Surrogate, Plus Her Own

Meet Izabelle, the beautiful Momma cat that nursed 14 kittens and is will soon be looking for her own forever home. (All photos: Best Friends Society New York)

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When people don’t take the time and care to neuter and spay their pets, a myriad of problems can ensue, including litters of kittens. Sadly, while many may think that kittens are easy enough to adopt when dropped off at a shelter, that is not the case. This kind of thinking is what landed Izabelle and her own kittens in such a place.

According to Best Friends Society New York, “Izabelle was surrendered by her family to Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), along with 14 kittens of various ages she was nursing at the time. She had been living with two other female cats in a very full house before coming to ACC. In fact, three cats in the home ― including Izabelle ― gave birth to litters of kittens around the same time. Her fellow new mothers, however, were finding it difficult to nurse their babies, so Izabelle did it for them.”

Fortunately for Izabelle and all the kittens, Best Friends stepped in. The staff recognized how tired the poor Momma cat was and were able to get her fluids for hydration and a little R&R away from the kids, following a visit with the vet.

The vet applauded Izabelle for her good work, the kittens all being healthy. With some of the kittens being old enough for weening they were moved to wet food with a pair becoming bottle fed, and two more going into a fosters home, leaving eight for which she had to care.  No doubt a relief for the big-hearted cat.

“Izabelle saved the lives of these kittens, and now we are stepping in to help her,” says Shannon Kirkman, Best Friends foster and adoptions coordinator in New York, who will never forget the look on Izabelle’s face when she first saw her lying in the box, surrounded by hungry kittens. Shannon says, “It was the look of an exhausted mom who just needs a break.”

Best Friends is looking to get all the kittens into good homes when they are ready and are particularly eager to have Izabelle get the wonderful home she deserves. Well done, Izabelle.

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