A blind kitten who was rejected by his litter, found someone he loved. They came back for him and turned his life around. Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat Kerry Denman from London, England visited a litter of kittens that were looking for homes. She went to spend some cuddle time with the kitties without the intention to adopt.Soon after she arrived, she noticed a tiny gray and white kitten singled out by himself, nesting alone on top of a laundry basket. "He'd been rejected by his mama, and his litter mates had pushed him out," Kerry told Love Meow. The kitty was born blind with patellar luxation and skeletal abnormalities. "When I first picked him up, he kind of just curled up into a ball in my hand. And then I stroked his head and he relaxed." Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat Kerry went home after the visit but couldn't stop thinking about the little blind kitten. By the second day, she knew it was time to head back and bring the little guy home. She named him Louie the Blind Cat. "I went to see a litter of kittens, just to feed my need for cuddles, never actually intending to take any home with me..." But then Louie found her. Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat The kitty quickly settled into his new abode and adjusted to change with flying colors. "His first day home was nerve-wracking for me. But for him, he didn't show any signs of being scared. He was exploring straight off," Kerry told Love Meow. "He just went about himself like he'd always been with me." Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat "I remember early on when other people were in the room. He'd be a little nervous and would follow my voice and just sit near me. I think, he felt safe with me from the beginning."Louie loves toys that make noise. Despite having no sight, he enjoys scampering around the room and has his fair share of zoomie moments. Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat "He follows us around, and he doesn't like to be left out of action. He'll always be wanting to know what's going on," Kerry said."He purrs a lot and is very specific with cuddles. He will lie between my legs when I'm in bed." Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat "I think his senses and his whiskers combined just work together so well that his lack of sight isn't such a game changer. Obviously, it would be different if he were on the streets. In an environment that he knows and stays constant, he's fine."Watch Louie in action in this adorable video: Louie the blind cat Over the next several years, Louie blossomed into a beautiful, fluffy cat. Though he's had numerous health issues, he's never stopped living life to the fullest.Louie the little supervisor on duty! Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat "His nature is so happy and calm. His will to live is strong. He hasn't had the best amount of luck in the world but he just keeps going." Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat "Cats like Louie aren't so different to a cat that's not blind. Caring for Louie has been so rewarding because I've got to witness the strength and resilience that cats have when faced with what we perceive as limitations," Kerry told Love Meow.Louie doesn't let anything stop him from doing what he loves. He's just as playful and adventurous as any other cats. Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat "When I think how easy he was with me right from the very first day, he definitely chose me." Kerry Denman @louie_blind_cat Share this story with your friends. Follow .Related story:

A resident from New Jersey heard meowing coming from a yard. To their surprise, a little feline family had made their home there. Whitney Malin from South Orange, New Jersey was contacted about a litter of newborn kittens and their mom living in someone's yard in the neighboring town of Maplewood."They heard that I do rescue and reached out to me via Facebook. When I went to check it out, they were three days old. The mom is feral," Whitney told Love Meow.The cat kept her babies in a nest made of twigs and garbage. Since the kittens were nursing, Whitney decided to leave them there with their mom. She came back with a humane trap, trying to rescue the mother along with her kittens, but getting the feral mama was quite a challenge. Whitney Malin The cat successfully avoided the trap for almost two weeks. Whitney refused to give up and checked on the little family every day, making sure they were well. When the kittens were 16 days old, the momma cat finally caved into the food in the trap and walked right in. Whitney Malin Whitney scooped up the kittens from the nest and took the little family of four to the vet."Momma tested negative for FELV and FIV. She was vaccinated and treated for fleas. The babies were 0.5 lbs each," Whitney said. Whitney Malin Whitney brought them home to foster so the tabby cat could have a quiet, safe place to raise her kittens, where food and comfort are bountiful."She is fierce and protective, but so very scared. For the first week or so when I would sit with her, her breathing was fast and labored. The vet said it was stress," Whitney told Love Meow. Whitney Malin "I named them after famous artists - Mama is Frida Kahlo. The three boys are Vincent Van Gogh (black), Leonardo Da Vinci (tabby) and Picasso (gray tabby)."Watch their rescue journey in this video: Feral cat and her kittens rescued from yard Whitney made the foster room as comfortable as possible and gave Mama space to concentrate on nursing and caring for her kittens.Over the next several days, Mama Frida calmed down and was able to enjoy her little hut with her kittens. Whitney Malin "She still hisses and spits at me especially when she is nursing, but I can also see that she has calmed down," Whitney added.They will be spayed and neutered once the kittens are big enough, but as of now, the little ones still have a lot of growing to do. Whitney Malin At four weeks old, the little bundles of fur are starting to walk and explore. Their playful and adventurous side has been unleashed since they discovered their first toy.They adore their foster family and are loving their indoor, cushy life. Whitney Malin Share this story with your friends. Follow .Related story:

A tiny runt clung to her sister after they were found as newborns at a school. A foster home turned their lives around. Nikki MartinezEarly March, , an animal rescuer/foster based in Las Vegas, was contacted about two kittens needing help. A litter of newborn kittens were located at a school in Nevada. Their mother was nowhere to be found. Staff decided to work as a team to bottle feed the feline babies. An employee took the little runt along with a gray kitten that she was clinging to.That night, she was up every two hours feeding the kittens and quickly realized that she would need a lot more help to ensure the little ones' survival. Nikki MartinezNikki took them into her care the next day and offered to set up a trap at the school to find the mother cat. The kittens were named Ponch (black) and Jon (gray) (at the time, they were thought to be boys).Soon, it was apparent that the runt was struggling. While her sister had a great appetite, Ponch had a hard time taking to syringe feedings and had to be tube-fed around the clock. Nikki Martinez"We were previously trained by our vet on how to tube feed kittens," Nikki said. "Ponch fought me when I tried to get her to swallow any formula down. Tube feeding gave her a chance at life that she would not have otherwise had."Ponch was still 50 grams less than her sister, but was starting to put on weight steadily. Nikki MartinezIt was raining for several days after the kittens were found. "This baby would have never survived living outside. I can only imagine what life would have been like in the rain while struggling to keep up with nursing."Nikki continued to look for their cat mom, hoping to get her spayed so to stop the cycle. Nikki Martinez"I still have traps that I set and check daily at the location the babies were found. I've caught three cats there, but not their mother. Those cats are now spayed/neutered."Both Ponch and Jon are doing fantastic and growing like weeds! A little bit of lack of sleep is just a minor inconvenience for me but it means their life." Nikki Martinez"They are just a little bit developmentally behind… Every kitten develops at their own pace," Nikki added.Watch their journey in this video: Kittens found at a school - foster journey "They are healthy, growing, starting to wrestle and play, and I'm thrilled they made it this far!" Nikki MartinezAt five weeks old, the two sisters became more playful and adventurous. While the gray kitty tried to crawl up her foster mom's pant leg, the runty girl just wanted to be held and cuddled."She's more of the snuggly lap kitty." Nikki Martinez"Kitten season is hitting us hard here in Las Vegas and everywhere else that the temperature is warm," Nikki said. "Rescues and shelters are being flooded with motherless kittens coming in. If you are able to bottle-feed, contact your local cat rescue or shelter and let them know that you would like to help." Nikki MartinezAt seven weeks old, both kittens have graduated from their bottles, and even learned to wash their faces after meal time. Little Ponch follows her sister everywhere she goes, playing in the sunbeams and thriving. Nikki MartinezShare this story with your friends. Follow and .Related story:

No one expected this little tortie kitten to survive, but she surprised them all with her incredible will to live. @mirathemiraclekitty Tara Seignue, a volunteer of brought home a feline family of three (a cat mom and two kittens) to foster. The kittens were in poor shape with respiratory and eye infections. "Mira (the tortie) came to me as a foster at four weeks old with her mom and sister. I could see she was special from the start. She had twisty folded front paws and a prominent upward grin," Tara told Love Meow. "The kittens were very sick and not expected to live. I was basically asked to bring them home so they could pass in comfort instead of a cage. After two days, her sister passed and it was just her and her mom." @mirathemiraclekitty Tara had to syringe feed the kitten who was too weak to nurse. After two months of round-the-clock feedings, daily steam baths to clear her nose and airway, and countless sleepless nights, the kitten began to perk up.Mira went through many health issues and needed her foster mom's undivided attention. The little fighter never gave up. @mirathemiraclekitty "I gave her steam baths and showers to try and help her breathe and stayed with her every night, with her sleeping on my chest. A couple times Mira stopped breathing but I got her back," Tara said."When she started trying to walk, it was apparent she was wobbly. She was diagnosed with Cerebellar Hypoplasia."(Scroll down for video) @mirathemiraclekitty Being a bit clumsy never seems to bother her. Mira loves to play, throwing herself into her favorite tunnel toy and claiming every cat bed she can get her paws on."She loves tunnels, cat caves or houses. Anything she can throw herself into and roll around in." @mirathemiraclekitty "She's never been a 'normal' cat but had all of her 'first' cat moments — her first purr, first steps, first time eating on her own and self grooming. These milestones may have been delayed but she reached them, and each one truly was a miracle, hence her name," Tara told Love Meow.With each passing day, the little miracle kitty crept her way into her foster mom's heart. @mirathemiraclekitty By Christmas, Mira started to gain weight and was finally healthy enough to be spayed and look for her forever home, but the tortie girl knew she had already found it. Tara picked her up that day with her adoption paper already filled out, officially making Mira part of her family. "It was the happiest day. I actually cried." @mirathemiraclekitty Mira may always need some special accommodations but she is just a typical cat who loves to play and create antics around the house.Watch Mira's journey in this video: Wobbly kitten grows up to be happiest cat "She has a signature move she started as a baby which seems to have stuck with her — she sticks her tongue out, almost all the time! There's no medical reason. It's just a quirk." @mirathemiraclekitty "She is the most facially expressive cat I've ever seen/known in my life. She is like a child," Tara said. "Mira loves being with me. The only time she really meows is if I leave her in a separate room for a few minutes!"The sweet tortie adores other cats and her dog brother Paco who has been her protector since day one. "She also loves to play with other foster kittens although in small doses as they definitely give her a run for her money." @mirathemiraclekitty "We continue to work on her walking, practicing every day. She never gives up. She'll get where she wants to go, just flips and flops, taking a little longer to get there. Nothing will keep this girl down," Tara told Love Meow."I've seen stories of animal survival but never known or seen it first hand until her. Her perseverance and determination are a wonder. She really is an inspiration. She is the most unique, quirky cat I've ever known." @mirathemiraclekitty "Mira is the happiest and most spoiled kitty. She takes a little extra care but she deserves it," Tara said. "With everything she's gone through, she is a true Miracle." @mirathemiraclekitty Share this story with your friends. Follow .Related story:

A tabby cat showed up outside someone's home. When she saw the door open, she snuck right in and decided to stay. Sara Zoe @sarazoekittensA couple of months ago, a stray cat wandered into a neighborhood in Queens, New York. A resident, who regularly cares for the neighborhood cats, was outside of her house when the tabby appeared.She saw the kitty dart right past her into her house and quickly make herself comfortable on the basement floor. The woman couldn't say no to the little feline visitor and let her spend the night as the weather was cold outside. The cat returned two weeks later and surprised the family when the homeowner found a litter of newborn kittens in her shoe rack. Turned out, the tabby chose her home to have kittens. Sara Zoe @sarazoekittensThe woman immediately reached out to and asked if they could help. , a volunteer of the rescue, took them home to foster. She named the cat Magnolia aka Maggie.Shortly after they settled in, Sara realized that the momma cat needed more help than they had anticipated. Sara Zoe @sarazoekittens"She got a bad infection with a fever of 105 degrees (40.6°C). Her health started declining and had to be hospitalized for almost a week," Sara told Love Meow.The kittens were very young and needed to be fed around the clock. They were not taking well to the bottle at first and had to be tube-fed while Mama Maggie was away. Sara Zoe @sarazoekittens"Mama luckily made a full recovery but because she wasn't making as much milk after being away from the kittens for so long, I had to keep bottle feeding," Sara said. "She and I made a great team. The babies gained weight and were getting proper nutrition." Sara Zoe @sarazoekittensThe tabby mom is very affectionate toward her foster parents and loves to talk to them and ask for attention and pets.Watch their foster journey in this video: Rescued cat and her kittens in foster care "Mama Magnolia is a fiercely loving mama who adores her saplings as we've begun to call them. She is chatty and purrs very loudly, especially when she gets talked to and petted!" Sara Zoe @sarazoekittens"Her favorite thing to do is cuddle right next to us as we watch TV," Sara told Love Meow. "Two of her kittens (Ash and Juniper) got adopted today. And there are applications in for everyone else too! Mama is expected to go to her new home in May." Sara Zoe @sarazoekittensShare this story with your friends. Follow updates on .Related story:

A stray cat showed up in a neighborhood in Lakewood, California and befriended someone who was kind to her. Friends for Life Rescue NetworkNoemi Camacho came across a little stray from around her house. She offered some food and water, and the feline friend returned for more. Their bond began to grow, and then early this month, she noticed that the cat was pregnant and needed help.Soon after she brought her home from the alleyway, the cat started going into labor and gave birth to four little kittens. While Noemi was checking on the newborns, she was surprised to find one kitten with a twisty leg and another with only three limbs. She reached out to her community, knowing that this little family would need more help than she could provide. Friends for Life Rescue NetworkJacqueline DeAmor, co-founder of , came across the plea and immediately responded. "She asked a friend to find a rescue, and I so happened to see the post on Facebook," Jacqueline told Love Meow.The cat mom whom they named Nymeria, was a bit shy and nervous upon arrival at Friends for Life RescueNetwork. She let her rescuers examine her babies under her watchful eyes. "She's a fiercely protective mama. She watches me very carefully when I'm handling them, and takes them back after I'm done weighing them." Troy with a twisty legFriends for Life Rescue NetworkJacqueline started Troy, the kitten with a twisty leg, on physical therapy. "The tendons are too short and too tight. By massaging and stretching, we are able to hopefully stretch everything out permanently."Over the next few days, his little leg began to improve as Jacqueline continued his daily treatment under the cat momma's supervision. Friends for Life Rescue Network"After some massaging, I can get the leg and toes into a normal position and keep massaging to get the muscles to relax. The goal is to keep massaging multiple times a day to re-train those tendons to hold everything in a proper way," Jacqueline said.Watch their journey in this video: Stray cat finds someone to help her and her kittens As for the 3-legged wonder, Gunther, he is starting to move around the nursery pen just like his siblings. Missing a leg doesn't seem to slow him down. Gunther, the 3-legged kittyFriends for Life Rescue NetworkThe cat mom is beaming with pride with her kittens napping away in the comfort of a loving foster home."She loves them so much and is constantly doting on them. At first, I had to feed her in her nursing box because she wouldn't leave to eat," Jacqueline told Love Meow. "Now she purrs when I enter and rubs on my legs. She loves chin scratches." Friends for Life Rescue NetworkShe came back to the person who was kind to her and got help just in time. Her kittens were born in a safe home instead of outside in the alleyway. Friends for Life Rescue NetworkThe tiny bundles of fur are thriving! Friends for Life Rescue NetworkShare this story with your friends. Follow updates on this adorable family on and .Related story:

A stray cat and her litter of three were brought in to a shelter in Houston, Texas. Two of the kittens came with just three paws. Laura HernandezStaff at Barc Animal Shelter (in Houston, Texas) reached out to their partner rescuers at in Denver, Colorado as the kittens needed special care. "They called us and let us know that they received a mother and litter in that included two kittens that had part of their left back leg missing. This could have been from a bite or getting caught in something," Anna Suda of RMFR told Love Meow. The rescue recognized the urgency of their condition and offered to take them so they could start them on treatment and provide medical attention they desperately needed. Barc Animal Shelter "At this time, the kittens were only two weeks old roughly. We wanted to ensure we could get started on treating and caring for them immediately."After the family of four arrived at RMFR, their Foster Coordinator took them home to work out a regimen on their treatment. They would be transferred to a long-term foster once they were stable. Laura HernandezThe cat momma, Caress, was glad to get some help. "The mother was super focused on caring for them but also fine with us handling her babies. She's a great mother."The kittens (Crissy, Crawford, Cassidy) have a lot of growing to do. Despite missing a paw, Crissy and Crawford don't let anything stop them. Laura HernandezThe 3-pawed kitties will undergo surgery on their impacted limbs to prevent infections once they are big enough.Laura Hernandez, a foster volunteer, stepped up to be their caretaker for the rest of their foster journey and recovery after surgery. Laura HernandezCrissy and Crawford are playful and rambunctious just like any 4-legged kitten. "The two babies with a missing leg walk and play around like normal. They're a bit more clumsy but they're getting a hang of things," Laura told Love Meow.Watch this little family in this adorable video: Cat and her kittens (2 with 3 paws) find second chance at life "All the kittens love getting picked up and pet. As of right now, their eyes are slowly changing colors. We can't wait to see what their permanent colors will be!" Laura Hernandez"Momma is very affectionate with people, she loves to show off her babies and purr loudly every time you pet her."She is teaching her babies skills - how to be a big kitty. The trio follows in their mom's paw-steps, growing in size and feline wisdom. Laura Hernandez"Once they have their surgery (and are spayed/neutered), they will go back into foster for two weeks until they are fully healed. They will then be ready for adoption."This special little family is now thriving in foster care thanks to their rescuers who went the extra mile to save them so they could all have a chance at a forever home. Laura HernandezShare this story with your friends. Follow .Related story:

A family was surprised to find a litter of kittens in their chicken coop. The cat mom had brought them there to keep them safe. Here Kitty Kitty Rescue Last week, in Elkhart, Indiana received a call about four kittens found in a chicken coop. A stray cat had moved them there to protect them from coyotes."The finder did not even know there was a cat on their property. When they went to their chicken coop, they found the poor momma attacked by a coyote and the babies still in the chicken coop," Missy of Here Kitty Kitty Rescue told Love Meow. "They called their vet when they found the orphaned babies, and their vet recommended they call us. Of course, we agreed to help!" Here Kitty Kitty Rescue Sadly, the cat mom didn't survive, but she left behind four kittens that were completely protected inside the chicken coop. "The kittens were rescued by a wonderful lady and were bottle fed until she could get them into our rescue," Missy said.Jennifer Gillispie, founder of Here Kitty Kitty Rescue, took them home to foster and started round-the-clock feedings. The little tabbies took to their bottles like champs and began to show affection toward their caretakers. Here Kitty Kitty Rescue Around the same time, the rescue took in three other orphaned kittens that came from their local Humane shelter. Two of them are siblings, and the little tabby joined them after he was found by himself. The kitten who was found aloneHere Kitty Kitty Rescue They are around the same age and size as the chicken coop kittens. The rescue decided to put them together to see if they would accept each other. Here Kitty Kitty Rescue The litter of four snuggled right up to their new litter mates and began rumbling with their adorable purrs, forming the cutest little purr symphony. Despite being from different mothers, the kittens get along swimmingly and have become one big family."They get along perfectly. They all love each other," Missy said. Here Kitty Kitty Rescue At 3.5 weeks old, the kitties are starting to explore, exercise their little legs and wrestle and tumble with each other.Now, the litter of four has expanded into an adorable patchwork family of seven. Here Kitty Kitty Rescue Follow these kitties' updates on . Watch this cute video: Rescued kittens - one big family Share this story with your friends. Related story:

Three kittens were saved from a burned house. Their rescuer didn't stop there. She went back to find their remaining sibling. The Cat House on the Kings Early Saturday morning, was contacted by the Fresno Fire Department personnel about a litter of kittens trapped in the wreckage of a burned structure. "There was a duplex fire in Fresno, California. A total of 40 firefighters were called to the scene in order to put out the fire," Harvie Schreiber of the Cat House on the Kings told Love Meow. "Fire personnel contacted us because there were kittens meowing in the wreckage." Cindy Unruh, a volunteer of the Cat House, immediately rushed to the location to aid in the search for the kittens. The Cat House on the Kings With help from the neighbors, they found three tiny kittens huddled up together in the wreckage. They were wet from the water used to put out the fire. Once Cindy got them in a box, she was on her way back to the rescue. "She was soon headed 40 minutes away to the Cat House." The Cat House on the Kings A few hours later, another call came in when a fourth kitten had been located at the burned duplex. Cindy wasted no time and rushed back to find the remaining sibling.After some hisses, the 4th kitty was finally in the safe hands of the rescuer. The Cat House on the Kings The little gray kitty was so happy to be reunited with the rest of the litter. "The kittens are bottle babies and arrived scared, hissy, wet, a bit sooty and smelling like smoke from the fire," Harvie told Love Meow.After getting a full belly, the kitties quickly warmed up to the staff and volunteers. The Cat House on the Kings Cindy is working with the kind neighbors to find and trap the mother cat, hoping to reunite her with her kittens. Meanwhile, Jacky Dominguez, a vet tech at the Cat House, is fostering the little family."They have been nicknamed the 'Lil Smokies.'" The Cat House on the Kings "Despite their rough start in life, the kittens are doing well in foster care. They are drinking mostly kitten formula and enjoying some play time with a few toys," Jacky told Love Meow. "They don't seem to have any injury from the fire and are very happy kittens." The Cat House on the Kings The four little bundles of fur are loving their warm beds, new toys and plenty of cuddles from their human friends. The Cat House on the Kings Share this story with your friends. Follow and . If you would like to support their rescue efforts, .Related story:

This little kitten was born very special. He is determined to live and thrive. Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue Rachel Lienemann, director of , was contacted about a special needs kitten, who had been born to a stray cat at a shelter. His sibling didn't make it, but he was hanging in there, fighting to live. "We take in special needs animals throughout Texas. We focus on the underdog," Rachel told Love Meow. "He has a cleft in the front of his hard palate, a unilateral cleft lip, and he was born without a functional nose and is most likely missing his right eye." Rachel took him in and immediately started tube-feeding him every hour around the clock. The little guy whom they named baby Voldemort or Voldy, took to his feedings like a champ and put on 0.7 ounces overnight. Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue "I kept telling myself, 'if he lives through the first 24 hours, I will be more hopeful,' then it became 'if he lives to be a week old, I'm sure he will make it,'" Rachel added. Little Voldy moved around his bedding, meowed whenever he wanted food, showing a lot of vitality and signs as a bubbly newborn. Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue "He is sassy. If I am even a couple minutes late to feed him at night he will let me know. He absolutely loves belly rubs," Rachel said. "The fact that he is gaining weight and active shows us that he is a fighter. He wants to live, too." Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue Within a week, the little tabby boy went from weighing 63 grams to well over 100 grams. His lungs sounded clear, and his energy simply soared. "Every day has been a milestone," Rachel told Love Meow. "He wants everyone to know that he is not going anywhere." Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue They are working closely with veterinarians to explore options when it comes to his nasal breathing. "He breathes through his cleft lip but with his mouth closed. We have more than one vet researching options for him now," she said. "They have assessed him and believe that he has hope of a good future." Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue "Cleft palate babies should never be allowed to nurse or be bottle fed as they will aspirate and die quickly. Tube-feeding is the only way to save them. Not many people know how or are comfortable tube feeding, which is one of the reasons we started getting these cleft palate babies," Rachel told Love Meow. "There is a huge lack of awareness that they can thrive with the right TLC. They need to be in the hands of an experienced rescuer and they too, can thrive." Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue Little Voldy just turned one week today. He's doing very well and continues to make strides every day. "We are going to do everything we can to get this baby boy to have a good quality of life." Fuzzy Texan Animal Rescue Follow . Watch his journey in this video: Kitten born special gets a second chance at life Share this story with your friends. Related story:

A little scrawny kitten was given a new lease on life when a family took him home and nursed him back to health. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfostersPuck the kitten and his brother were brought in to North Central Animal Shelter in Los Angels after they were picked up as strays. They were both in poor shape, and Puck's brother sadly lost his fight., a local rescue group, took Puck into their care and transported him to a foster home so he could get a chance at a better life. "He was underweight, lethargic and severely anemic due to being completely covered in fleas," Sarah, a foster volunteer of the rescue, told Love Meow.Sarah and her 11-year-old son, Remy, worked together to nurse the little guy back from the brink. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfostersThe tabby boy was just skin and bones and too weak to eat on his own. The mother and son team kept him hydrated with fluids and syringe-fed him every few hours.After 48 hours of round-the-clock care, little Puck bounced back. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfosters"He ate a little out of my hand and drank a little bowl of KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) all on his own. He was also showing a lot more energy and signs of playfulness."A few days later, Puck was back on his paws, walked right up to his food bowl and started chowing down on his meal all by himself. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfosters"He started eating on his own for the first time and started playing for the first time. This little man has come such a long way in just a few days," Sarah said.With his new-found energy, Puck began to gravitate toward his foster family and follow them around the house, cuddling, purring and playing. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfosters He asked for more cuddle sessions as he got bigger and stronger. Soon, he figured out his favorite napping spot - a warm lap.Watch Puck's journey in this adorable video: Rescued kitten at foster home Puck adores everyone, especially Remy. Every time he tries to do his homework, the little tabby comes running to offer some "help." Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfostersThe tabby has really blossomed in foster care. He's gone from that scrawny, sick kitty to now a pudgy, playful love-bug. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfostersRemy has a soft spot for kitties in need. Whenever Puck wants cuddles, he's always there to offer them. Little Puck is now ready for his next chapter of life - a forever loving home. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfostersThey gave the kitty a second chance at life, and he turned into an adorable cuddle-bug, showering everyone with affection and purrs. Sarah And Remy @cuddlecrewfostersShare this story with your friends. Follow . Related story:

A very timid pregnant cat was curled up in a corner at the shelter until someone saw her and turned her life around. Mini Cat Town Kitten RescueA pregnant cat was brought in to a shelter in Central California, needing rescue. She was very shy, sitting in the back of her kennel, trying to hide. She was thought to be feral and placed in a room full of other animals, due to limited space.When Dr. Rudiger of saw the frightened feline sitting alone in the corner of her cage, she knew she had to help her. "Her defensive body language - flattened ears, hunched body posture and fearful eyes were so misleading," Nine Lives Foundation said. "The constant noise of barking puppies/dogs from kennels nearby caused her to retreat, shying away from human touch - thereby 'acting feral.'" Nine Lives FoundationDr. Rudiger pulled her from the facility and took her to Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City, California. immediately offered to foster, so the momma would be able to raise her kittens in the comfort of a loving home.They named her Kate, and she spent the first couple of days hiding underneath a couch. But with each passing day, her confidence grew.(Scroll down for video) Mini Cat Town Kitten Rescue"We would leave food for her and sit there with her while she ate. She warmed up to us after we spent some time with her," Thoa Bui of Mini Cat Town told Love Meow. "It took about a week of quiet time in the kitten room before she started to get really comfortable with us."When that happened, Kate just blossomed. She snuggled right up to her foster mom and purred up a storm. Mini Cat Town Kitten Rescue"She's adorable, has an inordinately stubby tail… She has really come out of her shell. She comes up to us for pets, loves attention, and purrs endlessly."A couple of weeks later, Kate gave birth to five beautiful, healthy kittens — three boys and two girls. Mini Cat Town Kitten RescueShe jumped right into her role as a doting cat mom, nursing and caring for her babies around the clock. Soon, it became clear that her milk supply was low and she would need extra help.Watch Kate's rescue journey in this video: Shy cat rescued from shelter really comes around Thoa and her sisters immediately started supplementing the babies with kitten formula. "She gave birth a little early and not all of her milk had come in yet. So every few hours, we crawled into the crate to help her feed them," Thoa said. Mini Cat Town Kitten RescueEvery time they came in to feed the babies, Mama Kate would knead away with her happy paws and fill the room with purrs. Over the next few days, the kittens really packed on the grams."Kate is very attentive and takes really good care of them. We'll weigh the kittens, and when they meow, she will come out and carry them back into their bed." Mini Cat Town Kitten Rescue"Everyone is doing well, nursing, gaining weight, and getting furrier. Kate is eating a ton and her milk has finally come in," Thoa told Love Meow. Mini Cat Town Kitten Rescue All it took was a quiet room and a little kindness, and Kate came out of her shell and blossomed.Look at her now! Mini Cat Town Kitten RescueShare this story with your friends. Follow and .Related story:

Mange is a type of condition in cats that causes lesions, hair loss, scratching and scales on the skin. Compared to dogs the condition is rare in domestic cats but still needs your attention because if ignored, the disease can be a reason behind the irritation in cats. The disease is caused by mites that are usually present on the cat’s skin and hair follicles. Generally, cat’s immune system is able to control the mite infestation but in some cases, if the infestation of mites increases rapidly they can cause mild to severe skin infections. Hence to make sure that your cat is immune from this disease caused by the mites you need to more about the disease, its symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention. Causes Of Different Types of Mange Mange in cats is of different types and is caused by different type of mites. Demodectic mange is caused when the mites (Demodex cati or Demodex gatoi) proliferate and the immune system of the cat is unable to control the infestation.Demodex cati is difficult to find and can be seen clinically in the hair follicles of any healthy cat as a part of cutaneous flora whereas Demodex gatoi has a round tail and lives in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. Demodex gatoi is also found to be contagious to other cats. Once considered as a rare condition in cats, Feline Demodicosis is becoming more common nowadays. However, fortunately, the symptoms of this disease are not severe in cats. Sarcoptic Mange – A type of mange that is again very infrequent in cats but has severe repercussions once the disease infects your cat. Caused by Sarcoptes scabiei Mite, these mites are oval in shape and are microscopic. Sarcoptes scabiei Notoedric mange is also referred to as feline scabies because it is similar to Sarcoptic Mange and is caused by Notoedres cati. These mites cause severe and highly contagious skin infections in cats, on the face and in and around ears which then spreads to the rest of the body. Notoedres cati Symptoms And Diagnosis Of The Mange Symptoms like red skin, lesions, irritation, itching, patchy hair loss, and restlessness infect the face and ear, and later on, it infects the whole body if not treated. Symptoms generally become visible after a week of your cat getting infected with the disease. For diagnosis of this disease, vets will use a skin scrapping method and perform a microscopic study to corroborate the presence of mites. However, in some cases, if the mites bury themselves deep into the skin, this makes difficult for the vet to identify these parasites. Therefore, in these circumstances, vets diagnose the disease by observing the clinical signs and history of your cat. Treatment Of Mange In Cats Mange in cats is usually self-limiting and is cured by the cat’s defense system. But if your kitty’s defense is weak then the infection becomes severe and the treatment is needed to support the body to fight against infections. Your vet will prescribe treatments like Frontline Spray, Frontline Plus, Serest Collar and many more that aid in the eliminating the mites that cause Sarcoptic Mange. Also, your vet may also suggest you buy other relief treatments like Essential 6 shampoos, Homeopet skin, and itch relief and HP Healing cream that help in suppressing the symptoms (itching, lesions, and bad hair quality and hair loss) caused by Mange disease. Prevention Of Mange In Cats To prevent mange you need to keep your cat healthy so that the immune system of your cat is able to control the infestation of mites naturally. Keep your cat hygienic and away from shady and damp places where parasites thrive. Make sure that you don’t expose your cat to an infected cat because the disease is contagious especially Sarcoptic Mange. Keep your cat under the monthly flea and tick treatment that also treats and prevents mite infestations. Can Humans Catch Mange From Cats? Well, you need not to worry more because of demodectic mange not contagious to humans because Demodex mites cannot survive on hosts of other species. On the other hand, sarcoptic mange is contagious to humans but doesn’t last for a long period and also it is self-limiting and the symptoms are less severe. Hope the information is helpful for you. Ensure that you keep your cat under parasite control program throughout the year. This will relieve you and your cat from unwanted health issues and vet visits. The post appeared first on .

A kitten who became the sole survivor of his litter, found a new family with three feline sisters. Jin's Bottle Babies Smokey, a gray kitten, was found in a backyard along with his siblings — one of them had passed and the other was fading. A local TNR (trap-neuter-return) rescuer wasted no time and started bottle feeding the remaining two kittens until they found them a foster home. Shelbi Uyehara of in Arizona took them into her care. Overnight, Smokey put on 18 grams. "He started purring early. Like the first day we got him, he already had a ferocious purr. That's always a good sign to me," Shelbi told Love Meow.Despite their very best effort, Smokey's brother Bandit lost his fight. The little gray kitty became a singleton, constantly seeking attention and love. He clutched onto his snuggly teddy bear every day and night after feedings. Jin's Bottle Babies While Smokey continued to grow bigger and stronger, it was clear that he really missed having a sibling around. Their resident cat Nitro came to offer a helping paw to keep him clean and groomed. A few days later, three feline sisters (Ana, Kristina, and Daniela) were brought in after they were rescued from a difficult situation. The kittens were covered in dust and needed help to clear their airways. Jin's Bottle Babies After many days of round-the-clock care, the trio bounced back, put on a lot of weight and were meowing and moving around like champs.Meanwhile, Smokey had blossomed into an adorable bundle of fluff, but they knew he needed a friend to thrive. Shelbi made a decision to introduce him to the sisters and hoped they would accept him. Jin's Bottle Babies "I was really worried to put him in with them because they're much younger and smaller than him," Shelbi told Love Meow. But Smokey was determined to not be a singleton any more. He switched on his purr motor and was very gentle and sweet with his new friends. The sisters immediately gravitated toward him and rolled up on him for cuddles. Jin's Bottle Babies "At first it seems like they thought he was mom. He was so massive. But now he's taken the big brother role. They crawl all over him, and he just lays there on his back," Shelbi told Love Meow. "I think he's just happy to not be alone... He's happy to have friends."Watch his rescue journey in this video: Orphaned kitten finds 3 rescued kitties as family Smokey has become the protective little brother to his three sisters from another mother. He adores them and never leaves their side. Jin's Bottle Babies "Such a sweet relationship has developed in their playpen, and every time I go in there, they're all piled on top of each other." Jin's Bottle Babies Despite a rough beginning, little Smokey is thriving with his sisters and following them everywhere they go. Jin's Bottle Babies Share this story with your friends. Follow and .Related story:

The post by appeared first on . Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. I’m a big advocate for spay/neuter. It’s a crucial part of the equation for reducing the number of cats killed in shelters, and having your cat spayed or neutered improves , reducing the chances of injury and disease. But a lot of us encounter cat pregnancy at some point, whether through working at a clinic or shelter, an accidental liaison or deliberate breeding. So, how long are cats pregnant for and what should you expect week by week? Let’s look at the five stages of cat pregnancy: 1. Fertilization How long are cats pregnant for? Photography ©Doucefleur | iStock / Getty Images Plus. When answering the question “How long are cats pregnant?” let’s first discuss at what age . Cats reach sexual maturity as early as six months of age, with Oriental breeds generally reaching this stage the earliest. I’ve even heard of cats going into heat at five months old, which is a good reason to have your girl kitty spayed early. A , depending on how many toms successfully mate with the queen. The simple answer to”How long are cats pregnant?” is two months, or nine weeks. But that’s just an estimate. Depending on what source you consult, the answer to “How long are cats pregnant?” ranges from 58 to 72 days. 2. The early stage of cat pregnancy Another question you might have when thinking “How long are cats pregnant?” is — “Do cats get morning sickness?” You might be surprised to know that a cat can get morning sickness during the early stage of her pregnancy. For the first two weeks of her pregnancy, your cat may eat less because of the nausea, but by the third week she’ll start eating again and begin gaining weight. By the third week, you may be able to feel the lumps of her developing kittens. 3. The middle stage of cat pregnancy Now your cat starts gaining weight in earnest. The kittens are getting bigger, and depending on how many kittens she’s carrying, she may start looking like she swallowed a football. If you want to know how many kittens your cat is going to have, your vet may do an X-ray at this time. 4. Pre-labor Since the answer to “How long are cats pregnant?” isn’t an exact science, you might wonder how to tell when your cat is getting close to giving birth. The pre-labor stage starts about a week before your . Her nipples will be very visible at this point, and you may even see milk drops on them. She will start looking for warm and safe places to create a nest for her kittens. You can help her at this time by offering nesting boxes in the places she seems to prefer. Your cat will stop eating about two days before she goes into labor. 5. Labor and delivery It will be pretty obvious when your cat goes into labor. She’ll start licking her genitals and may even make noises of discomfort. If this is her first litter, she may pace and act anxious. She should give birth to her first kitten about an hour after labor starts. After that, the kittens should come every 15 to 20 minutes until the last one has been born. Generally, mom cat will clean up the kittens: She’ll lick them and eat the placentas to give her the extra nutrition she needs. Let her eat those placentas, even if you think it’s gross. There’s no need to panic or rush your cat to the vet when she goes into labor. Just keep an eye on things and make sure the delivery is progressing normally. The kittens need to be with their mothers for a minimum of eight weeks in order to be properly , but 12 weeks with mom is better. Once the babies are weaned, get your queen spayed as soon as possible. She can go into heat pretty quickly once she no longer has to nurse her kittens. Tell us: Did you know the answer to the question “How long are cats pregnant”? Have you had a pregnant cat or witnessed a cat give birth? What did you think? Thumbnail: Photography ©Doucefleur | iStock / Getty Images Plus. This piece was originally published in 2015. About the JaneA is the webmaster and chief cat slave for , an award-winning cat advice blog written by her cats, for cats and their people. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers’ Association, and has been a speaker at the BlogPaws and Cat Writers’ Association conferences. In addition to blogging about cats, JaneA writes contemporary urban fantasy, and whatever else strikes her fancy. Read more about cat pregnancy and cats in heat on Catster.com: The post by appeared first on . Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

A stray cat was found cuddling with her newborn kittens on a cold, rainy day. She kept them safe until help arrived. Athina @rukasthecat of Jersey Kitty Nonprofit (in New Jersey) received a message about a cat who had just given birth outside under the doorsteps. "The momma cat was protecting her babies. It was dreadful outside, cold and rainy," Athina told Love Meow. She immediately sent out a plea via social media and started looking for a foster home that would be able to take in this little family. After getting a couple of offers from volunteers, they began their rescue mission. "I went ahead and got out to the location to see what was going on. Momma was exactly where she had given birth. I put the babies inside the carrier and hoped she would go inside and stay with them, but she went in and started moving the babies back." Athina @rukasthecat After a quick look-around the neighborhood, they noticed a colony of cats living in the area. They were mostly ginger, and the number would only multiply as kitten season had already begun. "There were so many cats, and they were actively mating." Athina reached out to a local TNR (trap-neuter-return) rescuer, , to aid her in the process. Athina @rukasthecat "When Morgan showed up (with a humane trap), we placed the babies in the carrier and put them behind the trap with a blanket over it. Momma cat always stayed nearby. She knew where the babies were," Athina said.As she heard the kittens meowing, she slowly walked toward them and into the trap. "After three hours in the rain and cold, everyone was safe and sound." Athina @rukasthecat The rescue team breathed a sigh of relief knowing that this little family would not suffer another day on the street. "Once we got home, I let her relax and left her alone with her babies. Momma appeared to be feral so I did not want to stress her out. I made sure she had enough food for the night before I headed to bed," Athina told Love Meow. Athina @rukasthecat The next morning, as Athina went to check on the feline family, she was surprised by what she discovered — there was a fifth baby that hadn't been there the day before. Watch their rescue journey in this video: Stray cat and kittens found a second chance at life The cat mom was still in labor during the rescue, and had her last kitten in the comfort of a safe home. Some of these kittens might not have made it if they were left out in the rain. "Morgan and I will be heading back to spay and neuter the other cats to stop the cycle," Athina told Love Meow. Now, all five of them are snuggling comfortably next to their doting mama in a warm bed. Athina @rukasthecat "They have been at a foster home for a few days, and the cat momma seems to be much more comfortable. The babies are thriving." Athina @rukasthecat Share this story with your friends. Follow their . Related story:

This kitten was just the size of a tennis ball. He struggled to grow during the first four weeks of his life. Ellen Carozza @thecatlvtHamish the kitten was brought to along with his litter mates. He was stuck at five ounces while his siblings were well over one pound. Being less than 1/3 their size, the rescue knew he needed more help than they could provide."They reached out to me as he was not thriving in his current situation despite the care provided. They just could not get him to grow," Ellen Carozza, a Feline Licensed Veterinary Technician at told Love Meow.He was so small, missing hair on his tail and had a bloated belly that needed medical attention. Despite being a bit rough around the edges, the pocket-sized kitten had a strong meow and will to live. Ellen Carozza @thecatlvt"We started some further diagnostics to find out he had a GI (Gastro-Intestinal) infection and slow gut mobility. The vets at NOVA Cat started him on one of our critical kitten protocols for the issue," Ellen said.It took Hamish three days before he found his purr. As he felt better and more comfortable, he began to seek affection. Ellen Carozza @thecatlvt"He started to head boop, and now he knows I'm his person that cares for him and he loves to be in my pocket at work or on the couch in the evenings with us watching TV," Ellen told Love Meow.Hamish is so tiny and young. To keep him warm and comfy, he's placed in an incubator, which helps regulate his body temperature, when he naps. Ellen Carozza @thecatlvtEllen uses a toothbrush to groom the kitten as a way to emulate how a cat mother grooms her babies."Grooming is part of their emotional care, not just their physical needs. Just like a person who doesn't feel well, getting a bath or a shower is welcoming and feels good. Kittens thrive on comfort and care, and that includes grooming by the person providing care." Ellen Carozza @thecatlvtLittle Hamish comes to work with Ellen every day so he can be fed and cared for around the clock. "He eats about every three hours. He lets you know when he is hungry for sure," Ellen added."He gets to choose when he wants to eat solids on his own as his liquid diet is easier to digest with his condition. He has access to food and will eat when he is ready." Hamish the size of a soup spoonEllen Carozza @thecatlvtIn just a few days, little Hamish really blossomed. He met two other rescued kittens, Adorabelle and Tolliver, and they became instant friends.Watch Hamish's journey in this video: Tiny rescued kitten is determined to grow "Each day is a milestone for him in his personality blossoming. His favorite thing to do is eat and ride around in my scrub pocket." Ellen Carozza @thecatlvtToday, little Hamish weighed in at 10.5 ounces, more than doubled his weight from a week ago."He was sick, bloated, missing hair on his tail and had signs of a 'fever coat.' Despite his hard start, he is becoming a cat," Ellen told Love Meow. "He's learned how to purr, head boop, play with other kittens and enjoy being groomed." Ellen Carozza @thecatlvtThanks to at Nova Cat, rescued kittens like Hamish are able to receive the care they need to survive and thrive.The little bundle of fur is filling out Ellen's pocket nicely as he continues to make strides every day. Ellen Carozza @thecatlvtShare this story with your friends. Follow and .Related story:

A rescued cat mother met a tiny orphaned puppy. She immediately took to him as her own. Jenifer @mizz_rescue Charlie the pup was brought to a shelter in California City, needing rescue. quickly responded and arranged transport to get the baby pup to in Agoura Hills so he could receive medical attention he desperately needed.At just a few days old, Charlie came with an injured leg, which will require surgery in the future. He was given antibiotics to fight off infections and a lot of TLC after the ordeal.Jenifer Hurt, an experienced foster for neonatal kittens, took him home. "I've been bottle and tube feeding him for the past week. The most challenging part was trying to figure out how to care for him and what he needed," she told Love Meow. Jenifer @mizz_rescue "This is my first neonatal puppy so Dr. Carin Ferdowsian and Dr. Rachel Wallach have been teaching me a lot about how to properly care for this little guy."Charlie was fed every three hours and given pain meds and antibiotics. After overnight feedings, the little puppy gained a full ounce and began to perk up. Jenifer @mizz_rescue Two days later, the rescue took in six little newborn kittens along with their calico cat mom.After getting the mama vetted, they decided to try putting little Charlie with her to see if she would accept him. Jenifer @mizz_rescue Having a surrogate mom does wonders to an orphan's health and development. The cat mom started licking her new canine baby and instantly loving on him as her own. She wrapped her arms around him as he fell asleep on her. Jenifer @mizz_rescue "She is such a good mom. She accepted him right away. Charlie isn't nursing on her too much so I'm still having to bottle feed but he is absolutely loving the company," Jenifer told Love Meow.The little pup fit right into the litter and started snuggling with his new siblings. Jenifer @mizz_rescue After each bottle feeding, Mama comes right over to wash his face, making sure he is well taken care of. Little Charlie is so happy to have a doting mom who looks after him every step of the way. Jenifer @mizz_rescue Charlie had a great night sleep with his little family last night, in a purr-filled cuddle-puddle. Jenifer @mizz_rescue Today, he started opening his eyes to see for the first time.With help from his feline family, Charlie is thriving in foster care. Jenifer @mizz_rescue Follow and . Follow .Watch their journey in this cute video: Cat cares for orphaned puppy as her own Share this story with your friends.Related story:

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A stray kitten couldn't sit up straight or walk until someone brought her home to foster - it turned her life around. Joyce @kangaroothekitty Willow the kitten was four months old when she was brought to the San Jose Care Center, needing rescue. She was found on the streets with a wobbly walk and a head tilt. Amber Rose, founder of , reached out to the shelter and offered to take her in.Joyce, a foster volunteer of Saving Grace, picked her up from the facility. The kitty was dirty, very quiet and so weak that she could barely sit up."On our drive home, she warmed up to me after some chin and belly rubs. We noticed she didn't try to run and just plopped down wherever we put her because she had no energy," Joyce told Love Meow. Joyce @kangaroothekitty Willow spent most of her first day lying down and didn't want to touch her food bowl. She had to be fed by hand for two days. Joyce continued to shower her with love and offered treats to encourage her to eat."She didn't walk much as if her head was too heavy, but on the third day, she got better and wobbled to the food bowl after her morning massage," Joyce said. Willow spent most of her first day lying down.Joyce @kangaroothekitty They took her to the vet but couldn't get a clear diagnosis at the time. Willow had difficulty sitting up, standing, walking and keeping her head straight."The vet didn't know what was wrong with Willow but said she didn't have an upper respiratory infection or ear infection," Joyce said. "We don't know what happened to her before she was found, how she was found, etc.." Joyce @kangaroothekitty Despite her condition, Joyce and her husband were determined to get her back to health.When their resident cats and another foster kitty came to visit her, sweet Willow was curious and didn't mind new company. Joyce @kangaroothekitty Each day, Willow got a bit stronger and could stand up a little taller. A week later, she surprised the family when she got up from her bed and started running after a laser. "I was so very happy to see her chasing laser light," Joyce said. "We've been working with her daily to get her stronger." Joyce @kangaroothekitty As she gained more strength in her legs, she began to venture out of her room and even traveled to find her foster parents in their room.Watch Willow's journey in this adorable video: Stray kitten couldn't walk until she found a foster home The kitten who could barely sit up when she first arrived, has come a long way.Now, she enjoys exploring around the house and playing with toys. She can walk much more steadily and even run when she plays. Joyce @kangaroothekitty In just eight days in foster care, Willow has made incredible progress. "Now she comes out of her room to go to our room for love and cuddles," Joyce said. Joyce @kangaroothekitty Share this story with your friends. Follow and . Follow .Related story: