This mother cat adopts a little kitten different from hers and helps her to blossom and become strong.
This sweet little cat named Cleo was only 4 days old when she arrived at the Helen Woodward Animal Center rescue center. The little feline was a hairless sphynx, which was found starving and without a mother to care for her. Shelter staff, seeing her condition, feared the kitten would not survive.
Jessica Gercke, the shelter’s communications director, told The Dodo:
Cleo was very young when she arrived. Our vet immediately started bottle feeding her, but getting Cleo to drink was very slow. Ultimately, we knew she really needed to feed from a mother to have the best chance of survival. But we continue to do our best.
A cat adopts a little kitten who is different from her
Less than a week after Cleo came into the shelter’s care, a pregnant cat named Bellarina arrived. Shelter staff hoped the mom-to-be would welcome the little kitten into her family as soon as she gave birth, but they couldn’t be sure their idea would work.
Jessica recalls:
She gave birth three days after arriving, and seeing how well she was doing with her own kittens, we introduced her to Cleo. We knew Cleo, being hairless, would feel and smell differently than her own kittens, so we all crossed our fingers.
When Bellarina met Cleo, she immediately seemed to understand that the little kitten needed her help and love. The sweet feline didn’t care that Cleo was different and adopted her as another of his babies.
The shelter’s director of communications said:
She immediately became gentle with the kitten and favored her during the feed, turning to Cleo first and taking her with her mouth to make sure she had a good seat. He loved grooming her and caressing her. It was incredibly moving for all of us.
Traci Parker, Bellarina’s adoptive mother, remembers the feline continued to care for her fluffy kittens and Cleo, making sure they all received the same attention and care.
Tracy added:
She treated her the same as her other babies. I even kept an eye out for her as she looks different and needs a little more TLC. She was the best mom.
Because Cleo is different from other babies, the kitten needs help keeping warm and receives daily gentle baths and coconut oil massages from her adoptive mother. And thanks to Bellarina and Traci, Cleo is thriving and will soon be ready to find her forever.
Tracy says:
Cleo is curious and inquisitive. She loves to play with feather toys and with her siblings. She also loves her round, plush bed, which is super soft on her skin.
If you would like to know a little more about the work of the rescue center and its adoption processes, you can visit its website.
Images: Instagram / Helen Woodward Animal Center
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