A pregnant cat was left alone outside. She fawned over the people who helped her and waited until a stormy day to have kittens.
A tabby cat was left behind when her family was evicted. Heavily pregnant, she wandered the street with no place to take shelter.
A local animal rescuer noticed her situation and rushed to her aid. Believing the cat would give birth any day, she contacted Coastal Bend Cat Rescue (CBCR) and asked if they had any room in a foster home for her.
Despite being completely full, the CBCR team couldn’t bear leaving the cat outside. “One look at this sweet face had me cleaning out an extra bathroom and moving her in,” Mary Huckabee, a CBCR officer, told Love Meow.
Named Heathers, the expectant mother cat toured around her new space and began rearranging blankets in her nest. “That made us think she would have her babies any moment. Then, we waited and waited, and this really big girl got bigger and bigger.”
Back in her element, Heathers quickly blossomed, fawning over the people who let her into their home. “She wants pets and cuddles all day long. Two hands are better than one.”
When her carers entered the room, Heathers immediately made a beeline to them, brushing against them for pets. She was starved of affection, trying to make up for those days on the streets.
“She waited until a hurricane (Beryl) threatened the coastal bend to deliver her babies.”
Fortunately, her location escaped the worst impacts of the hurricane. Heathers brought six healthy kittens, all tabbies, safely into the world.
“Named Princess Bride, Footloose, Ghostbuster, Gremlin, Karate Kid, and ET, this tabby crew could pack a theater with their adorableness. They love to eat, sleep, and eat some more. We expect they will grow to be just as round as mama.”
Heathers worked around the clock to keep her kittens well-fed and clean. She kept a watchful eye on her mini-mes but was always delighted to take a break and receive attention from her humans.
In one week, the kittens were sporting rotund bellies, wiggling around the nest with newfound strength.
Before the kittens could see, they found their squeaky voices and used them unabashedly to demand their wants and needs.
Heathers gently wrapped them in her arms, doting on them tenderly. Despite what she’d been through, she remained a joyful soul, constantly purring and making “biscuits.”
As the kittens’ eyes opened and ears unfolded, their curiosity about the world around them grew.
They started waddling around, strengthening their legs, attempting to venture out of their comfy nest. Heathers kept her eyes peeled, making sure her littles wouldn’t wander far or get themselves into trouble.
“They have so many beautiful, different tabby patterns and spotted bellies. They are as chonky as their mom, who still looked quite stout even after delivering six babies. They are starting to explore their area and show us their personalities.”
With a roof over their heads and a kind family to cater to their needs, Heathers can enjoy some me-time without worrying about where her next meal will come from.
“In about 8-10 weeks, they will be available for adoption at The Cattery (a cage-free cat shelter). We can’t wait to see them grow up.”
