Transformed Ex-Feral Tomcat Embraces Role of Affectionate 'Mama Bear' to Foster Kittens
Bear did not start out as a lap cat. In 2018, a feral tomcat in California came into the care of Haley, the woman people knew as the “feeder of cats,” and he arrived with a limp, a hiss, and a whole lot of “stay back” energy.
He was sick and injured, and his tough street habits were still in control, so he swatted and bit like it was his job. To make it even harder, Haley was dealing with a cat who had FHV and refractory stomatitis, meaning no teeth and a recovery that demanded patience, not instant trust.
Then something wild happened, the former feral male cat turned into the most nurturing foster “mama” for kittens Haley was trying to save.
In 2018, a dedicated animal rescuer named Haley, endearingly referred to as the "feeder of cats," found herself caring for a sick and injured feral cat, Bear, in California.
Back then, Bear was far from being a docile pet. He limped, hissed, and swatted and bit as a self-protective response conditioned by his harsh street life.
“While recovering, he turned out to be the sweetest cat in the world. Ever? He has FHV and refractory stomatitis, no teeth. Best cat award,” Haley shared on Twitter.
Haley meticulously rehabilitated Bear, and he blossomed into an incredibly affectionate lap cat. Further down the line, Bear turned out to be a surprising boon for Haley, taking on the role of a foster parent to rescue kittens, caring for them as though he were their mother!
Haley’s “best cat award” moment only came after Bear stopped treating every hand like a threat, and he finally chose comfort over chaos.
That’s when Haley started introducing Bear to the foster kittens, and the hissy, swat-ready cat somehow turned into a calm, affectionate caregiver.
As Bear became more accustomed to the comfortable life of a domestic cat, his gentle and caring nature increasingly emerged. It was at this point that Haley cautiously began to introduce him to the foster kittens.
Bear proved to be an instinctive caregiver, showing affection to each kitten and engaging in play and nap time with them. Every day, he acted as a mentor to the young kittens, teaching them the rules of the feline world, including setting boundaries and mastering the art of being a cat.
His guidance ensured that when it was time for these kittens to embark on their journey to their forever homes, they were well-prepared, well-adjusted, and more likely to find a loving home quickly.
It’s the same kind of comeback as the roadside stray cat that nearly faced death, then found a forever home.
“Bear loves to help with the foster kittens,” Haley shared.
“When your former feral male cat takes on a mothering role for the insane kitten,” the caption reads.
In one instance, a foster kitten named Bernadette (or Bern) formed such a strong bond with Bear that the family decided to adopt her permanently. A classic case of a foster fail!
“The look on his face in the last vid 😂. Every people parent or pet parent knows that feeling,” one person commented on Instagram.
The foster room basically became Bear’s personal classroom, because he taught each kitten nap time, play rules, and the feline art of setting boundaries.
And of course, it ended with a foster fail, Bernadette, aka Bern, bonded so hard with Bear that the family decided she was staying.
Sadly, Bear, the much-adored ex-feral cat, passed away unexpectedly in May 2023. We extend our heartfelt condolences and soothing purrs to Haley and the multitude of Bear's admirers on TikTok and Twitter.
We recount his story as a tribute to his memory. Bear led an incredible life, a testament to Haley's love and care. His journey is the best proof that former feral cats can, at times, turn into the most wonderful companions.
Bear didn’t just get rescued, he adopted the job of “Mama Bear” and stole a kitten’s heart for good.
From a mourning stray to a joyful survivor, see what happened to Fishtopher after his family loss.
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