Mom Cat Adopts A Tiny Sphinx Kitten That’s Very Different Than Her Own
Some kittens have a rougher start in life than others. Thankfully, some of them get a wholesome second chance.
Cleo arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center when she was just four days old. The small, hairless Sphynx cat was hungry, and shelter workers feared she wouldn't survive without a mother to care for her.
“Cleo was very undersized when she arrived,” Jessica Gercke, communications director for the shelter, says. “Our vet immediately started bottle-feeding her, but getting Cleo to drink was very slow-going.”
“Ultimately, we knew that she really needed to feed off a mother to have her best chance of survival,” she added. “But we continued to do our best.”
Bellarina, a pregnant cat, appeared a week later, answering their prayers. The shelter hoped that once Bellarina gave birth, she would welcome the little kitten into her family, but they couldn't be sure.
“She gave birth three days after arrival, and seeing how great she was with her own kittens, we introduced her to Cleo,” Gercke said. “We knew that Cleo, being hairless, would feel and smell different from her own kittens, so we all crossed our fingers.”
Bellarina could tell Cleo needed help the moment she met her. She didn't mind that Cleo was different, and she quickly adopted her.
Cleo was only 4 days old when she arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
“She just softened immediately to the tiny kitten and favored her during feedings, rolling over to Cleo first and picking her up with her mouth to make sure she had a good spot!” Gercke said.
“She loved grooming her and nuzzling her. It was incredibly touching to all of us.”
Cleo was very undersized and wasn't responding well to bottle-feeding.
Bellarina continued to look after her fluffy kittens — and Cleo — at home with her foster mom. “She treated her just as she did her other babies,” Traci Parker, Bellarina’s foster, says.
“She even kept a closer eye on her because she looks different and needs a little extra care. She was the best mom.”
The shelter staff knew they had to bring in a cat mom. But, they were afraid she wouldn't accept this "different" kitten
Luckily, the hero-mom didn't care. Watch them on video:
“She loves playing with the feather toys and with her siblings.”
Cleo needs to be kept warm because of her unusual appearance, so her foster mother gives her frequent showers and massages with coconut oil. Cleo, on the other hand, is thriving thanks to Bellarina and Parker and will soon be available for adoption.
“Cleo is inquisitive and curious,” Parker said. “She loves playing with the feather toys and with her siblings. She also loves her furry, round bed, which is super soft on her skin.”
“She also loves her furry, round bed, which is super soft on her skin,” her foster mom says
Bellarina and her other babies are now looking for their forever homes, while Cleo continues on her path to becoming a healthy and happy cat.
“Cleo will stay with us for another month as she continues to grow and put on weight,” Gercke said. “She needs the extra time to make up for her slow start, but we foresee a beautiful future for her.”
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