Mom Cat Adopts A Tiny Sphinx Kitten That’s Very Different Than Her Own
Some kittens get a rough start, and Cleo’s was especially fragile. The tiny Sphynx arrived at Helen Woodward Animal Center at just four days old, hungry and far too small to be on her own.
Staff knew she needed a mother cat if she had any real chance, so when Bellarina, a pregnant foster cat, came along, hope returned fast. No one could be sure she would accept a kitten so different from her own babies, but Bellarina surprised everyone.
What happened next turned a difficult rescue into a heartwarming foster story. Read on.
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.”
This reminds us of the rescued cat that joined a Husky pack after their owner saved her from the streets.
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.”
For another mother taking a terrifying gamble for her kittens, read the stray feline mom who risked everything to give her little ones a survival chance.
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