LOS ANGELES, CA – A faint sound of tiny squeaks led a Good Samaritan to an unexpected discovery last month: a friendly stray cat and her six newborn kittens tucked beneath a shed. The rescue marked the beginning of a new chapter for the feline family.
After hearing the kittens’ cries, the rescuer crawled under the shed to safely retrieve the mother cat and her litter. She temporarily housed them in her garage before reaching out to Heidi Shoemaker, founder of Foster Kitten Mama, for assistance.
“Thankfully, the finder was able to get all of them out and keep them safe until we could step in,” Shoemaker said. Within days, the family of seven was settled into a foster home, leaving their precarious outdoor life behind.
A Mother’s Transformation
The cat, named Angel, was initially wary but quickly warmed up to her foster caregiver. Soothing words and regular meals helped her relax as she nursed her kittens in a cozy nest of blankets.
Her six babies—two calicos and four Siamese mixes—flourished under care, developing round bellies and hitting key growth milestones.
Among them, Lailah, the spirited runt, stood out for her feisty determination, often climbing over her siblings to secure the best spot during feeding time. Her sister Ariel, a gentler soul, preferred snuggles over competition.
The remaining four kittens—Gabriel, Raphael, Michael, and Muriel—resembled tiny polar bears with their soft, light-colored fur. By four weeks old, they were already eager explorers, testing their legs and investigating their surroundings.
A Brighter Future
Angel, who had previously been rescued with another litter, showed remarkable progress in foster care. Once skittish, she now purrs at the sound of her caregiver’s voice and seeks affection.
As the kittens grow more independent, Angel has embraced playtime, even becoming obsessed with a ball toy from her scratcher. “I’m just so happy to see her enjoying herself,” Shoemaker shared.
The family will remain in foster care until the kittens are weaned and ready for adoption. Meanwhile, Angel—finally safe and cherished—is rediscovering her playful side, one joyful bounce at a time.
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