ORANGE COUNTY, CA—A pregnant tabby cat, left behind by her previous owners, gave birth alone in a shelter before finding refuge with a dedicated foster carer—and an unlikely helper: a kind-hearted dog named Raylan.
A Rough Start
The orange-and-white cat, named Molly, arrived at a local animal shelter heavily pregnant and disoriented. That same night, she delivered five kittens in her kennel. Shelter volunteers quickly moved the family to a foster home, but despite their efforts, only three kittens survived.
Concerned about Molly’s low milk production, rescuers rushed her and her surviving litter—kittens George, Fred, and Ginny—to an experienced foster caregiver, Laura, who had assisted neonatal kittens before.
Round-the-Clock Care
“Decreased milk production is often influenced by nutrition and stress,” Laura explained. She set up a quiet nursery for Molly, providing high-quality food and supplemental feedings for the fragile kittens, who required syringe feeding, fluids, and constant monitoring.
“These kittens were emaciated—they needed everything: warmth, fluids, and cuddles,” Laura said. Slowly, Molly’s milk supply improved, and the trio began gaining weight.
An Unlikely Nanny
Meanwhile, Laura’s dog, Raylan—a seasoned foster helper—waited patiently for Molly’s approval before stepping in. Once the cat grew comfortable, the gentle canine took on a new role: kitten-sitter.
“He assists by cleaning their faces and snuggling them to sleep,” Laura shared. “Molly noticed how careful he was and started trusting him.” Soon, the once-wary cat was rolling over for belly rubs near Raylan, even taking breaks between feedings to relax.
A Bright Future Ahead
While tiny George, the runt, still needs extra care, all three kittens are thriving under the watch of their foster family. “Ginny is enormous now, Fred’s doing well, and George is catching up,” Laura said.
From a stressful shelter birth to a cozy foster home, Molly’s journey reflects the power of compassion—and the unexpected bonds that form along the way.
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