A cat rescuer from Washington turned to her own kitten for help after being asked to foster five newborn kittens who had been separated from their mother. The emotional story has since captured hearts online.
Ashley Saldana, who shared the journey on TikTok under the username @soccercatmom in January, said the kittens were just one day old when they came into her care. “These kittens were taken from their mom when they were born. Five of them came to me when they were one day old,” she explained in the video, which has since gone viral.
Recognizing how vulnerable the kittens were, Saldana introduced them to her 3-month-old cat, Poppy, hoping the physical contact would comfort them. “I can’t believe how therapeutic it has been for both Poppy and the kittens,” she told Newsweek. “Poppy was truly made for this. She transforms into a pile of mush when the kittens are placed with her.”
Despite round-the-clock care, which included bottle-feeding every two hours, tube-feeding, and subcutaneous fluids, four of the kittens eventually passed away due to congenital health issues. Only one survived—a female kitten now named Red, who Saldana decided to adopt.
“It was a sad six weeks as we slowly lost the four,” Saldana said. “But we are so thankful to have ended up with one healthy one, and so thankful that Poppy was there to love on them in their final moments.”
Veterinary experts agree that young kittens need close contact and proper socialization. According to a Catster article reviewed by Dr. Ashley Darby, kittens should stay with their mothers for at least eight weeks, though many recommend waiting 14 weeks. Separating them too early can lead to behavioral challenges known as “single kitten syndrome,” where the young cat may struggle with social skills and play behavior.
Even so, being raised alongside another feline—even a non-relative like Poppy—can help the kittens develop healthy habits and emotional stability.
Poppy’s maternal instincts, despite her young age, seemed to make a difference. The video documenting the experience has received more than 692,000 views and over 81,300 likes. One user commented, “Poppy is doing a fantastic job. They all came to you for a reason.” Another wrote, “You’ve got a forever surrogate foster mom right there.”
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