When Sara began caring for a stray black-and-white cat left behind by evicted neighbors, she assumed “Oreo” was a male. But one winter morning, she made a startling discovery—the cat was actually a pregnant female in active labor.
With temperatures plunging below freezing, Sara quickly contacted local rescuer Laila Daniel of Fosters Home for Kittens for help. “The outdoor shelter wasn’t safe for newborns,” Laila told Love Meow. She rushed to bring Oreo and her soon-to-arrive kittens indoors.
A Protective Mother’s Journey Indoors
During the car ride, Oreo stayed fiercely devoted to her kittens, shielding them with her body and nursing them despite the stress of relocation. Once home, Laila replaced the cat’s makeshift shelter with a soft blanket in a warm room. Though initially wary, Oreo seemed “extremely appreciative of being safe and cared for,” Laila said.
The tuxedo cat proved to be an attentive mother, rarely leaving her four newborns—dubbed Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Snickerdoodle—except to eat or use the litter box. Over time, she grew to trust Laila, allowing her to handle the kittens for weigh-ins and health checks.
From Fragile Newborns to Curious Explorers
The kittens thrived under Oreo’s watchful care, their bellies round and their energy increasing by the day. By three weeks old, their eyes opened, revealing a growing curiosity. Though Oreo initially resisted moving them from their original box, she eventually approved a larger space as the litter became more active.
“Oreo is one of the best mama cats I’ve fostered—incredibly sweet and protective,” Laila said. At four weeks, the kittens began tentatively exploring, with Peanut Butter even attempting to eat from his mother’s food bowl. Oatmeal Raisin, meanwhile, mastered an adorable “beckoning cat” pose.
A Happy Ending Thanks to Compassion
Thanks to Sara’s intervention and Laila’s foster care, Oreo and her kittens are now thriving indoors. Soon, the playful quartet will be scampering about, testing their mother’s patience—and undoubtedly winning hearts along the way.
Related topics:
