INDIANAPOLIS – After days of uncertainty, a missing mother cat was finally found and reunited with her newborn kittens, much to the relief of the dedicated foster team at IndyHumane.
The heartwarming reunion came after tireless efforts by volunteers who stepped in to care for the vulnerable litter.
A Desperate Call for Help
About a week ago, Kelsey, an experienced foster volunteer with IndyHumane, received an urgent call about a litter of 10-day-old kittens in need of bottle-feeding. The kittens had arrived at the shelter after hours, and Kelsey rushed to assess them.
Though their eyes were still closed and their ears folded—typical for newborns—the kittens were alert and in stable condition. They instinctively hissed at unfamiliar scents, a natural defense mechanism.
Struggles to Feed the Kittens
Kelsey placed the kittens in a temperature-controlled incubator and attempted to bottle-feed them, but they refused. After nearly 24 hours without success, she resorted to tube-feeding—a delicate procedure requiring specialized training.
While providing round-the-clock care, including mimicking a mother cat’s grooming with a toothbrush for comfort, Kelsey held onto hope that their mother might still be found.
A Plea to Leave Healthy Kittens Be
IndyHumane reminded the public that not all found kittens need immediate rescue.
“If you come across stray kittens that are clean, quiet, and appear healthy, their mother is likely nearby,” the shelter advised. “Only intervene if they seem sick, injured, or malnourished. Whenever possible, trap the mother and kittens together—keeping families united gives kittens the best chance of survival.”
A Breakthrough at Last
After two exhausting days, Kelsey and fellow volunteer Miranda finally got the kittens to accept bottle-feeding. But their biggest hope was still finding the mother.
On the third day, their persistence paid off—the mother cat had been safely trapped.
“The moment she arrived, she sniffed through the carrier grates, rolled over, and immediately began tending to her babies,” Kelsey told Love Meow. “I’m not sure who was more excited—the kittens or me.”
Thriving as a Family
Reunited, the kittens flourished under their mother’s care, each gaining 10-15 grams overnight. The once-nervous mother grew comfortable with her human caregivers, even greeting them with chirps.
“She’s incredibly attentive, and the kittens are the happiest I’ve seen,” Kelsey said.
Another volunteer, Jennifer, prepared a cozy nursery for the feline family, where the mother—now relaxed and purring—dotes on her playful litter. The kittens, their eyes now open, are becoming more active, tumbling over each other to nurse.
A Happy Ending
In the coming weeks, the kittens will begin exploring beyond their nest, keeping their mother busy. For the rescue team, reuniting the family was the best possible outcome.
Now safe in foster care, the mother cat and her kittens continue to thrive—a testament to the power of patience, teamwork, and a mother’s love.
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