A rescued cat mom and her only kitten came to their foster home for a chance at a better life.
A tabby cat was brought to Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington D.C. when she was found as a pregnant stray. She was just eight months old.
There were complications during labor due to her being so young and just skin and bones. The cat mom, named Shauna, had to have an emergency c-section. Despite their very best efforts, only one baby survived.
Shane the tabby boy, was a fighter from the start. Right after he was brought into the world, he meowed loudly for his mom and was determined to live.
Susie H., a foster volunteer of the shelter, stepped up to help and took the little family home so mama Shauna could have a quiet, clean, and safe place to recover and raise her kitten.
“Shauna is trying to be a mama, but in reality she’s just too young. She hasn’t been producing milk,” Susie told us. “I’ve been doing supplemental feedings. Shane bursts into purrs as soon as he latches onto the bottle, and doesn’t stop until he sinks into the post-bottle nap.”
The little fighter continues to prop up to mama’s milk-bar, nursing away, despite the fact there’s nothing on tap. Mama Shauna happily obliges and lets him nestle into her.
“It seems to bring them both comfort. She cleans him as well, but hasn’t entirely gotten the knack of it.”
Mama Shauna received some much-needed nutrients and meds to help her feel better. Susie became her biggest support by providing supplemental care for her baby and all the attention and love the young mama needs to thrive.
After every bottle feeding, Shauna takes over to clean up the kitten and then snuggle with him, purring him to sleep. “We’re tag teaming the feeding and cleaning duties. Together, we are caring for Shane as a team,” Susie told us.
“They are both very sweet. They love to purr and cuddle. But where Shauna is quiet as a mouse, Shane is a talker.”
Shane announced his arrival with his loud meow on the day he was born, and he’s been quite the chatterbox ever since. “When he’s not sleeping or eating, he’s singing to himself in cries and grunts and squeals.”
Watch Shane in this cute video:
When Shane is big enough, the mother and son will be spayed/neutered and have a great future ahead of them instead of continuing the cycle on the streets.
Despite having a rough beginning, she is so grateful to have her kitten by her side, purring along.
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