Mama Cat Adopts A Tiny Kitten Who Isn’t Like The Others
Cleo had only been at Helen Woodward Animal Center for four days when she arrived.
The small, hairless sphynx cat was malnourished, and shelter workers feared she wouldn’t survive without a mother to care for her.
“Cleo was very undersized when she arrived,” Jessica Gercke, communications director for the shelter, told The Dodo. “Our vet immediately started bottle-feeding her, but getting Cleo to drink was very slow-going.”
“Ultimately, we knew that she really needed to feed off of a mother to have her best chance of survival,” she added. “But we continued to do our best.”
Bellarina, a pregnant cat, appeared a week later, fulfilling their hopes. The shelter hoped Bellarina would accept the young cat into her family once she gave birth, but there was no way of knowing for sure.
“She gave birth three days after arriving, and we introduced her to Cleo after witnessing how well she was with her own babies,” Gercke added. “We all crossed our fingers since we knew Cleo, being hairless, would feel and smell different from her own babies.”
Bellarina could tell Cleo needed help the moment she met her. She didn’t mind that Cleo was unusual and quickly accepted her.
“She simply took to Cleo right away and favored her during feedings, rolling over to her first and lifting her up with her mouth to ensure she had a nice place!” “Gercke said. “She was fond of brushing and nuzzling her. It was really moving for all of us.”
Bellarina continued to look after her fluffy babies — and Cleo — at home with her foster parents.
“She treated her the same way she treated her other infants,” Bellarina’s foster mother, Traci Parker, told The Dodo. “She even maintained a closer check on her since she appears to be odd and requires special attention.” She was a fantastic mother.”
Cleo requires regular showers and massages with coconut oil from her foster mom because of her unusual appearance. Cleo, on the other hand, is prospering due to Bellarina and Parker and will soon be available for adoption.
“Cleo is interested and inquisitive,” Parker remarked. “She enjoys playing with her siblings and with the feather toys. She also like her circular, fluffy bed, which is really kind on her skin.”
Bellarina and her other babies are now looking for their permanent homes, while Cleo continues on her path to become a healthy and happy cat.
“We’ll keep Cleo for another month while she continues to develop and gain weight,” Gercke added. “She’ll need the extra time to make up for her sluggish start, but we think she’ll have a bright future.”
