Stray cats often have kittens in odd places. For example, one wild mama cat found a stack of tires the perfect place to birth her family. Employees of the Los Angeles auto shop were used to the lady cat hanging about.
But she wasn’t a friendly thing.
She kept her distance and staff kept theirs. But a few months ago, the stray lady gave birth to a litter of kittens in a tire that was part of a stack. In fact, she chose one “15 tires up” to ensure her kittens would be safe and hidden from the world.
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
No surprise, the new mom cat wouldn’t let anyone come near. Being cantankerous already, the cat was probably a force to be reckoned with after giving birth. Auto shop employees kept an eye on things from afar, but one day, the mama cat never appeared.
A few days went by and still no kitty…
The kittens were on their own and being so newly born, the litter was facing certain doom without their mom. Staff grew concerned for the cat, fearing the worst as she was an outdoor cat. With her not there, they knew her kittens needed help.
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
Help for Kittens in Danger
A client of the shop, Maggie, had some connections to rescue folks and the litter was placed in the care of Bruce and Fox Fosters. Owner of B+F Fosters and volunteer for Wrenn Rescues, Ashley Kelley said, “The kittens were in bad shape. Maggie had tucked one of the kittens into her shirt to try and keep him warm.”
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
On that first day, she wrote on Instagram, “They are starving and thin, we will need all the positive thoughts and prayers we can get for these babies.”
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
As they hadn’t eaten in a couple days, the first night was rough. “They got small feedings every two hours the first night (at their foster home), to keep their stomachs from getting upset with the new food.”
But a few days later, after baths and a good look over, Ashley discovered every one of the six kittens were little boys, “4 ginger boys, one dark brown, and one buff/champagne.”
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
After a week, all the kittens had doubled their weight, even the “runty” ones. Ashley reports one week of proper nutrition makes a huge difference for tiny kittens. As they are growing at fast rates, their fuzzy bodies need lots of calories and nutrients to keep up with their increasing curiosity.
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
“Now, they are happy and plump and all named after tire brands — Dunlop, Cooper, Falken, Toyo, Pirelli and Michelin.”
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
@BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
The “Tire Tabbies” are still with Ashley, growing stronger every day.
H/T: Love Meow
Feature Image: @BruceandFoxFosters/Instagram
