After days of searching, rescuers finally found the missing cat. The emotional moment came when she saw her kittens again — without hesitation, she went straight to work caring for them as if no time had passed. Her motherly instincts instantly took over, bringing comfort and warmth to her tiny babies who had been waiting for her return.
Kelsey
About a week ago, Kelsey, a dedicated foster volunteer at IndyHumane in Indiana, received an urgent call about a litter of newborn kittens in desperate need of bottle feeding. “They arrived at the shelter after closing, but I rushed over to take them in and assess their condition,” Kelsey told Love Meow. The kittens, only about 10 days old, had been found without their mother. Their tiny eyes were barely open, and their ears were still folded, but they were alert, active, and surprisingly strong for their age. Even in their fragile state, they hissed softly — a natural survival instinct in newborn kittens.
Kelsey
Once Kelsey settled them in a warm incubator to help regulate their tiny bodies’ temperatures, she began the long and exhausting process of bottle-feeding them. But no matter how hard she tried, the kittens refused to latch. “Every 2-3 hours, I would continue to try, and they just wouldn’t participate. After almost 24 hours, I had to begin tube-feeding, which is something only trained individuals should do,” she explained. Despite the challenges, Kelsey didn’t give up — determined to keep the kittens alive until their mother could hopefully be found.
Kelsey
While caring for the fragile litter, Kelsey even used a toothbrush to mimic a mother cat’s grooming — helping them feel safe and comforted. She kept hoping that their mother might still be out there. IndyHumane shared a reminder to the public: “If you find stray kittens, leave them be. If they’re clean, quiet, and appear healthy, their mom is likely nearby. Only intervene if they look sick, injured, or malnourished.” The team urged that trapping the mom and babies together gives them the best chance at survival.
Kelsey
With sleepless nights and tireless dedication, Kelsey and another volunteer, Miranda, finally managed to get the kittens to accept bottle feeding. Still, two days passed with no word about their missing mother. Just as they began to lose hope, the best news arrived on the third day — the mama cat had been found and safely trapped.
They found the mom cat and reunited her with her kittens — Kelsey
“After days of care, we got the news we had been hoping for — Mom had been trapped!” Kelsey recalled. “The moment she was brought in, she sniffed through the crate and immediately rolled over, ready to care for her babies again.” The reunion was heartwarming — the kittens instantly recognized her scent, and the exhausted mom began grooming and nursing them as if she had never left.
Kelsey
Overnight, each kitten gained 10–15 grams, showing clear signs of improvement. Their mother, although initially nervous, quickly adjusted to her surroundings and allowed Kelsey to handle the babies. “She even began to chirp at us when we entered the room,” Kelsey said. “They are the happiest babies I’ve ever seen — and they truly deserve it.”
Kelsey
Now reunited, the kittens thrive under their mom’s tender care. With their eyes open, they’ve become more curious and playful. Another volunteer, Jennifer, prepared a cozy nursery for the family, giving the mom cat a peaceful place to raise her little ones. “Upon arrival, she immediately relaxed, began purring for the first time, and tended to her babies,” Jennifer said. “They’ll all get new names soon.”
Kelsey
The mother cat has proven to be incredibly attentive, watching over her kittens nonstop. The little ones, now stronger and livelier, roll around playfully and compete for their favorite nursing spots. In just a couple of weeks, they’ll begin exploring beyond their nest — keeping their devoted mom on her toes.
Kelsey
For IndyHumane, reuniting this feline family is the happiest ending they could hope for. What started as a desperate rescue mission has turned into a story of love, patience, and maternal devotion. The kittens now grow stronger every day in their warm foster home, surrounded by care and affection.
Jennifer
Share this heartwarming story with your friends and follow more updates from the foster team on Jennifer’s Instagram and IndyHumane @indyhumane. Special thanks to Kelsey @pennyandthefosters and Miranda for giving these kittens the chance to thrive again.
