A cat-loving family, the Newtons from California, took in a feral mama cat named Jennyanydots, who unexpectedly had a litter of three 5-day-old kittens before she could be spayed. They were all black and white, and the mama cat had gorgeous golden eyes.
All were doing great, but then, while checking on a feral colony they had been TNR-ing (trap, neuter, return) for, the Newtons found two more abandoned kittens. The sickly kittens were trying to survive under overgrown sticker brambles and lying on a broken glass RV window! They had to rescue them right away.
Mama cat Jennyanydots with her surprise litter. Screenshots and videos via TikTok/ragingloons
Jennyanydots Meets Two New Babies
Mother Kate took a box cutter to the brambles to get to the skinny week-old kittens, getting scratched up in the process. But she managed to get the kittens out. Meanwhile, their mother was missing and they were on top of glass shards!
Knowing the kittens needed food immediately, Kate drove them home, hoping that Jennyanydots would likely accept two more babies.
Introducing new kittens to a nursing litter can be risky, but this content mama cat was very loving and had already shown her willingness.
Can You Take Some New Babies?
Then, Kate shared a TikTok that went viral, showing the sweet mama cat meeting the two new rescues for the first time. The video racked up 2.6 million views as Kate asked, “Can you take some new babies?”
When Kate asked Jennyanydots if she would take the babies, she meowed as if to say, “yes.” Then, she immediately inspected them individually and chatted with Kate about them again. Again, it was as if she was approving the newborns.
Although the mama was nervous, she heartwarmingly accepted the new babies among her older kittens.
“They came to the right house, with the right mama,” Kate said.
Then, we see Jennyanydots licking the new babies clean while the older kittens help keep their new siblings warm. The mama didn’t mind taking in the new babies as if they were hers.
“Our formerly feral mama cat took in 2 feral kittens that were found on top of broken glass. No questions asked!”
Introducing New Kittens to a Nursing Litter
Introducing new kittens to a nursing litter has many risks. The mama may easily reject them, as they fiercely protect their litter. Fortunately, a follow-up TikTok shows Jennyanydots being so protective of her newly adopted kittens.
“Mama is very protective over the babies we gave her today. It’s so precious I can’t even deal!”
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Concerns About Introducing New Kittens
When it comes to rescuing things may not go so smoothly as they did here. Unfortunately, kittens may carry diseases and parasites that can pass to the other kitties, which can sometimes even be deadly. Generally, a two-week quarantine period is necessary.
That said, mama cats that have proven ready to accept orphaned kittens or surrogate mamas like Jennyanydots are like gold. We’ve even shared the story of a mama cat who took in a litter of hedgehogs!
Nothing beats the care a mother cat gives her babies. However, even a healthy, well-fed nursing mama cat like this one may need some help. In this case, the experienced and informed rescuer Kate was helping feed them kitten formula from a syringe since they weren’t latching. She fed them every two hours all night to ensure they were all doing ok. We’re thrilled they all grew up happy and healthy.
When the kittens’ ages differ, the larger ones could easily prevent smaller siblings from feeding. Then, the Mama may wean the older ones and reject the younger ones that need more time. Thus, it will be necessary to bottle-feed from there. But Jennyanydots is a purrfectly great foster mama and kept nursing all the babies.
In the comments, someone offered a “pro tip.” That is, gently bathe any newcomer kittens to remove a foreign scent and introduce your own. If you do, remember that kittens, especially sickly ones, must always be kept nice and warm. See our previous article for tips on kitten bath time, and contact a local rescue group, Humane Society, veterinarian, or shelter if you need help. Remember that healthy kittens have the best chance if they can stay with their mama, who may be hiding or finding food nearby.
