A sleek, petite house panther named Mama Mystic arrived in the nick of time at a rescue in Orange County, California. Despite being petite, her pregnant tummy was so extended she looked like a “catermelon.“
The rescuers found her at a shelter, extremely pregnant and gave her a peaceful home in foster care. Without a doubt, the sweet-natured young mother would have struggled unnecessarily in the crowded shelter. We know sadly, that black cats are often the last to be adopted and among the first to be euthanized. But this would not be her story.
“Momma Mystic is so close to birth! Loves her belly rubs!”
Images and media screenshots via TikTok/thecoppersmiths
Mama Mystic and Her Fabulous Octet
After much anticipation, the new mama gave birth as evening came, but it was a difficult labor. At her petite size, the young mother was carrying 14 kittens. Sadly, only eight survived, the last kitten arriving early the next morning. Of the eight survivors, five were tiny preemies that would not make it without lots of help from the foster mom.
Such challenges and losses are unfortunately common for cats struggling for basic needs outdoors or rescued from crowded, stressful shelter environments. Even when placed in perfect conditions in a foster home here, the birth was a overwhelming ordeal. And yet, Mystic remained calm, and sweet. and doting throughout.
She was such a proud mama to her eight survivors, dubbed the Fabulous Octet.
“Through that ordeal she remained calm, loving and friendly,” said foster mom Amanda.
Unlike many rescues, Mystic was completely trusting from the start. She even wanted head scratches while she nursed! Her incredibly cooperative nature helped Amanda care for the fragile preemies. As you can imagine, Mystic also needed frequent breaks from being a “living feeding station.” She retreated and enjoyed playful moments where you could see she was still a kitten herself.
The Octet Slowly Grow
With diligent care, all eight kittens slowly but surely gained weight. As they grew, the beautiful family caught the eye of Jackson Galaxy, who commended foster mom Amanda and the Coppersmith family for National Foster Care Month.
“For having all those babies, Mystic is actually kind of petite – and so sweet. Incredibly friendly and easy going. With her muscular body and striking, angular face we think she may have some Oriental Shorthair in her,” shared Helen Sanders CatPAWS.
Graduation to the Mystic Playroom
In the blink of an eye, the babies reached five weeks old and were bundles of boundless kitten energy. There was no containing this group of explorers, and they graduated to an impressive playroom.
Video via Instagram/Helen Sanders CatPAWS
Mystic’s playground area was so popular that people wanted to see more, so the Coppersmiths showed the details on TikTok. What an ideal setup, allowing the mama to easily take breaks in her own separate area.
Despite having her own area, she still spent plenty of time buried up to her ears in kittens. To give her a break, she wore special protective shirts when the kittens were fully weaned. Wearing the shirt helped prepared her body for her upcoming spay day and then her own adoption day at last!
Mama Mystic covered in fully-weaned kittens while she wears a protective shirt.
Black Tie Event and Adoptions
With so many “magical darlings” ready for adoption, the rescue hosted a “Black Tie Event” with Mystic and her kittens at a local pet store.
Black Tie Event for the house panthers up for adoption
In an update, all of the Fabulous Octets reached spay and neuter day and soon found homes! They were a fabulously lucky and enchanted family in so many ways. And to top it off, these cats will never contribute to the suffering of another kitten season. Instead, they’ll each enchant their adopted families for a lifetime.
Those in the Orange County area can find out more at Helen Sanders CatPAWS on Facebook and Instagram. Also, you can see more of Mama Mystic and her babies on TikTok with their amazing foster family, the Coppersmiths.
