We are always sharing stories about rescued kittens, but this is the first time that two formerly wild mustangs have helped with the rescue!
Stargazer and Nora are two beautiful rescued and reunited Onaqui mustangs from Utah. Their mom is Melissa Tritinger. Neither horse had ever seen a kitten before until one wandered out of the weeds one day. As soon as they saw the kitten, they were so curious and gentle!
Mustangs Spot a Kitten for the First Time!
When a BLM helicopter captured the Mustangs in a 2021 government roundup, Melissa and her husband adopted the spotted pinto Stargazer, followed by his mate, Northstar, or Nora, a grey beauty.
Living with the Onaqui mustangs, Stargazer and Nora must have seen all kinds of wild animals in their day. There are mountain lions, Bald Eagles, kangaroo rats, foxes, coyotes, lizards, and toads in the Onaqui Mountains. But kittens would be a rare sight indeed!
The starving kitten, spotted like Stargazer, appeared out of the weeds.
Images and media via Instagram/stargazer_and_nora
Melissa coaxed the kitten out of hiding, and he followed her back to the barn, where the horses first glimpsed him.
“I quickly realized my formerly wild Mustang [had] never seen a kitten before. His only experience with cats was perhaps a mountain lion on his home range,” Melissa explained. “This was no mountain lion.”
Stargazer walking next to the tiny kitten. Images via Instagram/stargazer_and_nora
When the mustangs and friend Ruby saw the kitten, they were all very curious, friendly, and gentle. In particular, the silvery Nora was fond of the kitten, later named Turnip. In essence, “Stargazer and Nora helped rescue” the kitten.
“Stargazer and Nora: Can we keep him? 😻”
Video via Instagram/stargazer_and_nora
Nora the Mustang Inspects Turnip the Kitten
When Nora saw Turnip return to the pasture, she wanted to inspect him as close as she could. And Turnip seemed to enjoy feeling her warm nose on his fur!
“I think Nora really likes him,” Melissa said. “The little found kitty had his first pets from Nora. Way to go, Nora!”
Nora gently inspects the tiny kitten.
Video via Intagram/stargazer_and_nora
Turnip the Kitten Just ‘Turned Up’
After asking for suggestions for the kittens’ name on Instagram, the family chose Turnip!
“Thank you, everyone, for your fantastic name suggestions! We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our herd: Turnip!”
“This little guy just ‘turned up’ and found his way into our hearts, thanks to the help of Stargazer, Nora, and Ruby. Welcome home, Turnip! 😻”
Turnip ‘Helps’ the Mustangs in the Barn
With Nora’s encouragement, Turnip wasted no time in helping out on the farm.
“Our little wild kitty is helping out with barn chores 🧹🚜🧑🌾🐓🐴”
Now, Turnip will always have a loving home with his giant-sized friends!
You can see more on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Video by The Dodo about Stargazer and Nora’s dramatic story:
