The little feline blended seamlessly with the adult cat who took her in, and was constantly seeking his affection.
Shelby Thorpe, the creator of Shelby’s Kitten SafeHouse in Oregon, received news from a TNR (trap-neuter-return) rescuer in early March about a litter of kittens. The cat mother was incapable of caring for them, and only one of the kittens survived. Due to the harsh environment and the kitten shivering, the decision was made to transfer the kitten to Shelby’s home to be bottle-fed. According to Love Meow, one of Shelby’s resident cats was eager to meet the newborn shortly after its arrival.
Whoops, I left the kitchen door open while I was grabbing something and when I returned, I spotted Polar (our cat) peering at the new addition. I had no doubt in my mind that he would make a fantastic big brother to her. Unfortunately, the little one – Cleo, had fleas and early signs of eye infections. Shelby took charge and performed a thorough cleanup, applied treatment to her eyes, and ensured she was well-fed throughout the day and night.
The little one felt much better with a cozy nest and a cuddle toy that had a heartbeat to keep her company all the time. The caregiver was relieved when she noticed that the little one was eating well from the bottle. This gave her hope that everything was going to be just fine. Cleo was delighted to have a full tummy, and she wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry ever again.
As the pounds started to pile up, her inquisitiveness grew and she started to explore the area, using her keen sense of smell to track down the resident felines.
“Polar couldn’t resist checking out the little ball of fur in the carrier when it first arrived. Despite being limited to only brief interactions during the two-week quarantine period, he remained curious about the new addition to the family.”
After a couple of days, Cleo began to stir in her cozy nest and started exploring her surroundings. She became more lively and enthusiastic about spending time with her fellow felines. Shelby made sure to give her plenty of cuddles and affection to let her know she was cared for. As per Shelby, it’s common for kittens to start interacting with each other at this stage.
After receiving medical clearance, Cleo was finally introduced to Polar in a formal meet-and-greet. Polar had been eagerly awaiting this moment and immediately took Cleo under his wing. He began washing her face and ears, showing his nurturing nature towards the little one.
According to Shelby’s statement to Love Meow, Polar has become extremely responsible towards his mother. He playfully jumps in her direction and walks over her since she can fit under his long legs. Additionally, he takes care of her hygiene by giving her baths and holding onto her so that she doesn’t run away during the process.
Whenever Cleo is with Polar, she feels ecstatic and overjoyed. She loves snuggling up to him and seeks his attention constantly. Additionally, she has become quite fond of her human companions and enjoys cuddling up to her foster mom on her lap.
Cleo had a rough beginning, but she managed to turn things around, thanks to the support of a loving foster family. Nowadays, she sleeps blissfully, content in the knowledge that she is surrounded by love and care.
Don’t forget to spread the word about this amazing story to your buddies! You can find it on lovemeow.com.