A volunteer went to an animal shelter to pick up kittens, but she returned home with a cat who needed her help.
Jennifer, a Humane Society of Hamilton County volunteer, went to the shelter expecting to bring home a couple kittens to foster.
She stumbled upon a very pregnant cat named Josephine, who was about to give birth any day. The shelter environment became too stressful for her, and she desperately needed a foster home.
As she came to check on Jennifer, Josephine looked at her with yearning eyes. “I went to pick up a litter of kittens and walked out with her instead,” Jennifer told Love Meow.
Shortly after arriving at her foster home, Josephine appeared relaxed and sat down on the floor for a stretch and belly massages. She was overjoyed to discover toys strewn about and began fighting with them in a kitten-like manner.
“She was quite gregarious and friendly from the beginning. She immediately relaxed in the foster room.”
Josephine became weak and sneezed while at the shelter as a result of the stress, but this rapidly subsided after she moved into her new home. She was thrilled with the abundance of towels and blankets in her new home and immediately began rearranging them.
“She has been playing a little, but she’s also getting plenty of rest.” I’m glad she isn’t outside of this state. Given the heat and humidity, thunderstorms, and frequent fireworks, it would be a terrifying time for her to be outside.
On July 6th, Josephine went into labor and delivered three healthy kittens.
These little beans, named Cannellini or Lini (tortie), Garbanzo (cream), and Pinto (ginger), had ravenous appetites and plenty of energy for their size. They kept moving around the nest, wriggling all over their mother.
“When little Pinto gets a sturdy latch, he won’t let go. He occasionally hitches a ride with Mama, remaining attached when she gets up to depart.
Josephine takes several breaks to stretch, play, refuel, hydrate, or use the litter box, but as soon as the kittens make a sound, she hurries back to tend to them.
“She is protective of her babies and has been keeping them well fed and squeaky clean.”
At four days old, the kittens appeared to be a week ahead of schedule when their eyes began to open. “Their weights are well above average. They are extremely vigilant and mobile. My best assumption is that Josephine was overdue when she finally gave birth.
Josephine enjoys her spare time while her kittens are asleep. “She’s frequently out and about eating, relaxing, or playing with toys. “Her appetite is insatiable.”
Garbanzo is the largest of the brood, while Lini is the tiniest. Pinto the Ginger has the most daring attitude.
Pinto spit at any unexpected scents while his eyes remained closed. Now that he can see, he shouts at the top of his lungs every time he is taken up for his weigh-in.
All three kittens have fat stomachs and are constantly rolling around with their little legs in the air.
Thanks to a wonderful foster home, Josephine can comfortably raise her last litter.
When her kittens are old enough, she will blissfully retire from motherhood, playing all day and doing what she enjoys with no worries in the world.