When pregnant tortoiseshell cat Kiara came to the rescue, she was apprehensive about people from her past experiences. Fortunately, her maternal instincts were stronger than her fear, and she accepted the help of kind foster volunteers to help her single surviving kitten thrive.
Tiny survivor Luciole latched onto her mother’s nipple and suckled for her entire first day of life, but when she failed to thrive or gain any weight, rescuers discovered Kiara was unable to produce milk to sustain her kitten’s life. That’s when foster volunteer Kim stepped in to feed the tiny newborn every two hours, around the clock.
Mama cat Kiara, although still timid with people, seemed to understand that the benevolent foster caretakers had only the best of intentions, and had the ability to help her baby thrive. Although she was at first concerned when Kim took Luciole out of the nest to feed her, as her kitten repeatedly returned healthier and stronger, with a filled tummy, Kiara’s trust grew.
The team of feline mama and human foster caretaker kept little Luciole healthy and helped her thrive. Kiara began informing Kim when it was time to feed the baby, meowing for help. Kiara supplies grooming, cuddles, and toileting help, while Kim maintains round-the-clock feedings. From the efforts of both team members, Kiara’s kitten is flourishing.
