A tortoiseshell cat and five kittens were recently brought to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in the USA. At first glance, everything suggested the adult female was their mother. She had the same coat, a similar appearance, and a protective attitude towards the little ones.
However, during the initial veterinary check-up, the team noticed something unusual. There was no sign of milk production or recent lactation, which meant the cat hadn't given birth.
An unexpected big sister
The carers were puzzled. If she wasn't their biological mother, why was she looking after the kittens as if they were her own? The most likely explanation soon became clear. The female cat, named Muffin, was probably from a previous litter, making her the kittens' older sister. Their striking resemblance supported this theory.
It's not uncommon in rescue centres for nursing mother cats to adopt orphaned kittens. However, it is much rarer for a non-nursing sister to spontaneously take on a maternal role.
A happy ending for the family
A video of Muffin watching over the kittens was shared on the rescue centre's social media, melting the hearts of many online. Shortly after, a woman travelled all the way from Los Angeles to offer her a forever home.
Described as affectionate and sociable, Muffin quickly settled into her new life.
As for the five little ones – Donut, Croissant, Loaf, Danish, and Cannoli – they are continuing to grow at the centre. They are still mostly bottle-fed, gaining weight every day and becoming more and more active.
The rescue centre plans for them to be adopted at around eight weeks old, after they have been neutered. The team recommends that they be adopted in pairs to help maintain their behavioural and social well-being.
