Nothing Like a Mom

Nala, Nana, Nash, Nellie and Nola got to brief a time with their mother. A man showed up at the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center with the five, 2-day old healthy siblings. It's not real clear what all transpired but the person who was filling out the paperwork on the litter eventually came to suspect there was no reason these 5 were not with their mother. Attempts were made to have the would-be rescuer return them to their mother at his home in O'Fallon, Missouri, but he outright refused and left without the kittens.

There are definite advantages of mother cats raising their babies. First, the mother's milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies for optimal growth and health. Kittens who stay with their mothers until they are weaned have a greater chance of experiencing better overall health and immunity as they grow up. There are also the essential behavioral skills mothers are best at teaching like grooming and communicating. There is nothing like the emotional bond between a mother and her offspring which can impact the kitten's overall well-being.

When Nala, Nana, Nash, Nellie and Nola were welcomed into the home of one of our Foster Volunteers she immediately began doing what she could to be their fill in mother. But there is a limit on what is possible. SNUGGLE Pet Rescue always does the absolute best for our fosters though, but sometimes we just aren't enough. Sadly, not long after the kittens got settled in at their foster home, Nellie passed away. She was there for such a brief time we did not even have time to get a photo of her. We want to recognize this precious little girl and say, "She might have made it if it was her mom taking care of her."

Shelters across the country are inundated with kittens right now. Some have had to quit accepting new ones because they have no more space. It's not something any shelter employee wants to do but they have no other choice. That is why we are going to say it again, "GET YOUR ANIMALS SPAYED AND NEUTERED!" That is the only solution for ending the killing of healthy animals.