A cat who was found outside with her newborn kittens and a note, is so grateful to be helped.
Late last month, Kayla who works at an apartment leasing office in Corpus Christi, Texas, was notified about a cat abandoned outside an apartment complex.
"She was told there was a cat lying in a bed, right next to the mailbox unit. It was a strange thing to imagine, so Kayla quickly went to the scene to see what was going on. What she found was not what she expected," Lindsay Haglund, a board member of Coastal Bend Cat Rescue, told Love Meow.
She found the cat in a bed with a towel draped over her and a sign taped to the wall above her. "When the towel was lifted Kayla discovered three tiny newborn kittens underneath the cat."
The distressed tabby had been left outside while she was in active labor. The sign above her was a plea for help (in large print that read "Please help us!"). Kayla and her coworker rushed to their aid and brought them into their office.
"They cleaned her up and helped her deliver the last baby," Lindsay shared with Love Meow.
The cat needed a safe place to raise her litter of four, so Kayla and her mother Buffy, both volunteers for Coastal Bend Cat Rescue, reached out for assistance.
"They asked if our rescue would take on this mama cat. Our team officers eagerly agreed, and we worked on forming a plan to foster the kitty family."
"Kayla kept them safe for a few days in her apartment, and then Buffy took in the whole kitty family to foster them until adoption."
The tabby cat was lovingly named Bonbon, and her kittens Reeses, Hershey, Dove, and Butterfinger after candy treats.
"The kittens were so small and fragile when they were found, but Bonbon took to foster care immediately because she was so grateful for a safe place indoors to nurse and raise her babies," Lindsay told Love Meow.
Buffy ensured each kitten made steady gains while she showered Bonbon with love and attention.
The cat mom quickly discovered a love for canned food and couldn't get enough of human affection.
"Bonbon's babies are now three weeks old and growing up so quickly! She has been an amazing mama cat to her little ones."
She provides undivided attention and top-notch care for her demanding kittens. Despite the stressful situation she was put in, Bonbon continues to purr and snuggle with her people.
"The amazing and kind-hearted volunteers who jumped into action to rescue Bonbon and her babies, make sure that she would never have to experience discomfort again," Lindsay shared.
Once the kittens are big enough, they will be put up for adoption through one of their partner local shelters.
"Bonbon and her kittens will all be spayed and neutered before adoption placement, which is so important to stopping the cycle of kittens being born outdoors on the streets."
It takes a village, but the little family of five are thriving in foster care. Momma Bonbon is so happy to be raising her kittens with the help of her human friends.
Share this story with your friends. Follow updates on the cat family and Coastal Bend Cat Rescue on Facebook and Instagram.
Related story: Kitten with 3 Paws Perseveres and Lives Everyday to Fullest After Being Found Near Dumpster