A few weeks ago, Bella, a community cat, and her five kittens were taken to Metro Animal Care and Control, seeking a foster home.
The kittens were only a few days old, their eyes still closed, and their ears folded. Bella stayed close to her little ones, caring for them with unwavering attention as they awaited a safe place to stay.
Lindsay, a volunteer, eagerly stepped in to foster the family. Of the five kittens, one stood out—Oyster, a gray kitten who was different from his siblings.
While Bella’s other kittens were all brown tabbies—Button, Enoki, Porcini, and Shiitake—Oyster’s striking gray coat made him easily recognizable.
Despite his tiny size, he quickly made an impression with his loud meows and hearty appetite, becoming one of the chubbiest kittens in the group.
Though the kittens all competed for milk, Oyster always managed to secure a prime spot, wriggling through the nest to ensure he got his fill.
Meanwhile, Bella relaxed in the foster room, lovingly attending to her kittens in their cozy “igloo.” She was affectionate and trusting, greeting Lindsay with purrs whenever she entered the room.
“At just one-year-old, she’s a baby herself and deserves a wonderful home after raising these five little meowshrooms,” Lindsay shared.
As Oyster grew, his curious and adventurous side began to emerge. He would wiggle toward the edge of the bed, trying to make a break for it, only to get distracted by the need for a nap.
“He made it about halfway out of the igloo before giving up and going to sleep,” Lindsay said with a smile.
Oyster loved hanging out by the igloo’s edge, always plotting his next “escape.” Mama Bella would often curl up beside him, showering him with snuggles and purrs. As the kittens grew stronger and started moving around more, their personalities began to emerge.
They would wrestle each other in “slow motion” and explore the playpen, where Lindsay introduced a comfy new “cave” that Oyster immediately claimed as his own.
While his siblings snoozed on a blanket, Oyster snuggled into the cave for some solo time. “Mama Bella found the cave too,” Lindsay laughed. “She’s almost too big for it, but somehow made it work. Of course, the kids tried to follow her in there, and it got even more snug.”
With the loving care of Bella and Lindsay, the kittens blossomed into plump, energetic bundles of joy.
Although still a little unsteady on his feet, Oyster continued to challenge his siblings in playful wrestling matches.
He’d arch his back and skitter sideways, pretending to be bigger than he was before pouncing. After the rough play, the kittens would collapse together in a cozy purring pile.
Oyster is a kitten with a strong sense of independence. While his tabby siblings line up on one side to nurse, he always finds his spot, choosing to blaze his trail.
Lindsay shared, “They were 5-6 days old when we got them. Now, at six weeks, we’ll likely have them for another 2-3 weeks before they’re ready for adoption.”
Bella, with her endless patience, has been an amazing mother. Her tail became a favorite toy for the kittens, who couldn’t resist playing with it.
“She’s the sweetest, gentlest girl and would make an amazing pet for anyone who wants nothing to do with that chaotic kitten energy,” Lindsay said.
Thanks to their loving foster home, the kittens are thriving, and as they move into their rambunctious phase, Bella is nearly ready to retire from motherhood.
She looks forward to being the center of attention in a home that will give her the care she deserves.
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