Although they’re often looked down upon, homeless people are some of the strongest around. It takes a lot of strength and determination to be able to survive on the street without any shelter and food. Not all of us would be able to make it against such gruesome and uncomfortable conditions. For parents, it’s particularly different. You don’t just have to take care of yourself, you have innocent mouths to feed, as well. A formerly homeless cat named Prairie knows these struggles all too well.
Prairie is a gorgeous cat that was found living on the streets of California. The poor cat had not only managed to keep herself alive, but she had also succeeded in feeding her 9 kittens all by herself. The entire family was sickly and skinny, but the fact that they didn’t die was (and is) remarkable.
Prairie was discovered by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in California. When they realized the family’s dire situation, they immediately scooped them up. All ten felines were sent to the Lynnwood, Washington PAWS branch. Because shelters in California and Texas are extremely overcrowded, the Lynnwood location often takes animals that would otherwise likely be put down.
When the Lynnwood PAWS staff received Prairie and the kittens, the babies were so small and tired that they could barely lift themselves up. Workers gave them the medical care they needed and immediately tried finding them a loving foster home. That’s when they went to live with Ashley.
Ashley, who goes by @youngestoldcatlady on Instagram, is experienced in fostering cats and was excited to help the little family. When they arrived in her care, the babies were very dirty.
“I got NINE kittens and mom.” she writes. “Five to six weeks old, they were filthy. I went straight from the Airport to the shelter, came home, game them all baths.”
Foster mum Ashley gave each of the kittens a nice warm bath and set the entire family up with heating pads. By now, the kittens were starting to act like playful fluffs. And now that they were all cared for, Mama Prairie would need a few days of well-deserved rest.
Although the family was given constant access to dry food and allowed to eat as much wet food as they wanted during meal times, old habits die hard. After being forced to scavenge for so long, Prairie was still trying to take any food she could get.
Once Prairie got her paws on something, she would bring it to her babies and meow incessantly until they came and had a bite to eat.
Nowadays, strong Mama Prairie and each of her kittens have all been adopted into loving furever homes. Although they had a rough beginning, with Prairie’s determination and strength they somehow managed to survive.
Thankfully, now they have all the food and love they could ever ask for. And never again will they have to live on the street.
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