Eli was the only surviving member of his litter— and even though he was rescued, the poor baby always longed for a real mother’s love.
He was discovered when he was 1-day-old, and rescuers immediately took him under their wing. He was sent to Foster Kittens in Seattle, Washington, where Cindy, his caregiver worked around the clock to save him. But because Eli didn’t have a mama, he would have to be bottle-fed to grow.
Soon after Eli’s arrival, Cindy got another batch of rescues— a cat named Madeline and her new litter of kittens. Eli longed for a mother and Cindy hoped that Madeline would ultimately take him in. Luckily for Eli, the new mother immediately started caring for him. Turns out, Madeline had experienced loss of her own.
“Madeline’s first litter of kittens didn’t survive (before she came to me),” Cindy revealed. “…And how Eli was the only survivor of his litter. What a sweet mom Madeline has been to Eli.”
Even though Eli loved his new mother, he didn’t know how to nurse.
Cindy explained, “Kittens who are bottle-fed get used to a different type of drinking.” Still, “He hasn’t stopped purring since he got here.”
“Kittens who have been bottle fed are typically smaller than kittens who nursed from a mom, but they soon catch up once they eat solid food.”
“He seems to love having a family,” she added.
Instead of nursing, Eli would slurp up his bottle, then go cuddle with mama and his new siblings for a cozy little nap.
“There’s nothing quite like having a tiny, well-fed, purry kitten crawl up under your neck and fall fast asleep,” Cindy said.
“Madeline and I have a good routine with little Eli: I bottle feed him, then she cleans him up and potties him.”
Doesn’t he look puuuuurrrrfectly content?
Eli’s not the only happy member of the family though— all his adopted siblings adore him too!
Eli loved his foster mom and his adopted siblings, but he was excited to hear he would be getting a furever family of his own.
Now, Eli’s happy, healthy and grown.
And forever grateful for the people (and animals) who cared for him.
See a video of grown-up Eli and his beloved human-mom below!
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