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Stray Cat ‘Asks’ Woman To Let Her Inside So She Can Have Her Babies
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Stray Cat ‘Asks’ Woman To Let Her Inside So She Can Have Her Babies

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Artist Ida Floreak is from Cambridge, Massachusetts, but has been living in New Orleans for about 10 years now. Over time, Ida has really settled in the place she now calls home and has met some cool people along the way. And cats.

At the beginning of last fall, a stray cat started hanging around the artist’s house. Floreak has a kitty of her own and noticed that it was probably her pet inviting the stranger over. Either way, she named the frequent guest Salami and showed her what true hospitality means.

More info: Instagram

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

“[My cat Bruce] is a 7-year-old Siamese, and about twice her size. He’s big and very rude but I love him. Salami does too — he’s the reason she started coming by,” Floreak told Bored Panda. “I would let him outside for a little while and they would hang out in the backyard together. When he would come back in, she started to follow him. Now they hang out all day, nap together, and groom each other. It’s very sweet.”

Image credits: idafloreak

As Salami continued to spend time with Bruce, Floreak tried to win her trust and get close enough to catch the skittish cat to take her to the vet to get her fixed and vaccinated. But before Salami was comfortable enough for that, Floreak noticed that she was pregnant.

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Image credits: idafloreak

“One day, Salami started meowing insistently at my door at 5 a.m. I had started feeding her at this point so she knew to come by, but she had never been so insistent and certainly never so early,” the artist explained. There’s nothing a mother wouldn’t do to keep her babies safe, and Salami probably didn’t want hers to grow up on the streets. So she asked for help. “Salami came inside and just meowed at me for a few hours so I figured something was about to happen; she was so round at that point.”

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Floreak let her in and she started to have her babies around 8 or 9 a.m. This took the woman by surprise because Floreak figured when she had them, she would go away for a couple of weeks or so.

Floreak did everything she could to help Salami, giving her blankets and making the bedroom a quiet safe space. After a while, four tiny kittens entered this world. Floreak said she was nervous to witness everything since she hadn’t seen or done anything like this before, but it was clear that Salami knew exactly what to do and everyone got through the intense experience just fine.

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Image credits: idafloreak

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Image credits: idafloreak

“Salami lives with me now,” Floreak said. “I was able to get her fixed and vaccinated, and she and Bruce hang out all day together. She’s adjusted really well, and is a very sweet and loving little cat. All of the kittens have gone to friends: one is in Mississippi, and the other three are all in my neighborhood. I’m glad I get to still have a connection with them.”

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

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The artist added that this was a really nice quarantine distraction when it was still at the beginning stages and everything was particularly scary and confusing. “I had an extra reason to stay inside the house, and something hopeful.”

The story also serves as a reminder about spaying or neutering your cat or dog. To find out more about these procedures, visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

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Image credits: idafloreak

Image credits: idafloreak

Here’s what people said about the heartwarming story

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sophiaschiltgen avatar
Opazi Marcha
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you to all these people helping stray animals. It’s a lovely thing. I hope her and her kittens do well!

sararussell avatar
SaraFromHell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I currently have 8 strays I care for. I'm friends w the animal catcher and she's like me..unless the animal is unfixable and will forever suffer...We help it! All lives matter!! Get it!?😳

Load More Replies...
abdk333 avatar
K Witmer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found maybe 2 day old kitten in the rain on the edge of my property when I was running back in the house when it started to storm. I never took care of a baby animal so little wo a mom. Weird thing was I had just watched a YouTube tutorial on how to bottle feed a kitten.my chihuahua and I raised her. She's the sweetest. I never found the mama cat but I did put food and water out for months until I saw a fox eating it for a few nights in a row it's been a year. I still watch out for her

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tabby kitten belly alert! Lovely story, hope they are all doing well.

snorincats avatar
Kathy Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the baby Buddha bellies! The funny faces! The pretzel-shaped sleep positions! How anyone can resist all that cuteness is beyond me—-you’d have to be made of the coldest and iciest stone to not absolutely melt at the sight.

Load More Replies...
sax1stluv avatar
Lily Grace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found a pregnant almost all black baby in the dead of winter & took her in because I couldn't bare the thought of her having kittens outside in the freezing cold & snow. She had 5 kittens & I found homes for all of them (4 went to friends 1 went to a lovely couple who already had a cat). Mama was fixed & now lives a fat happy life with me.

biljanamalesevic avatar
Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a black cat and when you look at her you can totally understand why in ancient Egypt she was considered a Goddess. I mean, that cat looks amazing, with silky black fur and golden eyes. And these kitties will look awesome too. Tiger kitty is maybe closer to Bengals, also a beauty.

s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not odd that a cat 'asks' for something. Sometimes my cat will wait by her food, until I go over and move her to the food, whereupon she starts eating. As an aside though, she is sometimes 'too posh to push', I either have to open the cat flap or backdoor for her. But what the heck, she owns the place. I just have to look after it for her.

a_m_pierre avatar
A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there any day that can't be improved by kitten pictures?

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what I needed. Adorable kitten pictures and a story with a happy ending. Thank you!!

mjw0sysascend_com avatar
lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me feel great and at the same time it made me tear up. So much love. Thank you.

giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Our" strays love each other as well. Both neutered. We love them and they are so funny.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must say, Salami is an adorable name for her! I love that she trusted Ida enough to come to her house to have her kittens there!

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a sweet story. Like the article said, there is nothing a mother wouldn't do to make sure that her babies have a safe place to grow up. All of her kittens are adorable.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would you let her in having babies? I would help her settle in, we might probably ended up adopt mama and 3 other black kitten lol

joellen_washburn avatar
Jo Ellen Washburn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was taking care of a stray in S Korea. Then I was taking care of a stray and her one kitten. On the last day before we were moving back to the US (and after much effort contacting all kinds of people and organizations), I found them both a home! It was very stressful worrying about what was going to happen when we left. Happy ending! (And, no, I would not have been able to bring them with us for many reasons.)

lamyo16 avatar
Lamb Taylor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same happened to me and my girlfriend on holiday in Portugal. A black cat exactly like this one came up to our chalet to be friendly. Next day 5 kittens were lying on our sofa. The mother died suspiciously just after and we spent the rest of the holiday bottle feeding. I wasn't going to leave them so we sneaked them back to Paris by plane where we were living. Kept 2 and found loving homes for the others. The tabby is just like the one we kept. The others were black and white. Don't ever hesitate to help these creatures. The joy of having them will be much more than the inconvenience.

lisameckler avatar
Lisa Meckler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was feeding a stray for years and gave her a heating pad and a warm place to stay in my garage (by leaving a window open all year for her.) I used to see her at least once or twice a day. One day about six months ago she just stopped coming and I haven't seen her since. I know the worst has happened but somehow I still hope.

steve_112 avatar
steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lovely story & a very special woman to care for the kitty's! We are all God's creatures.

552fab0e35350 avatar
Mad Mar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You wouldn't let a pregnant girl live outside to give birth so bringing in a cat who asks is about the same. It's just simple kindness.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all people see an animal life equal to human life, that is why there are "people" who would not help human either.

Load More Replies...
kcanded avatar
KCN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A herd of cows. A flock of geese. A school of fish. And a cuddle of kitties.

reptilegirl30 avatar
Candice Ravel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't people fix their pets? This is no win battle when people continue to be irresponsible and abandon their unfixed pets. To all fellow animal lovers, we need to continue to educate the idiots who won't fix their animals.

sianamckechnie avatar
Tessa Gray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom had saved a stray dog off the streets and named him Malikai. He was adorable but incredibly skittish. He would only let my mom touch him. I stayed outside for hours hoping he would warm up to me, and he did! One time he even curled up against me. I was very upset when my mom called animal control to go get him, even though i knew she couldn't care for him. I hope his in a lovely home.

faithsovyrda avatar
Faith Nicole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a beautiful story, mama and babies Thank you for allowing her into your life. That one picture with the tabby kitten poking its little head up from behind mama is just the cutest picture ever 😍 kitten has some early stink eye action going on 🤣

email_9 avatar
Loraine D.G. MacGinness
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We took in a stray cat, or so we thought only to discover she lived round the corner but, she insisted she stayed with us. They gave their blessing ! Their little cat stayed with us long enough to have her babies !! After 8 weeks she went on her travels leaving us with two adorable kittens which e had all their life. Best present ever.

allenjohn avatar
Allen John
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second picture reminded me of an instance where a pregnant teenager comes to door of her lover to say she is pregnant. And the teenage boy would be like, "Mooooom..."

glasswalkers_04 avatar
Liesa Yopp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So instead of having a black sheep of the family she had a spotted belly sheep? So freaking cute.

alankatz avatar
alan katz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Black cats bring nothing but joy - just my personal experience. Hopefully all these little ones find good homes and get spayed and neutered.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why to be so specific, alan katz? Almost all animals make grateful and loyal friends. "Until you have been loved by an animal, you will never truly understand unconditional love.'

Load More Replies...
rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tabby tummy spots! The black ones appear to have a "fever coat", suggesting that mama may have been fighting an infection at some point in the pregnancy.

beejayw avatar
Ben Smith
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hope she took that cat to get fixed afterward. Last thing we need is more unwanted animals

mdr_1 avatar
Potato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're an idiot. It doesn't say that Bruce is the father. It doesn't say he isn't fixed. There isn't even a Siamese-looking kitten. You are either cognitively deficient or are being deliberately obtuse.

Load More Replies...
sophiaschiltgen avatar
Opazi Marcha
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you to all these people helping stray animals. It’s a lovely thing. I hope her and her kittens do well!

sararussell avatar
SaraFromHell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I currently have 8 strays I care for. I'm friends w the animal catcher and she's like me..unless the animal is unfixable and will forever suffer...We help it! All lives matter!! Get it!?😳

Load More Replies...
abdk333 avatar
K Witmer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found maybe 2 day old kitten in the rain on the edge of my property when I was running back in the house when it started to storm. I never took care of a baby animal so little wo a mom. Weird thing was I had just watched a YouTube tutorial on how to bottle feed a kitten.my chihuahua and I raised her. She's the sweetest. I never found the mama cat but I did put food and water out for months until I saw a fox eating it for a few nights in a row it's been a year. I still watch out for her

wianjama avatar
Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tabby kitten belly alert! Lovely story, hope they are all doing well.

snorincats avatar
Kathy Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the baby Buddha bellies! The funny faces! The pretzel-shaped sleep positions! How anyone can resist all that cuteness is beyond me—-you’d have to be made of the coldest and iciest stone to not absolutely melt at the sight.

Load More Replies...
sax1stluv avatar
Lily Grace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found a pregnant almost all black baby in the dead of winter & took her in because I couldn't bare the thought of her having kittens outside in the freezing cold & snow. She had 5 kittens & I found homes for all of them (4 went to friends 1 went to a lovely couple who already had a cat). Mama was fixed & now lives a fat happy life with me.

biljanamalesevic avatar
Biljana Malesevic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a black cat and when you look at her you can totally understand why in ancient Egypt she was considered a Goddess. I mean, that cat looks amazing, with silky black fur and golden eyes. And these kitties will look awesome too. Tiger kitty is maybe closer to Bengals, also a beauty.

s_p_barnett avatar
Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not odd that a cat 'asks' for something. Sometimes my cat will wait by her food, until I go over and move her to the food, whereupon she starts eating. As an aside though, she is sometimes 'too posh to push', I either have to open the cat flap or backdoor for her. But what the heck, she owns the place. I just have to look after it for her.

a_m_pierre avatar
A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there any day that can't be improved by kitten pictures?

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what I needed. Adorable kitten pictures and a story with a happy ending. Thank you!!

mjw0sysascend_com avatar
lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me feel great and at the same time it made me tear up. So much love. Thank you.

giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Our" strays love each other as well. Both neutered. We love them and they are so funny.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must say, Salami is an adorable name for her! I love that she trusted Ida enough to come to her house to have her kittens there!

deannawoods avatar
deanna woods
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a sweet story. Like the article said, there is nothing a mother wouldn't do to make sure that her babies have a safe place to grow up. All of her kittens are adorable.

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would you let her in having babies? I would help her settle in, we might probably ended up adopt mama and 3 other black kitten lol

joellen_washburn avatar
Jo Ellen Washburn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was taking care of a stray in S Korea. Then I was taking care of a stray and her one kitten. On the last day before we were moving back to the US (and after much effort contacting all kinds of people and organizations), I found them both a home! It was very stressful worrying about what was going to happen when we left. Happy ending! (And, no, I would not have been able to bring them with us for many reasons.)

lamyo16 avatar
Lamb Taylor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same happened to me and my girlfriend on holiday in Portugal. A black cat exactly like this one came up to our chalet to be friendly. Next day 5 kittens were lying on our sofa. The mother died suspiciously just after and we spent the rest of the holiday bottle feeding. I wasn't going to leave them so we sneaked them back to Paris by plane where we were living. Kept 2 and found loving homes for the others. The tabby is just like the one we kept. The others were black and white. Don't ever hesitate to help these creatures. The joy of having them will be much more than the inconvenience.

lisameckler avatar
Lisa Meckler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was feeding a stray for years and gave her a heating pad and a warm place to stay in my garage (by leaving a window open all year for her.) I used to see her at least once or twice a day. One day about six months ago she just stopped coming and I haven't seen her since. I know the worst has happened but somehow I still hope.

steve_112 avatar
steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lovely story & a very special woman to care for the kitty's! We are all God's creatures.

552fab0e35350 avatar
Mad Mar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You wouldn't let a pregnant girl live outside to give birth so bringing in a cat who asks is about the same. It's just simple kindness.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all people see an animal life equal to human life, that is why there are "people" who would not help human either.

Load More Replies...
kcanded avatar
KCN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A herd of cows. A flock of geese. A school of fish. And a cuddle of kitties.

reptilegirl30 avatar
Candice Ravel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't people fix their pets? This is no win battle when people continue to be irresponsible and abandon their unfixed pets. To all fellow animal lovers, we need to continue to educate the idiots who won't fix their animals.

sianamckechnie avatar
Tessa Gray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom had saved a stray dog off the streets and named him Malikai. He was adorable but incredibly skittish. He would only let my mom touch him. I stayed outside for hours hoping he would warm up to me, and he did! One time he even curled up against me. I was very upset when my mom called animal control to go get him, even though i knew she couldn't care for him. I hope his in a lovely home.

faithsovyrda avatar
Faith Nicole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a beautiful story, mama and babies Thank you for allowing her into your life. That one picture with the tabby kitten poking its little head up from behind mama is just the cutest picture ever 😍 kitten has some early stink eye action going on 🤣

email_9 avatar
Loraine D.G. MacGinness
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We took in a stray cat, or so we thought only to discover she lived round the corner but, she insisted she stayed with us. They gave their blessing ! Their little cat stayed with us long enough to have her babies !! After 8 weeks she went on her travels leaving us with two adorable kittens which e had all their life. Best present ever.

allenjohn avatar
Allen John
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second picture reminded me of an instance where a pregnant teenager comes to door of her lover to say she is pregnant. And the teenage boy would be like, "Mooooom..."

glasswalkers_04 avatar
Liesa Yopp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So instead of having a black sheep of the family she had a spotted belly sheep? So freaking cute.

alankatz avatar
alan katz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Black cats bring nothing but joy - just my personal experience. Hopefully all these little ones find good homes and get spayed and neutered.

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why to be so specific, alan katz? Almost all animals make grateful and loyal friends. "Until you have been loved by an animal, you will never truly understand unconditional love.'

Load More Replies...
rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tabby tummy spots! The black ones appear to have a "fever coat", suggesting that mama may have been fighting an infection at some point in the pregnancy.

beejayw avatar
Ben Smith
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hope she took that cat to get fixed afterward. Last thing we need is more unwanted animals

mdr_1 avatar
Potato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're an idiot. It doesn't say that Bruce is the father. It doesn't say he isn't fixed. There isn't even a Siamese-looking kitten. You are either cognitively deficient or are being deliberately obtuse.

Load More Replies...
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