Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Stray Cat Brings The Woman Who’s Been Feeding Her For A Couple Of Days To Meet Her Babies
User submission
91.8K
603.6K

Stray Cat Brings The Woman Who’s Been Feeding Her For A Couple Of Days To Meet Her Babies

ADVERTISEMENT

While a lot of people are currently struggling to take care of themselves, let alone take care of their pets as people are losing jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, some just can’t turn away from an animal in need.

Shea Prior spotted a stray cat hanging around in her yard a couple of months back and was pleasantly surprised after she finally got the cat to trust her enough to accept food from her. Prior realized the cat was producing milk and had kittens somewhere close by.

Shea Prior first spotted this cat wandering around her yard a couple of months ago

Image credits: Shea Prior

Shea Prior spotted this adorable cat wandering around her yard a couple of months ago. It took some time to convince the cat she meant no harm and for her to get close enough that Prior could feed her. Little did she know then, she was aiding a mama cat, but she noticed the cat was producing milk a couple of days into their new feeding routine.

After some time of getting to know each other, the cat got close enough for Prior to feed her

Image credits: Shea Prior

“I was petting her and went to pick her up and that’s when I realized she had milk in and had been nursing some babies,” said Prior. She was excited about her realization and wanted to help out with the kittens, so she figured she’d just ask the cat to show her family to her.

ADVERTISEMENT

After a couple days of feeding her new friend, the woman noticed the cat was producing milk

Image credits: Shea Prior

“I started telling her to show me to her babies, and that I bet her babies were so pretty.” It seems that her words were the reassurance the mama cat needed as she led Prior to her babies the next day.

“I was petting her and went to pick her up and that’s when I realized she had milk in and had been nursing some babies,” said Prior

Image credits: Shea Prior

“She came running up to me and rubbed on my leg while making her little croaking noise she does,” Prior said. “She led me over to my shed and I looked and saw a couple little fluffballs staring back at me. She flopped over on her side and started calling to them to come out and see me.”

She started asking the mama cat to show her the babies and saying she was sure they are very pretty

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Shea Prior

The kittens were too scared to come to meet her at first, but after some reassurance by their mommy, they came out of their hiding. “One of the little gray ones was super brave and came up to me with his little pointy tail held up high in the air and let me pet him immediately,” Prior said. “Eventually, after about 10 to 15 minutes, they had all come up to me and let me hold them and pet them.”

It seems that was all the mama cat needed to hear as she took the woman to meet her little ones the next day

Image credits: Shea Prior

She knew immediately she wanted to help the adorable family and took them all in. “I will be adopting mama cat to live with me and my other two sweet girlies! All the babies have found homes and will be adopted as soon as mama is ok with it. But for now, everyone is doing great,” she said and added that she started a crowd-funding page to help take care of the cat family. “I started a GoFundMe for vet bills to get mama spayed, and get babies checked out.”

She took Prior by her shed, laid down on her side and started calling her adorable babies to come out and meet the woman

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Shea Prior

“I’ve become unemployed due to the coronavirus. I want mama taken care of, but I can’t afford it right now. Anything will help, and if there is anything left after vet bills, the remainder will be donated to my local no-kill animal shelter,” she explained. If you want to help out Prior take care of these adorable fluffballs, you can donate here.

Prior adopted the mama cat and said two of the babies are staying with her as well

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Shea Prior

All the other kittens have found homes as well and will be adopted when they get a little bit older and don’t need their mama anymore

Image credits: Shea Prior

ADVERTISEMENT

604Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Share your thoughts
Add photo comments
POST
noahkerr avatar
Water Bottle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so glad I’m not the only one who misread the title as, Woman feeds stray cat to her babies.

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, the importance of the comma cannot be over emphasised here. They really need to grammer check headings.

Load More Replies...
lindastorm2000 avatar
Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bless you! I am doing the same with two mama cat after they've been dumped in my backyard. Found out yesterday that the black mama had kittens and the calico is due soon. Again, bless you!

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

I had something similar three years ago. I had a cat coming in my yard upsetting my two geriatric kitties so I chased her off several times. She kept coming back, sweet little thing and I realized she was nursing. She belonged to the neighbors so it was a bit awkward especially when she brought her kittens over to live in our back yard. When I learned the neighbors had already killed two of the kittens, that was it -- I took them in and found homes for several of them. The neighbors eventually moved and didn't say anything about the cats so I didn't feel guilty. We kept the mom and son. The granddaughter came back to us at Christmas last year - the new owner had been mistreating her so animal control got involved. They had never changed the chip registration over from our name (fortunately) so we had no problem getting to keep her. So glad she is ok and back with us.

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

this is really sweet! but i'm just glad it's not what i originally read ("feeding her to her babies")

freyathewanderer_1 avatar
Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years ago a pregnant stray showed up on my doorstep. I took her in so her babies wouldn't end up feral. I found good forever homes for all of them with help from Petsmart, and had Ragamuffin (the mama) fixed. She was my constant companion for 17 years. Rest in piece, Rags.

btcr833 avatar
Bart Pander
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have feral or stray Cats, feed them and learn how to TNR... Trap-neuter-return.feral cats are cats that are afraid of people so not appropriate for adoption. Stray Cats are cats thrown out by their owners.

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

Abandoned or possibly lost, and not looked for. There are programs starting in many places to help "home" ferals as barn or working cats. If there's isn't one in your area, maybe you could ...

Load More Replies...
katieandjaredcoates avatar
Katie and Jared Coates
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This worked for our Mama Cat too! I said "where's the babies?" and she showed me. She lived to old age, and we still have 2 of the boys.

jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to me a few months ago, kinda. Adopted a stray cat and she was pregnant! I now have 3 kittens in my closet!

madams_1 avatar
M Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of my cats have been stray cats. Best cats in the world!

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

Am glad to hear this story had a happy ending! I'd keep them all... however, it is necessary to reiterate the importance of having your pets spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters.

christysmith_1 avatar
Christy Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love love love this! Am also a little jealous. That mama cat looks really young, I hope her new owner gets her spayed after this. Damn those kittens are cute though!

pebsadie235 avatar
Pamela E Brueckner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This story is so heartwarming...but my five senior cats would kill me if I would offer to adopt one of those babies

3142322 avatar
Living_Shadow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me so happy! She should get them spayed / neutered after so there's no more stray litters. Not that having kittens is not amazing, but to help there be less strays and more that have homes and are safe :)

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

It's for survival of course, but it doesn't change the fact she trusts you. I continuously fed a stray cat for 2 weeks straight, only managed to give her a slight touch, no more than that.

lisabateman1704 avatar
Lisa Bateman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's such a lovely story. It's remarkable how quickly the lady managed to build up trust. Usually, it's a very slow process and many will never become properly socialized.

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

Thank you for doing this! All the best and blesses to you all.

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

I think Shea is just adopting mama cat. It appears she may have two other female cats (two other girlies) already. The babies have already been adkpted out.

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

Such a wonderful story with a happy ending. Thank you!!

jeremyresnick avatar
Jeremy Resnick
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

had to read that headline a couple of times...for a second it sounds like the woman was feeding the mother to the kittens

cindycollins_1 avatar
CincyReds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"And don't their momma any more"? WE all need our momma's all the time

sharronlynnparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful people rescue animals, unfortunately, there will always be morons, they have no heart, or soul, animals are like toddlers, they need us, but once you have had a pet, the tables turn, you discover you need them, as much if not more !!!

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

Thank you, Shea, for caring about this sweet mama and her adorable babies 💕💕💕 I've said it a few times here - our world needs more people like you. You're the person I wish would get super lucky, because you'd help as many animals (cats) as you could. Checking out your GoFundMe ... I know what you're doing is hard ...

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

I have a momma cat in her favorite box about to give birth. I have no unfixed male cats. Turns out I had a 'visitor' one night--IN the house, thank you!--who--um--cohabitated with her for two days, raided the food dish voraciously, and disappeared again. And--I just heard a kitten squeal!

storm13dancer avatar
Raven Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll in quarantine because I'm diabetic & stage 3 renal failure. It isn't a choice for me. Stay home or die. When I see stories like this dear sweet lady ❤️ it cheers me up. It lets me know that this too will pass. So keep these stories coming.

danah57 avatar
Dana Hill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, a solid black cat started hanging around. Mom was allergic and didn't want a cat (she likes cats, but, allergic). Mom allowed us to feed the cat since it was hungry. After a few days, she shows up with three kitties. One solid black, one solid grey, and one solid white. Mom still wouldn't let them in the house. Then the little white one died after getting hit by a truck, so mom said they were allowed in the garage. Then the same thing happened to the grey one and finally, mom let them in the house. (Daddy got the really really good air filters for the house, so mom could breathe as long as they didn't sit in her lap.) Eventually, we took mom and kitten to get spayed and we had them until they died of old age. :)

lisa518us avatar
Lisa Pockat Bork
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad they are all being taken care of. The babies are adorable. It looks like mama kitty isn't much more than a kitten herself.

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

surely the mama cat said: "for god sake!! take away that little s**t from me."

annet_greendoorproperties avatar
Annet Schoombie
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took two strays in lockdown with me. I am from South Africa and I have been feeding two strays for the past year. When the government announced lockdown I decided to take them home with me as I knew that they got dependent on my feeding them daily and I did not know when I would be able to return to work.

patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia Rix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHY does this never happen to me??? I love cats, and I would adopt the whole family and get them vetted, but no, all the cats who visit me have loving homes of their own.

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

The wording of the title is so unfortunate. I had to do a double-take.

pebs_1 avatar
pebs
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Unfortunately, mother cat did not think she would be separated from her babies ... In any case, this woman did what she could.

msmith_3 avatar
PjandBolt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every cat that you see 99% of the time has been separated from their mother. It's a very normal thing, if they try to stay with their mother after they are kittens then there's a chance that the mother will reject the cat/not get along with it.

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

I am so glad I’m not the only one who misread the title as, Woman feeds stray cat to her babies.

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, the importance of the comma cannot be over emphasised here. They really need to grammer check headings.

Load More Replies...
lindastorm2000 avatar
Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bless you! I am doing the same with two mama cat after they've been dumped in my backyard. Found out yesterday that the black mama had kittens and the calico is due soon. Again, bless you!

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

I had something similar three years ago. I had a cat coming in my yard upsetting my two geriatric kitties so I chased her off several times. She kept coming back, sweet little thing and I realized she was nursing. She belonged to the neighbors so it was a bit awkward especially when she brought her kittens over to live in our back yard. When I learned the neighbors had already killed two of the kittens, that was it -- I took them in and found homes for several of them. The neighbors eventually moved and didn't say anything about the cats so I didn't feel guilty. We kept the mom and son. The granddaughter came back to us at Christmas last year - the new owner had been mistreating her so animal control got involved. They had never changed the chip registration over from our name (fortunately) so we had no problem getting to keep her. So glad she is ok and back with us.

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

this is really sweet! but i'm just glad it's not what i originally read ("feeding her to her babies")

freyathewanderer_1 avatar
Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years ago a pregnant stray showed up on my doorstep. I took her in so her babies wouldn't end up feral. I found good forever homes for all of them with help from Petsmart, and had Ragamuffin (the mama) fixed. She was my constant companion for 17 years. Rest in piece, Rags.

btcr833 avatar
Bart Pander
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have feral or stray Cats, feed them and learn how to TNR... Trap-neuter-return.feral cats are cats that are afraid of people so not appropriate for adoption. Stray Cats are cats thrown out by their owners.

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

Abandoned or possibly lost, and not looked for. There are programs starting in many places to help "home" ferals as barn or working cats. If there's isn't one in your area, maybe you could ...

Load More Replies...
katieandjaredcoates avatar
Katie and Jared Coates
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This worked for our Mama Cat too! I said "where's the babies?" and she showed me. She lived to old age, and we still have 2 of the boys.

jacobbeccagizmothesquirrel avatar
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to me a few months ago, kinda. Adopted a stray cat and she was pregnant! I now have 3 kittens in my closet!

madams_1 avatar
M Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of my cats have been stray cats. Best cats in the world!

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

Am glad to hear this story had a happy ending! I'd keep them all... however, it is necessary to reiterate the importance of having your pets spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters.

christysmith_1 avatar
Christy Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love love love this! Am also a little jealous. That mama cat looks really young, I hope her new owner gets her spayed after this. Damn those kittens are cute though!

pebsadie235 avatar
Pamela E Brueckner
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This story is so heartwarming...but my five senior cats would kill me if I would offer to adopt one of those babies

3142322 avatar
Living_Shadow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me so happy! She should get them spayed / neutered after so there's no more stray litters. Not that having kittens is not amazing, but to help there be less strays and more that have homes and are safe :)

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

It's for survival of course, but it doesn't change the fact she trusts you. I continuously fed a stray cat for 2 weeks straight, only managed to give her a slight touch, no more than that.

lisabateman1704 avatar
Lisa Bateman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's such a lovely story. It's remarkable how quickly the lady managed to build up trust. Usually, it's a very slow process and many will never become properly socialized.

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

Thank you for doing this! All the best and blesses to you all.

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

I think Shea is just adopting mama cat. It appears she may have two other female cats (two other girlies) already. The babies have already been adkpted out.

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

Such a wonderful story with a happy ending. Thank you!!

jeremyresnick avatar
Jeremy Resnick
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

had to read that headline a couple of times...for a second it sounds like the woman was feeding the mother to the kittens

cindycollins_1 avatar
CincyReds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"And don't their momma any more"? WE all need our momma's all the time

sharronlynnparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful people rescue animals, unfortunately, there will always be morons, they have no heart, or soul, animals are like toddlers, they need us, but once you have had a pet, the tables turn, you discover you need them, as much if not more !!!

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

Thank you, Shea, for caring about this sweet mama and her adorable babies 💕💕💕 I've said it a few times here - our world needs more people like you. You're the person I wish would get super lucky, because you'd help as many animals (cats) as you could. Checking out your GoFundMe ... I know what you're doing is hard ...

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

I have a momma cat in her favorite box about to give birth. I have no unfixed male cats. Turns out I had a 'visitor' one night--IN the house, thank you!--who--um--cohabitated with her for two days, raided the food dish voraciously, and disappeared again. And--I just heard a kitten squeal!

storm13dancer avatar
Raven Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll in quarantine because I'm diabetic & stage 3 renal failure. It isn't a choice for me. Stay home or die. When I see stories like this dear sweet lady ❤️ it cheers me up. It lets me know that this too will pass. So keep these stories coming.

danah57 avatar
Dana Hill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, a solid black cat started hanging around. Mom was allergic and didn't want a cat (she likes cats, but, allergic). Mom allowed us to feed the cat since it was hungry. After a few days, she shows up with three kitties. One solid black, one solid grey, and one solid white. Mom still wouldn't let them in the house. Then the little white one died after getting hit by a truck, so mom said they were allowed in the garage. Then the same thing happened to the grey one and finally, mom let them in the house. (Daddy got the really really good air filters for the house, so mom could breathe as long as they didn't sit in her lap.) Eventually, we took mom and kitten to get spayed and we had them until they died of old age. :)

lisa518us avatar
Lisa Pockat Bork
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad they are all being taken care of. The babies are adorable. It looks like mama kitty isn't much more than a kitten herself.

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

surely the mama cat said: "for god sake!! take away that little s**t from me."

annet_greendoorproperties avatar
Annet Schoombie
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took two strays in lockdown with me. I am from South Africa and I have been feeding two strays for the past year. When the government announced lockdown I decided to take them home with me as I knew that they got dependent on my feeding them daily and I did not know when I would be able to return to work.

patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia Rix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHY does this never happen to me??? I love cats, and I would adopt the whole family and get them vetted, but no, all the cats who visit me have loving homes of their own.

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

The wording of the title is so unfortunate. I had to do a double-take.

pebs_1 avatar
pebs
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Unfortunately, mother cat did not think she would be separated from her babies ... In any case, this woman did what she could.

msmith_3 avatar
PjandBolt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every cat that you see 99% of the time has been separated from their mother. It's a very normal thing, if they try to stay with their mother after they are kittens then there's a chance that the mother will reject the cat/not get along with it.

Load More Replies...
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda