One summer day, Lisianne was in her yard when she noticed a fluffy black cat walking close. The cat belonged to a strays colony near her home in Québec, Canada, and appeared hungry, so she placed a dish of food and water out for it.
Lisianne called the cat Usagi, and the two established a routine in which Lisianne would leave food for the waiting cat, and Usagi grew to trust her more and more with each passing day. Usagi’s tummy began to expand, and Lisianne understood it wasn’t due to her new diet.
“With this routine, the lady gained confidence and the kitty began to get closer,” a local rescue group, Chatons Orphelins Montréal, wrote on Facebook. “The kitten gave birth outside, but she returned to eat every day.”
After a few weeks, Usagi thought it was time to introduce Lisianne to her new family. The cat brought her kittens out one by one until all six were lined up on Lisianne’s doorstep. The 6-week-old kittens resembled tiny replicas of their mother, and it was evident that the little family required assistance.
Lisianne enticed the mother and her children into her home and contacted the rescue organization Chatons Orphelins Montréal. “The mother and her six children were finally secure,” said Chatons Orphelins Montréal. “[Lisianne] chose to retain the mother and had her treated and spayed, and one of her friends took one of the kittens under her wing.”
Rescue workers discovered Usagi had requested help barely in time at the shelter. The remaining kittens developed conjunctivitis and were having difficulties breathing. The vet was able to treat them, and their condition improved fast. As they healed, they became acclimated to being near people.
“The babies were reserved, and they required interaction,” stated Chatons Orphelins Montréal. “They began to trust and come out of their shells.” “The kids enjoy having fun together.”
The remaining five kittens are now ready to find their permanent homes, and they will be able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort thanks to their kind mom who took a chance.
