The night before Hurricane Milton made landfall, Nikki, the VP of A Better Life-Pet Rescue, received a call about a mother cat and her kittens desperately needing help.
The cat reportedly had been left behind for weeks after her family moved away, and she had recently given birth on the porch. With the hurricane barreling towards the area, Nikki and her team knew they had to act fast to save the feline family.
“When I arrived at the location, I got out of the truck and started walking towards the house. She came running from down the street to me, meowing,” Nikki shared with Love Meow.
She led her rescuers to her kittensNikki at A Better Life-Pet Rescue
The cat glanced at Nikki, then darted towards the porch behind the house, pausing only to ensure she was right behind her. “It was like she was trying to lead me to something. I followed her, and she showed me where they were.”
There were empty bowls on the porch, and they found the kittens hidden behind a pile of things.
They found seven kittens behind a pile of thingsNikki at A Better Life-Pet Rescue
Nikki placed some food in a carrier, and without hesitation, the cat walked straight in as if she knew her family was in good hands.
“I pulled the babies out from behind the pile of stuff and put them in the carrier with the mom. When we got home, she ate two more cans of food. She was absolutely starving. She seemed so relieved to be inside and have her babies with her.”
The family of eight was safeNikki at A Better Life-Pet Rescue
The feline family of eight was rescued just in time. Through the long night of howling winds, torrential rain, and power outages, they lay safe and dry indoors with warm beds and full bellies.
“Those kittens would not have survived the hurricane. We sheltered over 30 animals in our home during the storm.”
When they first found the mom, they could see the panic in her eyes. Now, she’s relaxed, purring up a storm with her littles by her side. “She is a very attentive mom. She takes great care of them, cleaning them and making sure they are fed.”
Some of the kittens have eye infections, and one has an injured paw. With treatment and care, they are on the mend.
The sweet mama dotes on her seven, catering to their every whim, but the moment she sees Nikki, she trots over, nudging her gently for pets as if to thank her for bringing them inside.
“This is one of my favorite rescues. She is so sweet and grateful.”
“She is happy to not have to worry about when her next meal will be and if her babies will be okay. She can rest now and live the best life she deserves.”
Despite all she’s endured, the cat continues to trust, allowing her people to help her with her kittens.
She is so happy to be indoors with her kittensNikki at A Better Life-Pet Rescue
She brushes against their legs as they replenish her food bowl, filling the room with gentle purrs.
Now sheltered and safe, the family of eight is thriving. The sweet mama is filling out, regaining her strength, while her kittens are growing plump with their ravenous appetites.
Thanks to the compassionate rescuers, this beautiful family escaped the storm’s wrath and is now beginning a new chapter, surrounded by love and free from the worries of the outside world.
