After a month of waiting, a kind-hearted person finally returned to the shelter to rescue Marigold, a cat, and her litter of kittens, offering them a much-needed second chance at life.
Lori White, a dedicated volunteer from the Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO), first encountered Marigold and her newborn kittens while transporting other animals from a local shelter.
Marigold’s sweet, “squishy” face instantly captured Lori’s heart. Despite being fully occupied with other foster animals, Lori felt a deep connection and quietly promised the little family that she would return. She told Marigold:
“When I had space at my house, I’d come back for her.”
True to her word, Lori returned to the shelter a month later, hoping to find Marigold and her kittens settled into a new home. Instead, she found them still waiting in the same small cage.
By now, the kittens: Buzz Buzz, Bumble Bee, Sunflower, and Shasta Daisy, were old enough to explore, but their world was limited to cold cage bars and three walls.
Marigold greeted Lori warmly as if sensing that her time had finally come. That very day, Lori took the family home, setting them up in a cozy space where they could finally stretch, play, and explore.
For the kittens, who had spent their first month in confinement, the freedom to roam brought pure joy. Except for chonky Bumble, the kittens were underweight, barely the size of three-week-olds.
Marigold was overjoyed with her new environment and quickly expressed her gratitude by purring nonstop and climbing into Lori’s lap.
Her relief was palpable, she finally had a safe and comfortable place to nurture her babies. However, adjusting to their new lives wasn’t without challenges.
The entire family suffered from stomach troubles and parasite infections. Lori provided round-the-clock supportive care, ensuring they stayed hydrated and received necessary treatments.
Despite their health struggles, Marigold remained an attentive and patient mother, as Lori explained in an interview:
“It really helped that Marigold was nursing them as they did not have any interest in wet kitten food at first.”
One of the kittens, Daisy, worried Lori because of her sudden weight loss. But thanks to constant care and monitoring, Daisy made a strong recovery, becoming more curious and active with her siblings.
On the other hand, Marigold, weighing only five pounds, needed help gaining weight herself. Lori is focused on providing the mama cat with nourishing meals and dental care, so she can eat without pain and fully enjoy her food.
Marigold’s gentle, loving personality has become more evident as she settles into her foster home. Lori describes her as a unique mother, noting her quirky nursing style and the way she often sticks her tongue out, bringing laughter to everyone who sees her
“Her sweet and fun personality will make a wonderful addition to someone’s family once she’s ready for adoption.”
The rescue marked a turning point for this feline family. With a nurturing environment and dedicated care, Marigold and her kittens are thriving.
Each day brings them closer to being healthy and ready for adoption, hoping that Marigold’s future home will be as full of love as she is.
For now, Marigold continues to be the attentive mother her kittens need, while filling the room with soothing purrs and playful energy. Thanks to Lori’s compassion and determination, this little family has a brighter, healthier future ahead of them.
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