Woman Grows Attached to a Stray Cat That Was Hiding a Major Surprise
| LAST UPDATE 03/19/2023
In 2018, there were 58 million stray cats around the United States. So, when a mysterious kitty appeared out of nowhere, a Texas woman took it in. With no owner in sight, she soon discovered some surprises after bringing it to safety...
Who's There?
Erin Breean was going about her day quite casually when everything changed. Given the rising rate of stray cats, it was quite normal to see animals wandering the streets. But this time was different.
After Breean noticed a cat wandering around her yard, she initially thought it was a lost kitty from a nearby neighbor. Though the furry stranger showed up a few times a week, eventually, the visitor began making more frequent appearances. Breean started to become more curious as weeks went by.
Unexpected Guest
The cat eyed her warily from across the porch, almost like a CEO assessing a potential business partner. Funnily enough, Breean did not let it go unnoticed. She, too, had her on the cat that appeared every now and then. It soon became a staring game, and while this was Breean's turf, the kitty wasn't backing down.
As she peered out onto her front yard, the kitty began to take tiny steps towards her as if it was plotting something devious – and she had no doubt; this fur ball, with its mysterious lack of any identifying collar, had to be a stray. She wondered what this cat was doing. Then again, animals have very strange instincts.
Taking Things Slow
Erin was determined to befriend the skittish kitty, but of course, she was hesitant. Any stray animal is questionable; how many shots have they had? Have they had any at all? Plus, no one knows where they have been before, so it's always good to get them checked out. But Erin cut to the chase.
She reached out her hand and waited for the shy kitty to retaliate. The stay animal seemed timid and uncertain about trusting Erin, but all it took was some tasty snacks and refreshing water. Before she knew it, the feline hesitantly allowed their new friendship to bloom - belly rubs included! Then again, who says no to snacks?
Welcoming Kevin
Erin instantly fell for the fluffy feline, and in return, the cat started to follow her every move. She gave him a nickname in the meantime; Kevin. It was like meeting a new friend for the first time. They were getting to know each other slowly, understanding their routines, and learning how to communicate through actions and play.
However, the first thing she had to do was make sure Kevin wasn't taken. Until then, though, there were countless belly rubs exchanged, and bribes paid off! With no microchip found in sight, a new forever home with a cuddly companion named Kevin became a reality… and his purrs filled the air with joy!
Tracing His Steps
Erin was determined to find out if Kevin belonged to someone else, so she decided to search for any clues - whether this was a collar with a tag or a number. And to her surprise, and luck, she discovered that Kevin was microchipped. This could potentially give her the answers that she needed so early on.
Her initial thought was that Kevin's family might want him back or maybe had been searching for him for days! But, the main point was that there was a source to provide some information about his background. So she plotted her mission - cornering the pup for an undercover vet check-up.
Seeking Shelter
For four days straight, Erin tried her hardest to safely and securely capture Kevin. The poor kitty thought she was trying to cat-nap him! But instead, all she wanted was to make sure he was doing alright, especially with that microchip in hand, there was definitely some digging to do.
Erin still couldn't catch her mystery guest. He was a smart feline - not too hesitant, but marked a small territory in her front yard. He even began to wander inside, all the way into Erin's office, and perched himself behind her as if he was coming in to say "hi!" This was her chance - so she grabbed him and rushed off to the vet.
Right Kitten, Right Time
In all honesty, although it was a surprise, it seemed Kevin was a much-needed presence in Erin's life at this point. She felt like a piece of her life was missing after her last cat, Max, had just disappeared. It was almost like a blessing in disguise - but first, she needed to clarify a few things.
Erin was experiencing grief after she lost her last kitten, and she knew it was vital to learn Kevin's background before becoming too attached. His past was important and for both their sakes. It was the perfect timing for them to meet, and who knew where this journey would take both of them...
Identity Crisis
So, get this: after Erin finally picked up Kevin and took him to the vet, she was taken by the fact that he was definitely not microchipped. Immediately, she had thoughts running through her mind. However, her main priority was making sure Kevin was a healthy kitten. But, before that, she learned she needed to give him a new name.
After doing a little digging, the vet confirmed that Kevin was actually a female kitten. Talk about a plot twist! So now Erin had to come up with a new fun nickname that matched her feline femininity a little better. But that was the least of her problems as the vet continued to reveal crazier information about 'Kevin.'
Unannounced Visitor
If the trip to the vet couldn't get any crazier, Erin became lost for words after discovering she was not about to be held accountable for one female feline. That's right, Kevin was pregnant! This news blew the first surprise out of the way fast, as Erin now had bigger concerns.
When they found out Kevin was a female, they had to run more tests, especially as they had just found out she was pregnant. Erin's nerves started to take a toll - whether they were good or bad. But the news didn't stop there. What she thought was a quick trip to the vet turned out to be an information overload!
X-Ray Vision
They scanned the kitty from head to toe and took a few X-rays to see what was going on inside that little kitten's tummy. Just with every pregnancy, it's important to check the fetus is growing at a normal rate and is looking as expected to the vet. While everything looked normal, more surprises came up, one by one.
Erin was overwhelmed by everything that had gone on, from initially picking up the stray to taking her to the vet and finding out that there was a lot more to take care of than she ever expected! Eventually, the vet announced the news that there were 4 to 5 kittens to be born, and Kevin could be going into labor any minute!
Too Little, Too Late
Sure, Erin wasn't a cat expert or anything, but she'd lowkey fallen for this preggo kitty, Kevin. While her last cat experience didn't go quite the same, she definitely felt out of her comfort zone, worrying if she'd be able to manage taking care of a pregnant feline, especially with four or five more on the way!
However, it seemed a little too late to put this responsibility on to someone else. Erin had fallen in love quickly and became obsessed with the idea of having loads of tiny kittens around her. Still, it was her decision when it came down to who would be taking care of multiple cats. Was this something she wanted to take on board?
Instant Friends
Erin was an animal lover and would do almost anything to care for any animal in need, as seen with what she did with Kevin! However, there was a small plot twist that she had to figure her way around. Erin already owned a dog, Murphy, and she questioned whether the two would get along… dogs are very territorial.
This was why Erin was very hesitant when she first came across Kevin in her front yard. Of course, she wanted to cater to the cat's needs, but Murphy was her priority at the time. She wasn't too sure how he would react if he saw a surprise feline make its way through the house. This was Murphy's turf!
Preparing for the Arrival
Murphy was the real MVP. He behaved perfectly when Erin brought Kevin into their home, exceeding all of Erin's expectations. Now, that's a real best friend for life! Murphy even started helping out pregnant Kevin like a true friend. Who said cats and dogs are enemies?
When it came to preparing for labor, Erin went all out. She created a zen birthing zone for Kevin's big moment to set a calming scene before the storm. Although she was lowkey freaking out, googling everything about cat labor - but hey, don't we all? She had never experienced this before and wanted to put Kevin at ease.
A Warm Welcome
Erin continued to prepare, and the days were getting shorter and shorter. She could tell Kevin was in full-mother mode and preparing for only a couple of hours left as the lone kitten in the house. Four days later, after confirming her pregnancy, Kevin gave birth!
She gave birth to four tiny kittens. It was the most beautiful experience Erin had been a part of, and thankfully, big supporter Murphy was right by their side. All of Erin's nerves disappeared, overwhelmed with joy as she witnessed four new lives start their journey, and Kevin's motherly instincts kicked in straight away...
Natural Mother
While Kevin did all the hard work, it was still very emotional and rewarding for Erin. As she helped prepare for Kevin to go into labor, she felt proud of herself for supporting such a magical moment. As well, she saw how much of a natural kitten mama Kevin became straight away.
Erin recalled, "From the first time we spotted her in the green belt to today on our couch, she talks nonstop. She has full conversations with her kittens, which is cute to hear from the other room." We can't imagine how crazy but joyous it must be to watch kittens go ahead with their lives from the get-go, and even Murphy got emotional!
Murphy's Magic
It wasn't just Erin that was taken back by this motherly moment, as even Murphy became very attached. He fell in love with Kevin and her new kittens, although he wasn't allowed to meet them straight away after Kevin gave birth. They were so tiny, and Murphy was a big dog! So just for precaution, Erin put the introduction on hold.
Erin didn't want Murphy to think they were new chew toys! After five days, she decided it was finally time for Murphy to meet the newborns after they had some time to settle into the world. Erin claimed, "He is obsessed with her kittens, and the kittens love to climb all over him, pounce on his tail, and sneak up and stalk him."
Planning Ahead
It was all fun and games until reality hit, and Erin realized she had Murphy plus five cats in her household. Unfortunately, the situation was not sustainable. She could not let herself be blinded by the cuteness overload. It might be hard to say no to five cute fluffy kittens, but she had to be practical.
Things were going well while Erin was caring for all the animals, but she eventually contacted Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. She knew it wasn't ideal to add five kittens to her family, so she decided to start the fostering process. However, she needed to know the kittens were being put somewhere safe and loving.
No Feline Gets Left Behind
Erin knew putting the kittens into foster care was the correct choice. However, they had just been born, and it was cruel to separate them so early on. She had no control over the situation but wanted to make sure that the kittens would not be pulled apart at the first option that came along.
What the animal shelter did confirm was that when the kittens were old enough, they would be adopted in pairs. Erin was definitely satisfied with this compromise. Everyone needs a bit of family by their side at all times. It was also a huge sigh of relief to Erin, knowing they would grow up with some of them in the same home!
Falling for Kevin
With some answers in mind, this didn't mean things got easier for Erin knowing she was going to have to let these kittens go one day. Specifically, it was Kevin whom she was not ready to give up. Considering their journey together, it's almost as if they were meant to find each other, the perfect human-to-cat connection.
Although Kevin was the mother to the four baby kittens, they built a friendship that couldn't be broken so fast. If that happened, who knew if Erin would find another cat like Kevin again? As well, since she and Murphy were getting along so well, it was only right that Erin would keep her a part of the family! She couldn't say goodbye.
A Helping Hand
One thing is for sure - despite Erin having to let go of the kittens - if she hadn't picked up Kevin in the first place, who knows where she would have given birth? She would have been stranded on the streets, in the cold, and without security surrounding her new babies. However, other residents in the neighborhood have found solutions.
A fellow animal foster who lived nearby Erin, Meggie, added a cat enclosure to her porch after flooding caused some issues in their area, Quebec. Meggie came across this idea after she had a certain stray herself which kept creeping its way back into her yard often. Similarly, this stray left three newborns behind and fled...
Floods of Surprises
Meggie possessed the same moral values as Erin when it came to animals. She wasn't just going to let stray cats come onto her property and watch them suffer out in the outdoors without proper protection. So, she came up with the enclosure box as a DIY shelter, and without surprise, the cat appreciated and used the box!
When a flood struck the neighborhood, Meggie found something rather unusual when she went to check the box on the porch. She undoubtedly thought she would find the stray cat having a rest, but instead, she couldn't believe her eyes as three small kittens sat there without their mother. The mother had left them.
Cat Cam
Unlike Kevin, this cat clearly did not have the motherly instincts to stay and protect her newborns. Meggie couldn't believe what was happening and, frankly, didn't know what to do other than care for them as much as she could. She kept a close eye on them as much as possible but panicked when they weren't all there.
As she went back and forth from her house to the box, she noticed two of the kittens had disappeared. She wondered how they escaped being newborns and instantly thought the mother came back to get them and left one alone. Nevertheless, the mother and two kittens never returned, so Meggie got involved out of fear.
Kitten In Custody
Meggie and her boyfriend waited for a few days to see if the mother of the kittens would return. Unfortunately, their patience was coming to an end, and they came to the realization the cat was not going to return. They couldn't watch the stray and lone kitten anymore, so they took matters into their own hands.
They made the unanimous decision to bring the kitten inside. They tried to handle the situation to the best of their ability, so they gathered a bottle and fed the hungry newborn, watched over her, bathed her, and kept her safe until they came to a solution. Although, Meggie's boyfriend came across something alarming.
Lost & Found
Meggie expressed to Love Meow, "My boyfriend found them scattered in another spot in my yard. They were out in the open, and the cat mom never came back for them." The saddening sight left the couple distraught. After realizing their own mother left them behind, they couldn't sit back and watch any longer.
On the bright side, if the kittens had to be left in any yard, it was lucky to be left with Meggie and her boyfriend. They took in all three kittens and treated them equally, feeding them until their small tummies were full and giving them a cozy place to sleep peacefully together!
Cat O'Clock
Meggie and her boyfriend didn't think this was going to be any walk in the park. Similar to Erin's situation, they both prepared lightly for something they had never done before. Of course, they knew the basics of taking care of an infant, including vet checks and keeping them warm and fed.
Meggie fed them every two hours, and, much like a real newborn, she was on the go for a few weeks. When the kittens reached eight weeks old, they became more independent. This was heartwarming to her and her boyfriend, knowing they had done a pretty good job. They grew a bond and named the kittens matching each of their personalities!
The Great Return
Meet kittens Trunks, Runty, and Saria. They were growing up to be sassy, energetic felines. The three uber-cute kittens had no limits! This fab couple with a passion for animals helped them grow into the play-loving furballs we know today. While their hands were as full as their hearts, they never stopped waiting for the momma's return.
So while Meggie was already fostering many animals, the momma cat came back, but she wasn't alone. She brought FOUR tiny fluffballs with her! Of course, she initially fled and left her adorable new kitties for Meggie to take care of. Now things were taken too far, and Meggie was not prepared to take on more responsibility.
Staying Away
Meggie and her boyfriend thought the best next step was to capture the mother cat, stopping her from running off and bringing back more newborns. This cat might have got the impression that Meggie was a cat shelter after thinking it was sensible to leave the original three behind in the first place. But the mother cat was fierce.
Once they captured the momma, it seemed to be cautious of her surroundings. Although this was strange since she left her own newborns behind. She might have felt threatened by Meggie's overpowering motherly instincts. Still, she set up a room for all of them, and despite being an unfriendly kitten, she turned out to be a great mom!
Life on the Streets
After a tumultuous life on the streets, the whole cat clan was finally able to get some much need TLC. The vet gave them all checkups and fixed up the momma cat, so she had security for herself & her brood. However, with enough love & care, eventually, even Mama became smitten and allowed Meggie to get closer.
Meggie's foster rescue journey - as well as Erin's - was made even more special when she got to share her home with the mother cat and two of its litters. But it was time for these kitties to start their forever families - something no animal lover could bear. The moment had come to move on. Then again, goodbyes are never easy.
Families & Fostering
Meggie's pet population exploded when she decided to take in the second batch of kitties. Amongst them was a bonded pair of brothers known as Trunks and Runty, who left an unforgettable pawprint on their forever home & even made sure that their sister Saria was taken care of too!
Saria was adopted into a forever home! And not only that, but the 4 kittens each found a new family of their own. Even mama cat got used to people and scored herself in her very own place where she could settle down with one paw in front of the other. At Meggie's farm, Trunks & Rusty stepped up to take on some major responsibility.
Meggie's Little Zoo
Runty and Trunks are total heroes - not only do they keep their human mom Meggie happy with lots of chin-scratches, but these kitties also get to show some sweet love towards temporary foster kittens until the little cuties go off to find their furrrever homes. There's nothing better than some warm kitten hugs to make up for lost time.
Meggie became obsessed. She never expected to form such an incredible bond with the stray animals and become an incredible foster mom. She even started to refer to her home as 'Meggie's Little Zoo,' taking in newborn kittens and other rescue animals. Her nurturing heart, just like Erin's, firmly put her on the map.