Once a stray cat roaming the streets, this feline found his true home where he happily allows a litter of kittens to snuggle up on him.
A foster home became the new abode for an orange and white feline, seeking a better existence from the harsh realities of the streets where he struggled for two years. Being in a state of constant wariness, he immediately found solace in hiding, gradually acclimatizing to his new environment. However, things took a positive turn when he encountered his foster mother, who coaxed him out of his shell.
Thanks to the assistance of St. Francis Society Animal Rescue, Mickey, the feline, will no longer have to endure life outside. The foster mother, Kristen Sterner, granted Mickey the opportunity to relax and provided reassurance that he was cared for.
Kristen expressed her fondness for Mickey after only a single day of caring for him. She felt connected to him and understood his thoughts through his lovely green eyes.
Gradually, Mickey let go of his anxiety and became more at ease. He discovered a cozy spot to snuggle up in and happily kneaded away. Once he felt sociable, Kristen introduced him to a couple of foster kittens. Before long, he embraced them like family, grooming them and showering them with affectionate cuddles.
The little felines were immediately attracted to him, shadowing his every move like he was their mother. He didn’t mind at all and allowed them to climb on him, nibble on his ears, tinker with his tail, and engage in playful paw fights. Being encircled by the kittens brought him immense joy, and they were equally happy to have a role model to emulate.
When the time came to find a permanent home for Mickey, he was fortunate enough to be adopted by a lovely family. However, despite their efforts to make him feel at ease, the feline remained hidden under the bed for several weeks, as though something was amiss. Kristen, who had facilitated the adoption, reassured the family that she was happy to take Mickey back if things did not work out. She firmly believed that their role was to assist pets in finding their ideal homes.
Upon Mickey’s arrival back at his foster home, Kristen presented him with a cozy “kitty cave” to provide him a safe haven whenever he felt the need. She spoke to him calmly and stroked him gently until he became comfortable. As time passed, Mickey gradually opened up. A handful of other kittens arrived at the foster home while Mickey was there, and when they let out little squeaks, Mickey immediately perked up his ears. As soon as they passed their medical exams, they joined forces with Mickey.
I had a hunch that Mickey would get along with the kittens because of his kind and gentle nature, but I was blown away by how incredible he was with them! It was heartwarming to see him take care of each kitten he stumbled upon, giving them lots of affection and cuddles. He quickly became their protector, keeping a watchful eye on them as they frolicked around, ensuring they didn’t get into any mischief.
The little felines immediately took a liking to him and would snuggle up to him while he cleaned their cute faces or embraced them. Mickey has a natural ability to understand what the kittens require and would remain with them throughout the day if they crave for some additional love and care. He even tried to console Kristen when one of the kittens passed away by sitting beside her.
“We just had to adopt him! He picked us and our house as his sanctuary, and we couldn’t bear to let him go. He’s happy and secure in our home, and we even take care of kittens together,” Kristen happily exclaimed.
“It’s wonderful to see all the little furballs snuggling up to him for a group hug. It’s truly a remarkable sight.”
Mickey is enjoying a wonderful life with his dream family. He’s returning the love he received when he was rescued to the kittens that he’s nurturing. The family couldn’t be happier with Mickey’s transformation from a street cat to the best foster kitten caretaker they’ve ever had. They can’t imagine their lives without him now.
Don’t forget to spread the word about Mickey and Kristen’s foster cats by sharing their story with your pals! You can even follow their journey on Instagram by checking out the profiles for @widdlekittenclub and @stfrancisrescuetampa.