Animal shelter pets foster moms to orphans

Photo by Virginia Reeter

Motherly love — Princess a terrier mix is seen with her own litter of black pups along with a small tan orphaned pup she has been fostering at Haven Humane Society. The young orphan is a contrast in size, breed and color alongside her new kennel family.

Every now and then a miracle happens in Haven Humane Society’s shelter kennels. Among those little miracles are shelter pets that come to the rescue of other pets in need thanks to strong mothering instincts.

Princess is a terrier mix that had her litter of pups during her stay at Haven recently.

In another kennel, a new mom had taken ill and was rushed to Haven’s spay and neuter clinic for medical attention, leaving her lone pup orphaned.

“I was beside myself,” said Joy Williamson, Kennel & Facilities Manager, who immediately became concerned about the orphan in her care. “I thought about Princess, a little terrier mix with all those pups nursing and wondered if she would consider allowing the orphaned pup to nurse with her bunch.”

Williamson said she cautiously placed the pup near the mother and was overwhelmed at what transpired.

“She allowed the pup to move closer and eventually begin nursing with the other pups,” Williamson said. “This little orphan was so much smaller and a totally different breed mix than the mother dog’s brood.”

By the end of the first feeding, the little girl pup was receiving a good bath with a full tummy of milk, Williamson said.

“Princess went far beyond her mom duties proving she is a true hero,” she said.

Then there are the cats that seem to take care of each other, too.

“Two momma cats with litters of their own have welcomed orphans to nurse with their own offspring,” said Williamson, adding that it’s amazing the bond animals share when it comes to survival.

Looking at the kittens nursing contently, a person wouldn’t notice that one or more babies aren’t part of these mother cats’ natural litters.

In an animal shelter environment, it is heartwarming to see mothering instincts kick in when an orphan’s future becomes dim, Williamson said.

“These are the kind of win-win stories we love to share that makes our job so rewarding and worthwhile,” she added.