A cat was freed from a crate by a kind person just in time to change her kittens' lives forever. BestFriendsFelinesEarly last month, a Good Samaritan found an abandoned crate outside and was stunned to discover cats and kittens inside, one of them heavily pregnant.They rushed them to the vet before the storm hit. The pregnant cat, Tam, was friendly and affectionate despite all she had endured. Volunteers from Best Friends Felines took them in, promising them the chance at a better life.Tam quickly made herself at home with her foster family. She filled up on food, then cozied up beside her humans for a nap. TamBestFriendsFelinesShe enjoyed quality food from a constantly refilled bowl, even if it meant her caregiver was woken by gentle paw taps at 3 a.m. to top it up again."From one angle, she looks elegant and sleek with her big, trusting eyes. But let her relax, and you'll spot her round baby belly - looking like she's hiding a basketball of kittens in there," Best Friends Felines shared. BestFriendsFelinesTam kept her foster family in suspense about when her kittens would arrive, " munching her way through endless bowls and snoozing her way into an even rounder shape."A few days of nutritious food and rest had worked wonders, making her coat soft and gleaming. She insisted on staying close to her caregiverBestFriendsFelinesIn the early hours of a Monday morning, Tam went into labor. Despite having two cozy birthing suites prepared, she insisted on staying close to her caregiver, right on the bed."Time after time, she returned to her carer's side, refusing to give birth anywhere else." BestFriendsFelinesAfter hours with no progress, it became clear that Tam needed intervention as the kittens weren't coming out. She was rushed to the vet, where a skilled team of three veterinarians and four vet nurses leaped into action.Tam bravely underwent a c-section, and five of her six kittens made it into the world. BestFriendsFelinesThe next two days were critical for Tam and her kittens. Her foster family worked around the clock to ensure the kittens were eating well and their mom was healing properly."Every two hours, the tiny kittens were weighed, and those who weren't gaining enough were given supplementary bottle feeds." BestFriendsFelinesBy the following day, they noticed one of the kittens, Shortbread, had a slightly unusual palate, making feeding tricky. "His special difference won't affect him in the future - he just has his own way of doing things."Tam seemed to appreciate the support from her humans, lovingly tending to her little ones as she embraced her role as a mother. BestFriendsFelinesThe kittens grew quickly with their mom's milk back to full strength. As they reached milestones, they became more active, eagerly exploring their surroundings and climbing all over their mom.Now that Tam has healed beautifully, her vibrant, spirited personality is shining through. BestFriendsFelines"Typically, mother cats are intensely protective, needing a quiet, separate space with their babies. But not Tam. She's a social butterfly who eagerly darts out of the kitten room to explore the rest of the house.""Tam's kittens have inherited their mom's flair for surprises." BestFriendsFelines"In true Tam family style, they skipped the usual learning curve - going from crawling to wobbly running within 24 hours, a milestone that normally takes a couple of weeks to achieve."The kittens are incredibly vocal, chatting away with their humans whenever they enter the room. "And just when their carer thought she'd seen it all, the kittens decided to skip the usual weaning steps." BestFriendsFelinesThey transitioned from nursing to eating the same meals as their mom as if they'd suddenly decided to grow up overnight. "Tam and her babies are truly a family of delightful surprises."With the help of a kind stranger and the tireless efforts of volunteers, Tam and her kittens are thriving with a future filled with hope and happiness. BestFriendsFelinesShare this story with your friends. More on Tam, her kittens, and Best Friends Felines on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Young Cat Hopped into a Truck to 'Rescue Himself,' Turns Out He Picked the Perfect Place to Do So

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