Xeno and Ripley share everything: they sleep, eat, play, and are currently rearing their eight kittens together.
“They’re inseparable sisters,” Sarah MacLeod, a volunteer at the Exploits Valley SPCA, told The Dodo.
The young moms arrived at Exploits Valley SPCA in late September. Both cats were under a year old and only weighed about 4 pounds when they were rescued and transported to the shelter by volunteers with a local rescue.
The co-parenting mamas moved into a spacious room with plenty of toys and cozy bedding to keep them comfortable, and now the little family is thriving.
The mothers understand that parenting a large family is a two-cat job.
“Their offspring required a few more weeks to grow, so we put them in their own room and were continually fascinated by them,” MacLeod explained. “They entirely share the kittens; at any given time, all eight may be feeding from either mom.”
The two litters are so intertwined that it’s impossible to identify which kitten belongs to either mother, which is exactly how Xeno and Ripley like it.
When the mom cats aren’t caring for their rowdy babies, they may be found standing side by side at their room’s window, waiting to see a possible adoptive go by.
“They like seeing down the hallway via the glass door,” MacLeod added. “They enjoy attention and people!”
A couple of the kittens have families who are eager to adopt them, but neither mother has received a single application.
The shelter wants to locate a loving family for Xeno and Ripley who will welcome them into their hearts and homes.
Everyone in the shelter can see that these cats are connected for life and eager to offer their future home all of their love and snuggles.
