Abandoned kitten saved by feline foster mum

A newborn black and white kitten appears the odd one out in a foster family of ginger step-brothers and sisters who took him in after he was left abandoned in a field. Cold, hungry and terrified, the tiny tot was all alone when he was found by a passer-by in Wath, North Yorkshire and taken to The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Thirsk last month.

Staff at the pet charity immediately thought of placing the kitten - nicknamed ‘Domino’ because of his distinctive colouring - with foster mum Tootsie, a four-year-old ginger cat who had given birth to six kittens the day before.  Sadly, one of her litter was stillborn so it seemed like the perfect time to introduce Domino to fill the gap.  He fitted in straight away and quickly regained his strength as Tootsie gave him the milk, warmth and love he needed.

Caroline Thompson, Blue Cross deputy manager at Thirsk said: ”We were so worried about little Domino when he arrived - the poor mite must have been abandoned by his mum and wouldn't have survived much longer on his own. But Tootsie has been a fantastic foster mum  and immediately took him in as one of her own - even though he looks like the odd one out!"

Tootsie will continue caring for her litter at The Blue Cross for another few weeks before staff will start the search for loving new homes. The charity’s adoption centres across the UK have been inundated with unwanted felines in recent months. Since the beginning of July, over 700 homeless cats and kittens have been taken in, of which 165 were abandoned or found as strays, 90 were unwanted litters and 68 kittens were born on site to pregnant mums.  

The Blue Cross is one of the UK’s leading animal charities but it receives no government funding so it relies entirely on public donations to provide for the sick and homeless animals in its care. Visit www.bluecross.org.uk to find out how to support The Blue Cross, or to view the deserving pets who are currently looking for homes.