Jelly’s Place, an animal rescue located in San Pablo, California, recently took in three tiny kittens that were left abandoned on the street by their mother. Since the kittens were so young, they required a loving foster mom to nurture them until they were old enough to be adopted into their forever homes.
After stumbling upon a Facebook post about three adorable kittens in need of a home, Kendal Benken didn’t hesitate to offer them a place in her care. With a background in fostering both dogs and kittens, she quickly gained approval from the rescue organization to become these kittens’ foster mother.
Benken shared with The Dodo that when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he found himself stuck at home with nothing to do. Looking for a way to pass the time, he thought to himself, “Who wouldn’t love spending time with some adorable kittens?” It seemed like the perfect chance to bring some joy into his life.
The tiny kittens had never experienced a mother’s affection, so Benken stepped in to nurture them like her own. Despite her efforts, Benken mentioned that she wasn’t the only lady who adored and looked after the kittens.
Truvy, the 105-pound Lab mix, formed a strong bond with the babies and eagerly stepped in to help with some of the maternal duties.
“It was quite amusing, as soon as I introduced them, she eagerly said, ‘I need to meet them!’” Benken chuckled. “She bonded with them right away. It’s like they’re her own babies.”
The large canine companion aids in their development, ensuring they become sturdy and resilient. She stays by the kittens’ side, attentively monitoring their actions and grooming them regularly.
“When I was trying to feed the kittens, I had to keep my dog out of the room because she was very protective,” Benken explained. “Once I let her back in, she would immediately check on the kittens, clean them, and make sure they were okay. It’s amazing how she has truly taken on the role of caregiver for them.”
“She is very dedicated to looking after the kittens, standing guard and making sure no other dogs come near them. If another dog tries to intrude while she’s cleaning them, she will not hesitate to show them who’s boss. She takes her responsibility very seriously,” Benken added.
Benken decided to bring Truvy into their family when she was just 5 weeks old, adopting her from a shelter in Texas. According to Benken, Truvy has always had a great attitude towards the foster pets they bring in, showing incredible patience with them.
