Orphaned Kitten Adopted by 3 Rescued Kitties When He Needed a Friend the Most

A kitten who became the sole survivor of his litter, found a new family with three feline sisters.

Jin's Bottle Babies

Smokey, a gray kitten, was found in a backyard along with his siblings — one of them had passed and the other was fading. A local TNR (trap-neuter-return) rescuer wasted no time and started bottle feeding the remaining two kittens until they found them a foster home.

Shelbi Uyehara of Jin's Bottle Babies in Arizona took them into her care. Overnight, Smokey put on 18 grams. "He started purring early. Like the first day we got him, he already had a ferocious purr. That's always a good sign to me," Shelbi told Love Meow.

Despite their very best effort, Smokey's brother Bandit lost his fight. The little gray kitty became a singleton, constantly seeking attention and love.

He clutched onto his snuggly teddy bear every day and night after feedings.

Jin's Bottle Babies

While Smokey continued to grow bigger and stronger, it was clear that he really missed having a sibling around. Their resident cat Nitro came to offer a helping paw to keep him clean and groomed.

A few days later, three feline sisters (Ana, Kristina, and Daniela) were brought in after they were rescued from a difficult situation. The kittens were covered in dust and needed help to clear their airways.

Jin's Bottle Babies

After many days of round-the-clock care, the trio bounced back, put on a lot of weight and were meowing and moving around like champs.

Meanwhile, Smokey had blossomed into an adorable bundle of fluff, but they knew he needed a friend to thrive. Shelbi made a decision to introduce him to the sisters and hoped they would accept him.

Jin's Bottle Babies

"I was really worried to put him in with them because they're much younger and smaller than him," Shelbi told Love Meow.

But Smokey was determined to not be a singleton any more. He switched on his purr motor and was very gentle and sweet with his new friends.

The sisters immediately gravitated toward him and rolled up on him for cuddles.

Jin's Bottle Babies

"At first it seems like they thought he was mom. He was so massive. But now he's taken the big brother role. They crawl all over him, and he just lays there on his back," Shelbi told Love Meow.

"I think he's just happy to not be alone... He's happy to have friends."

Watch his rescue journey in this video:

Orphaned kitten finds 3 rescued kitties as family youtu.be

Smokey has become the protective little brother to his three sisters from another mother.

He adores them and never leaves their side.

Jin's Bottle Babies

"Such a sweet relationship has developed in their playpen, and every time I go in there, they're all piled on top of each other."

Jin's Bottle Babies

Despite a rough beginning, little Smokey is thriving with his sisters and following them everywhere they go.

Jin's Bottle Babies

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Related story: Kittens Help Save Their Tiniest Brother from Another Mother with Cuddles