Caring dog has temporarily ‘adopted’ shy kittens who were found abandoned in a backyard
Fur-ever friends! Caring dog has taken on a motherly role and temporarily ‘adopted’ two VERY shy kittens who were found abandoned in a backyard
- Kona’s owner Asa, from New York City, has fostered more than 164 animals
- She took in Chester and Blair when they were 10-12 weeks old last December
- They were more timid and afraid of people due to their low socialisation
- Kittens gravitated towards Kona on first day and felt safe after baths and cuddles
- Kona became like mother for other animals which Asa said ‘happened naturally’
A dog called Kona has taken two shy kittens under her wing as she’s adopted a motherly role.
Kona’s owner Asa, from New York City, has found more than 164 animals their forever home after fostering them.
She took in Chester and Blair when they were around 10-12 weeks old and found in a backyard in New York last December, Bored Panda reported.
Asa said that Kona becoming like a mother for other animals ‘happened naturally’ and ‘blossomed more’ the longer she fostered.
A dog called Kona has adopted two timid kitchens after her owner Asa took in Chester (left) and Blair (centre) when they were found in a backyard when they were around 10-12 weeks old
She told the publication: ‘With the first foster kitten she met, she was very excited, but she bonded with her more like a friend rather than as a foster mom.
‘Then, as I fostered more babies (both puppies and kittens), she started to develop more of a babysitter role, and eventually a mama!’
When she took in Chester and Blair, Asa said they were more timid and afraid of people than the other animals she fostered, and that the animal rescuers who caught and got the kittens to safety had trouble doing so.
Asa went on to say that the kittens gravitated towards Kona on their first day – and added that she thinks the dog sensed they were more reserved than others.
Blair, the tortoiseshell cat, arrived first, shortly followed by Chester, the ginger cat, and both gravitated towards Kona
Asa has fostered more than 164 animals and Kona has become more like a mother over the years (Kona is pictured with former foster kitten Hester)
She said that after six weeks, they still run away from her but have bonded with Kona, with Blair even trying to nurse on Kona during the first weeks.
Asa wasn’t sure whether it was Blair’s way of finding comfort and added that Kona patiently laid and let Blair nibble on her.
The kittens were reassured they were safe after a few baths and cuddles and have started to interact with Asa too, eating food out of her hand, purring when petted, falling asleep near her and playing in front of her.
Asa said: ‘I’m not sure if it was Blair’s way of finding comfort in this new environment, but Kona just patiently laid and let her nibble on her.’
Asa said: She bonded with the first fostered kitten more as a friend but with more puppies and kittens she ‘started to develop more of a babysitter role, and eventually a mama’ (Pictured with former foster kitten Milli)
When she took in Chester and Blair, they were more timid and afraid of people than the other animals she fostered, and the animal rescuers who caught and got the kittens to safety had trouble doing so
Asa said that after six weeks, they still run away from her but have bonded with Kona, with Blair even trying to nurse on Kona during the first weeks
The kittens were reassured they were safe after a few baths and cuddles and have started to interact with Asa too, eating food out of her hand, purring when petted, falling asleep near her and playing in front of her
Chester and Blair were kept apart to decompress before being introduced to each other, but before then they spent time with Kona separately
Kona didn’t have any kittens to look after for three days before Asa introduced her to Blair. Asa said on Instagram: ‘After three days of seeing sad little Kona moping around, we finally got to turn her frown upside down’
Blair, a timid tortoiseshell kitten, was first to arrive with Chester, the ginger kitten, and was introduced to his temporary family the next day.
Chester and Blair were kept apart to decompress before being introduced to each other, but before then they spent time with Kona separately.
Kona knew what to do straight away after caring for many other animals that Asa had fostered over the years.
She went on to say that her favourite part of fostering was watching the animals ‘blossom’, from watching them grow up to seeing an undersocialised kitten or timid dog open up and learn to trust people.
Kona joined Chester in the carry case when he arrived, before giving him a bath on the rug and cuddling up
Asa said on Instagram: ‘I guess Kona’s been extra good this year because now she’s got two kittens to take care of’
Asa wasn’t sure whether trying to nurse on Kona was Blair’s way of finding comfort and added that Kona patiently laid and let Blair nibble on her
Kona is pictured ‘guarding the nest’ with the five-week-old kittens Asa calls the ‘Schitt’s Creek kitties’, named Moira, Johnny, Alexis and David
Kona lounges on her side on the bed as eight-week-old foster kitten Ringo relaxes on top of her
