The kitten has just been born and is lying in a bed of straw, while her mother looks on protectively. The dog walks over to investigate the new arrival and begins to lick the kitten clean. It’s clear that these two animals already have a strong connection!
One study published in the journal Mammalian Biology found that, out of 108 cases of interspecies adoptions observed over a 16-year period at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Greece, 63 percent (68) were successful. Of those 68 successful adoptees, 54 were felines nursing other species — mostly puppies and deer fawns but also one kitten fostering two hedgehogs and another with an orphaned baby squirrel.
It’s not just cats who are up for adoption either! Dogs have been known to care for kittens as well. In fact, there is even a term for it – “nanny dog.” There are many stories online of dogs caring for and nurturing kittens until they can be placed into permanent homes. One such story is below:
