A skinny cat arrived, doing everything she could to care for her kittens. Now, she's got the best outcome ever. Foster Kitten MamaWhen a shelter cat and her litter of newborns urgently needed a foster home, Heidi Shoemaker, founder of Foster Kitten Mama, immediately stepped up to help.What she didn't know was just how frail the mother cat, Athena, was. Though severely underweight and dehydrated, Athena never stopped feeding and protecting her babies and stayed by their side through everything.Heidi provided fluids, nourishing meals, and plenty of love. Within a few days, Athena began to perk up. AthenaFoster Kitten MamaWith medication and supportive care, Athena's stomach troubles started to ease. Heidi supplemented the kittens, changed their bedding regularly, and ensured Athena could rest comfortably and regain her strength.Her appetite soon returned, and she eagerly devoured every meal as if making up for lost time. Foster Kitten MamaThanks to Heidi's dedication, Athena regained her spark and slowly began to fill out. The kittens were also treated for tummy issues and kept hydrated through tube feeding.Despite her best efforts, one kitten didn't make it. But the remaining four pulled through and started to thrive. Foster Kitten MamaAs Athena grew stronger, she finally allowed herself to take small breaks between nursing sessions. Realizing she was safe, she watched Heidi with curious, trusting eyes whenever Heidi spoke to her in a soft, loving voice."Athena is one of the tiniest mamas I've ever had," Heidi shared. Foster Kitten MamaSoon, the kittens' eyes opened, their ears perked up, and their wobbly little legs carried them on mini excursions around the nest. They tumbled over each other like little drunken sailors learning to walk.Maddie, the only girl, offered her brother Howie a shoulder to lean on during their clumsy adventures. Howie and MaddieFoster Kitten MamaThen kittens grew by leaps and bounds, with Maddie leading the charge into mischief. Her brothers—Buck, Bobby, and Howie—were never far behind.Bobby, the ginger boy, had an impressive set of pipes. When Heidi entered the room, he marched up to her and loudly declared that he was ready for more space, toys, and attention. Maddie, Buck, Bobby, and HowieFoster Kitten MamaHeidi upgraded their space into a kitty wonderland filled with toys, food, and climbing posts. The little family explored every inch, enchanted by all the new sights and smells, their purrs filling the room.Watching her kittens play awakened Athena's playful side. For the first time since arriving, she batted at toys and let herself be a cat again. Foster Kitten MamaFor weeks, Athena had devoted herself to raising her babies (her last litter). But as they grew more independent, she began spending more time doing what she loved. "She is night and day better from when she first arrived. She's put on weight, her coat looks healthy, and her eyes are bright."When the kittens were old enough to be spayed and neutered, Heidi planned to give Athena all the time she needed to find the perfect home. As it turned out, that home was just around the corner. Buck, Bobby, and HowieFoster Kitten MamaA wonderful family fell head over heels for Athena. Not wanting her to feel lonely, they adopted her and two of her kittens, Maddie and Bobby. The remaining two, Buck and Howie, soon captured the hearts of a mother and daughter, who welcomed them into their loving home.After a rough beginning, Athena and her kittens have made an incredible comeback. Today, they're living their best lives—a dream come true. Foster Kitten MamaShare this story with your friends. More cats and kittens at Foster Kitten Mama on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Cat Left Out on the Streets Found His Way into Shelter, Determined to Be Someone's One and Only