A woman was left stunned when her riding lawn mower began to “meow.” Following the sound, she made a surprising discovery—a group of tiny kittens in desperate need of help. Hidden beneath the mower, the litter had likely been stranded for several days without their mother. Carefully, she pulled each kitten out from the dangerous spot between the blades, ultimately rescuing eight fragile lives. Unsure of how to care for them on her own, she reached out to her local rescue, ARPO, who immediately stepped in to provide support and emergency foster care for the vulnerable kittens.
Lori White
The rescue team noted that the kittens were malnourished and urgently required round-the-clock bottle feeding. Thankfully, they were placed with a dedicated bottle feeder who reported that the kittens latched onto the bottles instantly, letting out soft but hungry meows. Raising eight newborns was no easy task, so an additional foster carer joined in to ensure each baby received proper nourishment and care. This teamwork provided the fragile litter with the best possible chance at survival and healthy growth.
ARPO
Lori White, one of ARPO’s experienced fosters, welcomed five of the kittens into her home, while another volunteer cared for the remaining three. The kittens quickly settled in, with Lori’s resident dog lovingly keeping watch from outside their pen. To keep up with their needs, Lori adjusted to a new routine—waking as early as 3:30 a.m. for bottle feedings. “They are good eaters, which makes things easier,” she said, grateful for their healthy appetites despite their rocky start in life.
ARPO
Among the kittens, Greta, a gray tabby, always raced to be first in line at feeding time. Her calico sister, Daffodil, proved to be the biggest—and the most confident—of the bunch, quickly establishing herself as the group’s “diva.” She adored playing with a plush toy that resembled a mother cat and often nibbled on its ear. Each kitten began to develop a unique personality as they grew, bringing endless joy to their foster families.
Lori White
As the weeks passed, the kittens transitioned from bottles to dishes, though Daffodil still preferred being bottle-fed on her foster mom’s lap. The once-fragile kittens were now strong enough to dash around their spacious pen, playfully scaling panels and climbing up Lori’s arms in hopes of being fed sooner. Greta showed maturity by weaning earlier than the others, while Sprout clung tightly to his bottle until he was nearly two pounds. Mikey and Sam, two sleek black kittens, balanced the group with their playful yet calm personalities.
Daffodil Lori White
Despite their shaky beginnings, all eight kittens are now thriving. With love, patience, and tireless dedication from their foster families, they’ve grown into lively, affectionate little cats. Soon, they’ll be dashing through their foster homes with boundless energy, filling every corner with meows, purrs, and playful antics. Their story is a heartwarming reminder of the difference compassionate rescuers and foster volunteers can make for animals in need.
Sam, Sprout, and Daffodil Lori White
Share this story with friends and follow more updates on these kittens and other fosters at Instagram @dreaming_of_foster_kittens and Instagram @arporescue.
