A stray cat has given birth to a whopping NINE kittens – creating one of the biggest litters seen by rescuers in years.
Three-year-old Lottie was discovered with her newborns in Wold Newton, East Yorkshire, at the end of last month.
The young mum and her babies may have been abandoned before being found by a member of the public.
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Lottie had no collar and was not microchipped, leaving rescuers unable to trace an owner, as reported by Whats The Jam.
She and her bumper brood – four girls and five boys – were taken to a cattery in Bridlington, Driffield and District Branch.
Staff said it was one of the largest litters they had encountered in years.
An average cat gives birth to between four and six kittens, while younger or first-time mums typically produce between two and four.
But devoted Lottie has taken her unusually large family in her stride.
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Her five-week-old kittens are now racing around the cattery as their individual personalities begin to emerge.
Footage shows the tiny black-and-white youngsters exploring their surroundings.
However, feeding nine hungry mouths is no small task.
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Staff at the RSPCA branch are helping Lottie by syringe-feeding the kittens twice a day while they continue to nurse from their mum.
Sophie Gibbon-Roles, the branch’s cattery manager, said: “Lottie is one incredibly brave and devoted mum.
“Bringing nine kittens into the world is no small feat, and pregnancy, birth and feeding such a big litter can take so much out of a mother cat.
“Yet she’s doing an absolutely amazing job, and her babies are thriving in her care.
“The kittens are now five weeks old and up and running around, although there are plenty of wobbles along the way.
“With such a large litter, we’re giving Lottie a helping hand and syringe-feeding the kittens twice a day, alongside them still nursing from mum.
“It’s incredible watching them grow and seeing their different personalities start to come through.
“We’re very grateful to the member of the public who found them and ensured they got the help they needed.
“For now, Lottie’s whole world is these nine little faces, and we’re helping her to keep them warm, clean, fed and safe.”
The self-funding branch is appealing for donations of kitten milk and mousse to help feed the family.
Lottie’s arrival comes during an exceptionally busy year for the rescue.
Sophie said spaces are being filled almost as soon as they become available, with growing numbers of young female cats arriving pregnant.
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