Not long ago, a community cat sought refuge in the garage of her caretaker to safely give birth to her litter in a comfortable environment.
The caretaker, who had been nourishing her, was delighted yet overwhelmed, as he could not support the newborn kittens financially. He reached out to Emilie Rackovan, a dedicated animal rescuer from Milwaukee, for assistance.
Emilie responded swiftly, eager to offer the feline family a nurturing home. She used a humane trap to secure the mother cat and relocated her along with her kittens to her residence to foster.
Among the kittens was an endearing but noticeably smaller kitten named Kangaroo. The mother cat, prioritizing the healthier kittens, sadly ignored little Kangaroo, excluding him from the litter.
Emilie implemented a plan to bottle-feed Kangaroo, aiming to nourish him until he could rejoin his siblings. Meanwhile, Kangaroo longed for the affection and care he had lost, just as another foster kitten in Emilie’s care did.
Simultaneously, a dog was in labor en route to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC). She gave birth to two puppies on the way and continued with six more at the shelter under the attentive care of the staff. Due to the less-than-ideal shelter conditions for newborns, Emilie willingly accepted them into her foster care.
She quickly realized that among these puppies, a tiny one named Possum was also struggling. Like Kangaroo, Possum was neglected by her mother and lagged behind her siblings in size. Emilie chose to bottle-feed Possum, hoping to foster her growth so she could eventually reintegrate with her litter.
Both Kangaroo and Possum desperately needed affection, warmth, and companionship. Observing this, Emilie decided to pair them up, providing round-the-clock bottle-feeding. Remarkably, they adored their new arrangement. Upon meeting, they ceased their cries, embraced, and established a friendship that seemed destined to last.
Reflecting on their bond, Emilie remarked, “It’s quite common for baby animals to seek comfort in others, irrespective of species, but witnessing their friendship is truly heartwarming. They love to snuggle and sleep closely together.”
Currently, Kangaroo and Possum do everything together. They share an incubator—necessary as they’re too young to maintain their body temperatures independently—sleep, play, eat, and discover their surroundings together. They find solace in each other’s company, bringing them peace and a sense of belonging.
Thanks to Emilie’s unwavering care, both are flourishing and growing stronger each day. Emilie hopes that once they are robust enough, their biological families will accept them back. However, regardless of this outcome, it’s clear that Kangaroo and Possum have found a family in each other—a bond that is irreplaceable.
For those interested in following their journey and seeing what the future holds for these delightful animals, consider following Emilie on Instagram and Facebook. Also, feel free to share your thoughts and predictions for Kangaroo and Possum in the comments below—I’m eager to read your insights!
