Cat on Euthanasia List After Losing Her Kittens Is Healed by Family's Baby

After tragically losing her kittens and being placed on the euthanasia list, one rescue cat's life was spared when she was adopted, and now she has formed the sweetest bond with her human sister.

When Julia Stuller rescued Callie in August 2021, she wasn't sure how she would manage because she was dubbed "aggressive and territorial" when her kittens died shortly after they were born. The poor cat would search everywhere for them, and she would often bite people if they got too close, but Stuller was determined to help see her it through.

They were making slow progress at first. However, when Stuller discovered that she was pregnant in the months that followed, she told Newsweek that Callie's demeanour changed completely. For the first time, the feline became affectionate and loved to cuddle her owners, and she even showed interest in all the baby items that they brought into their home.

Stuller welcomed her daughter, Emma, in July 2022, and from the moment they brought her home, "Callie could not stay away from her." There was an instant connection between them, and the 4-year-old cat will often sneak into the nursery to spend time with her.

"We don't let them sleep together for safety reasons, but Callie does help put her to sleep every night," Stuller said. "She was no longer aggressive, and she became such a sweet cat. It was like she thought our daughter was a kitten, so she'd lick her, comfort her, and come to her cries like a mother would.

"She helped me raise my daughter, and I think it brought her closure. I don't think she realized her kittens had passed, and she was just confused so it caused her to be aggressive, but she was a grieving mom," Stuller added.

Callie will sneak into Emma's room at every opportunity she gets because she loves to climb into the crib and lay by her side. As for the toddler, there's nothing she loves more than waking up and seeing her four-legged protector nearby.

The unlikely best friends have had quite the impact on one another, as Stuller even said that her daughter has started "crawling and meowing like a cat." They love being together, and although Stuller has eight cats in total, Callie is the only one who seeks to spend quality time with Emma.

"It's funny because we were worried at first that Callie wouldn't like the new baby and would be aggressive, but it turned out to be the opposite," Stuller added.

She has certainly loved witnessing Callie's transformation from grieving mom to loving protector, and she often shares clips of the inseparable duo on Instagram (@mittenstherescuecat). One particular clip showing Callie's bond with Emma has already gained more than 6.4 million views and over 650,500 likes.

The outpouring of love on social media has been heartening for Stuller, as she hopes to "erase the stigma" that cats aren't good to have around young children.

"I think my videos of Callie have touched many hearts, and I hope they encourage more people to adopt the cats who are struggling the most. I believe that all animals deserve a second chance," Stuller told Newsweek.

There was a lot of support for Callie on Instagram, and the viral video has gained more than 3,700 comments already. One person wrote: "Imagine getting called aggressive when you're dealing with the trauma of your babies passing."

Another person posted: "Poor mama cat I'm so very glad she has found a new baby for her heart to heal. I hope they have many years together."

Another comment reads: "She just wanted to mother."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.