In the expansive landscape of Russia’s Rostov region, an extraordinary tale of feline heroism unfolded when Murka, an unassuming house cat, assumed the role of surrogate mother to five orphaned hoglets. Their tragic plight began with a harrowing accident that claimed the life of their mother as workers diligently mowed the overgrown grass near their residence. Ekaterina Semenova, Murka’s caring owner, recounted the heart-wrenching incident to a correspondent from KP, Rostov-on-Don.
“The grass had reached towering heights, and the workers were using a specialized hay mower, a trimmer. Sadly, the machinery unknowingly passed over a hidden hedgehog nest. It was only after the grass had been cut that we discovered the nest sheltered a mother hedgehog and her precious brood of hoglets,” Semenova shared.
With the mother hedgehog and one of her tender offspring lost in the accident, only five surviving hoglets remained, vulnerable and without a guardian. “My heart broke for these helpless babies, prompting me to bring them into our home,” Ekaterina continued, her compassion evident.
Initially attempting to feed the fragile hoglets with a pipette and milk yielded no success. Distressed, she sought guidance from a veterinarian acquaintance, who suggested the daring idea of finding a nursing cat. However, the professional warned that only about 30 percent of nursing cats would agree to adopt and care for offspring not their own.
Fate, however, had other plans. Murka, who had recently given birth to a single kitten, became the unexpected savior. Ekaterina introduced the hedgehogs to Murka, who astonishingly welcomed them with open paws and a nurturing heart.
“The transition was seamless; the cat immediately embraced these hedgehogs as if they were her own flesh and blood,” Ekaterina explained. Since then, Murka has been diligently nursing and caring for the five hedgehogs, becoming their de facto mother for the past three weeks.
Remarkably, these once fragile and defenseless hoglets have since sprouted spines and opened their eyes. The kitten and hedgehogs have formed an inseparable bond, considering one another as part of a harmonious and loving family.