Cat nurses orphaned pit bull puppy

A cat caring for four newborn kittens is nursing an orphaned week-old pit bull puppy in Cleveland, Ohio. Last week, the puppy was dropped off at the animal shelter without its mother. He was just one-day old.

“Pups that old without their mom … their survival rate is pretty iffy,” said Sharon Harvey, president and chief executive officer of the Cleveland Animal Protective League. The APL’s veterinarian and animal team were faced with a challenge and decided to see if a new mother cat at the agency would accept the puppy into her family.

Lurlene and her litter of four welcomed Noland with no hesitation. “Lurlene loves him,” said Harvey. “It’s so adorable.” Noland is spending about nine hours a day with Lurlene and his new siblings – eating and sleeping the day away.

Since Noland is a bit bigger, the staff at the APL is supplementing Lurlene’s milk with a bottles. He goes home at night with team member who can bottle feed him and monitor him overnight. “We need to be diligent with his care,” explained Harvey, who is optimistic about his future. Noland is going to be with us for quite awhile,” said Harvey. “We need to be really sure with him. We’ve got to focus on giving him the care he needs right now.”