Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (May 9, 2025) – Mother’s Day is a special day in May to celebrate the extraordinary mom in your life. This Mother’s Day, Helen Woodward Animal Center is celebrating an extra-special mama: Halo. This sweet 10-month old cat was found nursing a set of young, abandoned kittens alongside her own even younger biological set of kittens. Mama Halo is shining example of motherhood and reminds us about the lengths mothers go to, and the sacrifices they make, for their little ones.
Halo is an early candidate for the “Mother of the Year” award. This black and white domestic short hair and her 10 kittens came to Helen Woodward Animal Center through a partner in the Los Angeles area. When she was first found, something seemed very odd to the rescue group. This mama was found with 10 kittens, but four of them appeared remarkably bigger than the other six. After scooping up the cold and scared bundle and taking them somewhere safe and warm, the rescuers realized this amazing mother was safeguarding two different sets of kittens.
Veterinarians determined the larger group presumably came from a different mother based on the age difference between the two groups, but also the distinct difference in their coloring and breeds. The larger group of kittens is estimated to be roughly two weeks older than the smaller ones. Since the big, mixed family was found on the streets it’ll never be known exactly what happened. Medical professionals theorize Mama Halo found the first group of kittens alone, struggling without their mother, and did her best to make sure they all survived. It was then a short time later she gave birth to her own litter, and proceeded to nurse them alongside the others.
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- Hobbs
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- Holiday
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- Honey
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- Hotdog
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- Houston
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- Happy
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- Harley
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- Harmony
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- Harp
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- Halo
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- Hobbit
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- Halo and all of her kittens
“Animals can melt your heart with the compassion and consideration they show when another animal is in need,” says Adoptions Services Director Kendall Schulz. “At some point Mama Halo discovered these abandoned kittens. Whether before or after she had already gave birth we’ll never know. But she found them presumably alone and probably on the brink of not surviving, and her mama instincts kicked in. She started nursing them to make sure they would survive. An incomparable level of compassion and empathy.”
In honor of their devoted mother, all of the kittens were given names beginning with the letter ‘H’ to show they are one big, happy family. The older group of kittens was named Harley, Harp, Harmony and Happy. While the second, younger group, was named Holiday, Honey, Hobbit, Hobbes, Houston and Hot Dog.
If you are interested in adopting one of the older kittens come by Helen Woodward Animal Center this Mother’s Day weekend to meet them and adopt. The younger kittens are too small to be adopted just yet. Mama Halo is still being the best mom in the world, sticking by her young litter as they continue to grow. Mama Halo and the young kittens will be available soon.
If you would like more information about when Mama Halo and the younger kittens become available, or if you would like to donate to help support Mama Halo and other animals in need like her, call 858-756-4117, or visit https://animalcenter.org/BabyShower.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
