Jack Russell becomes surrogate mum for six kittens – and even produces milk

11 November 2023 , 11:55

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Jack Russel Teasel even produces milk to feed her new family (Image: Sue Stubley / SWNS)

Six abandoned kittens have found the unlikeliest of mums – a devoted Jack Russell that even produces milk to feed the tiny animals.

The dog's owner Sue Stubley took in the kittens from a neighbour after they had been abandoned by their own mother and that's when Teasel, aged two, stepped in to look after them. The caring hound has been with the cats now for two-and-a half weeks and has quickly taken on her motherhood role.

Teasel has been cleaning, caring for and even feeding the kittens. Sue, who runs Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital, said: “Initially Teasel was trying to get near to the kittens, and I was scared she was going to go for them."

Teasel obviously loves her new role as a mother (Sue Stubley / SWNS)

The Jack Russel has an excellent relationship with the young cats (Sue Stubley / SWNS)

According to the Manchester Evening News, she added: “I was letting her sniff them and then she licked one of them, then I realised she actually just wanted to cuddle them rather than maim them. Now she’s looking after them completely, it’s amazing.”

Sue's neighbour found the kittens abandoned in the rain just outside Newmarket, Suffolk. After receiving a panicked call, Sue stepped in and agreed to home the the young animals.

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However, she could never have imagined Teasel would be able to step into full mum mode, and even began to lactate as if it was a litter of her own puppies and not cats. The kind pet dog lets the kittens suckle from her, despite her having never had puppies.

And that has freed up Sue over the past two weeks to take care of the amazing amount of hedgehogs the kind animal lover has taken in at her hospital – with 154 of the spiny creatures to be looked after. The kittens are now due to be neutered, de-wormed and micro-chipped before getting a new start in loving homes.

Sue added: “We are sending them to cat lovers, which is nice to know that they are going to good homes. I am hopeless at saying no to any animals that need a home.”

This summer Sue has looked after a whole menagerie of animals at her animal hospital, including fox cubs, badgers, owls and hares. Sue said: “You name it we have had it this summer – but the hedgehogs are the cutest so far.”

Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital became a registered charity three years ago but is in desperate need of donations so Sue can continue her work saving the much-loved animals. She said: “If anyone would like to donate anything to them – cat food, milk or anything else, please text or WhatsApp me on 07702 211302.”

George Mathias