A Mama kitty caring for her own litter of kittens at the Cleveland Animal Protective League in Ohio is pitching in to help shelter staff care for a week-old pit bull pup who needs all the support he can get in order to thrive.

Noland the pup came to the APL last week when he was just a day old, and is said to have been rejected by his mother. Mama kitty Lurlene has accepted Nolan alongside her babies, who are called Rivette, Espa, Zixi and Tallydab, and she mothers the puppy for about 9 hours a day.

Shelter staff bottle feed Noland and take him home with them at night.

APL President Sharon Harvey said, “Pups that old without their mom … their survival rate is pretty iffy,” in explanation of why they decided to see if Lurlene would accept Nolan into her litter. Lurlene and the kittens welcomed him with no problems.

“Lurlene loves him,” said Harvey. “It’s so adorable.”

Noland will remain with the APL for as long as it takes to make sure he is strong, healthy and ready to be adopted.

“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.”

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