South Yorkshire Times May 4, 1957

Cat “Mothers” Orphan Rabbits at Thurnscoe

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but the curiosity of a grey and black tabby cat has saved the lives of four baby rabbits.

Last Saturday, Mr Arthur Bluff of Sewage Works House, Thurnscoe discovered that his prize Himalayan doe had suddenly died leaving four 12 days old baby Himalayan’s – each one a potential exhibition entry.

The young rabbits needed keeping warm, so Mr Bluff put them in a box lined with grass, and placed it near the fire in the kitchen of his home.

The “lodgers” had only been in the house a few minutes when they were found by “Tibs” who climbed into the box for a closer look. After inspecting the four tiny balls of fir, she curled up beside them, and began to wash them. Since then, she refused to leave them for any length of time.

Mr Bluff is confident that he will be able to rear them successfully if he can get them to feed themselves. At present he and his wife are feeding the rabbits by hand, dropping dilutive milk into their mouths from an eyedropper. He says that “Tibs” who has never had any kids of her own, is definitely helping to keep the youngsters alive.