Rescue Bunny Bertha Becomes Kitten Foster Mom

Quick Smiles:

• Rescue rabbit Bertha finds purpose as a foster mom to kittens
• Adorable TikTok video shows Bertha snuggling and playing with her foster babies
• Over 6.2 million views and 1.2 million likes for the heartening clip

Bertha, a rescue rabbit who experienced neglect during her first year of life, has found a new purpose in her forever home. She was first brought into the home of Emily Heiderscheidt, the director of Ruby and Laurel Animal Rescue in Clinton, North Carolina, as a foster after being rescued from a hoarding and breeding case. Bertha lived in a bin with holes drilled in the top, but now she and Heiderscheidt are foster moms to other animals in the home.

Heiderscheidt told Newsweek that Bertha has been around nine cats since she adopted her about a year and a half ago. Bertha quickly adapted to her role as a “foster mom” to these animals, becoming their safe space. In a TikTok video shared to Heiderscheidt’s account @fosterwithemily, Bertha is seen playing, snuggling, and even accepting some grooming from her foster babies.

@emilyyheide

Bertha was a neglected rabbit all through her first year of life. Shes particular to the young babies that come into our home to be fostered that need extra love and she loves to be their foster mama. 🥹🩷

♬ what was I made for backing vocals by billie eilis – xanny media

The video’s caption reads: “Bertha was a neglected rabbit all through her first year of life. She’s particular to the young babies that come into our home to be fostered that need extra love and she loves to be their foster mama.” Heiderscheidt added, “She specifically likes the kittens because they’re super cuddly.”

Heiderscheidt always oversees the first introduction between Bertha and the other animals, ensuring they are friendly with each other and get along before letting them be together. One special bond Bertha formed is with a black and white kitten, which Heiderscheidt has since adopted. During their first introduction, Bertha would “hunker down” and ask for cuddles, and the kitten immediately went over as if she already knew what to do.

The heartening clip has received over 6.2 million views, 1.2 million likes, and 5,028 comments as of Monday. TikTok users are in awe of the precious bond between Bertha and the animals. One viewer wrote, “They say when cats sleep head to head with you they look at you as their mom. They think bunny is their mama.” Another added, “She knows exactly how to be around each of them to make them feel safe.”

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