One day, a litter of five newborn kittens was found all alone outside, with their mom nowhere to be found.

Penny Richards, a foster volunteer at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Virginia, didn’t hesitate to take them in and save their innocent lives.

The poor kittens were only two days old and still had their umbilical cords attached. It’s a miracle they even survived.

Penny knew that every second was crucial for their well-being. She immediately set them up in a cozy nest with heated blankets, and she started feeding them around the clock.

However, a new challenge arose when the kittens began suckling on each other. Unfortunately, this behavior can be dangerous and harmful to them.

This behavior is common in orphaned kittens due to the suckling reflex, which is natural in kittens.

However, according to the Maddie’s Fund, this behavior needs to be taken seriously due to potential harm.

Thankfully, Penny found a solution. She outfitted the kittens in tiny protective onesies to prevent this behavior until they outgrew it.

Among the five kittens, one stood out from a young age. Piccadilly, or Dilly, was the smallest kitten and needed extra encouragement to eat. Penny shared:

“I always started the feeds with her because she was the noisiest and then went back and offered her more when everyone else was done.”

Dilly was a special kitten. She was the last to open her eyes and progressed more slowly, requiring more attention. Penny described her:

“She loves people. When she was tiny and developed her sight, she would just sit and watch everyone around her. She was noisy when awake, but when asleep, she was always in such funny position. She could be found snuggling with her lamb (cuddle toy) more often than not, even on top of it.”