A woman took a chance on a shelter cat and her five orange kittens. Overnight, their lives changed forever. Marmee the mother cat and her five orange kittensAndreaChristianLast month, Andrea Christian, a foster volunteer with A Kitten Place, came across an urgent plea from a shelter.A beautiful orange cat and her five little "mini-mes" were in desperate need of rescue. "Shelters, rescues, and fosters are working overtime, but it will never be enough, and animals are lost daily," Andrea shared with Love Meow.Time was running out. "I had to save these six cuties." She quickly settled into her foster home with her five hungry babiesAndreaChristianAfter a long drive from the shelter, a transport volunteer delivered the feline family to Andrea's home. As Andrea examined them, she noticed two kittens whose hind legs splayed to the sides."They have swimmer syndrome," she explained, a condition where the muscles that support the legs are weak. Two of the kittens have swimmer syndromeAndreaChristianAndrea immediately began treating their legs, guided by fellow rescuers experienced with swimmer syndrome. Meanwhile, the mother cat, Marmee, quickly made herself at home.Though clearly underweight, she had somehow kept her kittens well-fed and plump. "She is a large cat with very little muscle or fat on her body." Marmee was just skin and bones when she arrivedAndreaChristianMarmee was grateful to be out of the shelter kennel, nestled on a pile of blankets with her kittens. She padded over to Andrea for head scratches, then flopped right into her lap, soaking up every bit of affection."She is such a good momma and an absolute lap cat." But she was overjoyed to be snuggling on a lapAndreaChristianNo matter how demanding or rowdy her kittens get, Marmee never loses patience, always tending to their needs. To ensure the mom is cared for as well, Andrea spoils her with all the food she could ever want."Her greatest ask is for love and attention from me." Marmee is very loving and patient with her demanding kittensAndreaChristianMarmee's gentle, affectionate nature shines through not only with her kittens but with everyone she meets. She has a heart of gold and deserves a family who will cherish and adore her."She must have had humans who once loved her. Why she ended up at the shelter with her five babies, we will never know. But we will make sure her next family is forever." AndreaChristianAmong the five ginger kittens, four are girls and one is a little boy named Teddy. Though tiny, he has a mighty spirit. About one in five ginger cats are female, which makes this litter's four girls truly amazing.Beth, who has swimmer syndrome, needs the most care. Jo, the bravest and most outgoing of the bunch, is always on the move. Meg is a sweetheart with a charming personality, while Amy, an attention-seeker, makes sure her needs are always met. Four of the kittens are girls, and one is a boyAndreaChristianAndrea took a chance on this adorable family of six, and now, they are flourishing in their foster home, surrounded by cozy blankets, boundless food, and loving humans.Their future, once uncertain, is now filled with hope and the promise of brighter days ahead. "Rescue makes life better for all of us." Happy and lovedAndreaChristianShare this story with your friends. More on the ginger family of six and Andrea's fosters on Instagram@turtlecatfoster and A Kitten Place @akittenplace.Related story: They Show Up at the Door with Kitten, Desperate to Save Him, Overnight the Young Cat Springs Back to Life