Cat Takes Shelter In A Bird's Nest To Give Birth To Four Kittens

Cuddled up to their mother for warmth, four newborn kittens acclimatise to the exciting new world around them - after being born in a bird's nest up a tree.

The adorable infants were discovered by a pet shop owner who decided to investigate after hearing 'squawking' noises coming from his back garden.

Henry McGauley, of Louth, Ireland, followed the sound of the noise, climbing a ladder to find the four kittens, their eyes still closed, alone in a pigeon's nest.

His wife Fiona told abc news: 'We left them there because there's not much you can do because they have to be at least six weeks old before they can be taken from their mother.

Fiona said the couple returned a few hours later to find the mother nursing the kittens.

She added: 'It turned out we knew the cat. We always used to see her by the alleyway. She was pregnant, and she disappeared a few times.

'In a couple of weeks, the mum will probably bring the kittens to the back door for feeding. When they're older, we'll take them in, get them tamed and find permanent homes for them.'

For now, the kittens remain under the care of their mother outside the McGauleys' home.

The couple said the white and ginger cat recently moved the kittens following heavy showers - and they believe the litter may now be under their shed.

Fiona added. 'A lot of our customers are in love with the kittens and excited for when they're old enough to adopt.'