The protracted winter in Greenland may be challenging for wandering animals. Finding a secure haven is crucial for cats and dogs that are on their own since the extreme weather and snowstorms can linger long into the spring.
A juvenile tabby cat was rescued from the streets of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, in the middle of April and taken to the local animal shelter, Dyrenes Venner (which approximately translates to โProtector of Animals in Greenlandโ).
Inunnguaq Christiansen, a board member of Dyrenes Venner, told The Dodo that โstray and lost cats have a pretty rough life during the winters up here.โ They frequently have to take shelter in the basements of ancient buildings due to the frigid weather and frequent storms.
Volunteers named the friendly cat Ulla, and it was clear from the start just how grateful she was to be safe and warm. Ulla immediately made herself at home, cozying up to her rescuers, as well as the other cats, dogs and guinea pigs in the shelter.
โSheโs very lovely and caring,โ Christiansen said. โI brought my own dog, Yaris, to the shelter one time and Ulla immediately jumped on the cage.โ
Ullaโs maternal inclination may have given her rescuers a sign that the new arrival was out of the ordinary at little over a year old. However, nobody suspected that the little cat may be keeping something hidden.
Stranger still, Ulla seemed to be gaining weight at an alarming pace in one particular area as the weeks went by. Ulla had previously been rather slim.
One of the volunteers mentioned how huge Ulla was becoming, according to Christiansen. When examined more closely, it was only in the tummy region, and her nipples were becoming rather rigid.
Ulla was brought to the sole animal hospital in Greenland where she had an ultrasound.
Sure enough, the screen revealed that the young cat was about to be a mom โ and soon.
Ulla quickly gained popularity on Reddit after Frank informed her colleagues board members and posted the story and images.
Ullaโs funny response to her pregnancy not only made her famous online, but it also assisted her in finding a genuine home.
Christiansen said, โShe has been staying with a foster family on a trial basis since Thursday, and they genuinely want to retain her and all of her kittens. โHopefully things will turn out well for them.โ
In just a few days, Ulla will be able to give birth in the comfort of a home instead of the cramped, noisy shelter. And though the kittens may have been a surprise at first, Ulla and her new family are prepared to give them a great start to life.