What’s Next, World Peace?

Since their mother left them, three newborn kittens have found a new place to dwell - with Fellene, the Chihuahua.

The kittens were discovered near the women’s center at Alta View Hospital shortly after their mother, believed to be a stray cat, delivered them Sunday night.

The kittens were not very healthy when found by Chris Mead, a hospital maintenance worker. A fourth kitten was already dead.

Hospital employees put cat food by the women’s center in an attempt to bring back the mother.

“She never came back,” said Tammy Dalton, an employee in the medical records department.

After feeding the kittens for a day with an eyedropper, Dalton decided she would try to get her dog, who delivered a puppy six weeks ago, to nurse them.

It worked. Dalton said the kittens went immediately to Fellene, and the dog “thought they were her own.”

Fellene’s puppy, Champ, doesn’t seem to mind his new siblings, either.

“He kind of thinks they’re toys,” she said.

Dalton said Fellene will continue to nurse and clean the kittens for the next six weeks. Homes for the kittens have already been found.

Caring for the kittens was not a problem for hospital staff.

“Everyone was offering to take a turn,” said Shelley Sanchez, an employee in the medical records department, who named the kittens Scratch, A.V. (Alta View) and Boots. “It’s been really kind of fun.”