Several years ago (and I do mean several - probably at least 10) a cat moved into our neightbor's barn and made it her home. She was very friendly and very hungry. They began feeding her and getting her immunizations since she obviously had no intentions of moving. And she affectionately got the name "Barn Kitty". Barn Kitty is a female and has not been spayed. She has had litters but none of the kittens ever live. She's getting pretty old now.
Two days ago she was in our garage and I heard the mewing of a new kitten. I began a search and found a little orange kitten, soaking wet and obviously 'just' born. I took Barn Kitty and her kitten down to our basement and made her a nice little area in the hopes of saving this first kitten that we've ever found alive. (She actually had another one too, but it was already dead when I found this one)
The poor kitten wasn't able to nurse. Barn Kitty has extrememly long hair and her belly is completely covered with it. I think the poor kitten couldn't find a nipple to latch onto because of all the hair. I got out the dog clippers and that darned cat lay on her back, spread eagled, and let me shave her whole belly area! That kitten latched on, sucked like mad, and enjoyed her first meal! Barn Kitty just purred through the whole thing.
The little one is now going on 3 days old and is doing great. She has a nice fat belly and seems fine. Barn Kitty is enjoying the good life - nutritious food, warmth, constant attention. She really is such a nice cat. BUT - when the little one gets older and to the point where she's eating on her own, they have to go outside again. We have a daughter with severe allergies and to be honest, none of us wants an inside cat. Hopefully I can find a home for the kitten.