A cat who lay on top of her kittens to protect them, turned so affectionate when someone opened her home to help.

Sequoia the catLarissa @larissadubzLast month, a stray cat brought her four kittens to a resident’s garage in search of a safe haven. They were later surrendered to an animal shelter, desperately needing a foster home.

The shelter put out several pleas to local rescues asking for assistance. Larissa Dub, an ER doctor who volunteers for Liberation Cat House, received their final plea for help and leapt into action.

“The shelter mentioned she was not allowing handling of herself or her babies by the staff there. She was in the cage and would lay on top of her babies to protect them,” Larissa told Love Meow.

Larissa @larissadubzLarissa set up a room for the cat mom named Sequoia, so she could raise her kittens in a comfortable environment with plenty of good food and all the blankets at her disposal. “She deserved a chance at life and so did each of her babies.”

When Larissa arrived at the shelter for pickup, she didn’t know how the cat mom would react to her handling them.

Larissa @larissadubz“The second she was in my carrier and we were leaving the shelter, she seemed relaxed and showed zero signs of aggression,” Larissa shared with Love Meow.

“Once we got home, I opened her carrier in our foster bedroom, and she immediately came out and started rubbing all over me.”

Larissa @larissadubzSequoia’s demeanor completely changed the moment she realized that she and her babies no longer had to stay in the kennel.

She was delighted with her new living arrangements, and the wariness in her eyes turned into complete contentment. “She knew at that time that she was safe.”

Larissa @larissadubzAfter a tour around her new space, Sequoia went into her carrier, came out with a kitten and carried him over to her foster mom. She placed her precious baby on Larissa’s lap as if to give her human the official stamp of approval.