Xeno and Ripley share everything: they sleep, eat, play, and are currently rearing their eight kittens together.

“They’re inseparable sisters,” Sarah MacLeod, a volunteer at the Exploits Valley SPCA, told The Dodo.

In late September, the young mothers arrived to the Exploits Valley SPCA. Both cats were less than a year old and weighed less than four pounds when they were rescued and transferred to the shelter by volunteers from a local rescue group.

The co-parenting moms moved into a large room with many of toys and nice bedding, and the tiny family is now prospering.

The mothers understand that parenting a large family is a two-cat job.

“Their offspring required a few more weeks to grow, so we put them in their own room and were continually fascinated by them,” MacLeod explained. “They entirely share the kittens; at any given time, all eight might be feeding from either mom.”

The two litters are so intertwined that it’s impossible to identify which kitten belongs to either mother, which is exactly how Xeno and Ripley like it.

When the mom cats aren’t caring for their rowdy babies, they may be found standing side by side at their room’s window, waiting to see a possible adoptive go by.

“They enjoy seeing down the hallway via the glass door,” MacLeod added. “They enjoy attention and people!”

A couple of the kittens have families who are eager to adopt them, but neither mother has received a single application.

The shelter wants to locate a loving family for Xeno and Ripley who will welcome them into their hearts and homes.

Everyone in the shelter can see that these cats are connected for life and eager to offer their future home all of their love and snuggles.