A rescue cat has become the mother figure to four tiny puppies after the loss of her own kittens.
Katryn was abandoned when she had just given birth to a litter.
The babies and their mother were taken to the Langebaan Animal Care, in Western Cape, South Africa, but unfortunately her offspring did not survive.
The ginger tabby went into mourning and became reclusive, and spent most of the time crying.
But things changed when four Border Collie cross puppies arrived at the shelter.
Katryn, who was still lactating, immediately began licking the three-week-old pups.
They instinctively began nursing on her, and she settled herself with them so they could have their feeds.
The feline made her home sleeping next to the pups and began cleaning and protecting them.
A representative from Langebaan Animal Care said: "As soon as she met the puppies she settled."
The centre said she just naturally wanted to look after them and that staff were just pleased she was now happy.
The puppies had been handed over to the centre as they were unwanted but they were so young that they still needed milk.
The mixed breed Border Collies are now six-weeks-old and are up for adoption.
