A heroic cat proved that there's nothing stronger than the bond between a mother and her children. A mama cat in California was rescued -- with her kittens -- after taking a bullet to save them.

The Del Mar Times reported that the mother and her litter were found abandoned and taken to a local shelter -- where the staff had trouble separating the mama from her from the kittens.

The responding veterinarian Dr. Helen Oba recalled, “Mommy and baby kitties are all doing fine, but it was touch and go when they first arrived. They were all very tiny, malnourished, unvaccinated and very scared. It took a gentle hand to pull that momma away from her babies.”

After taking the mother -- who has since been named Cindy -- for an examination, Dr. Oba discovered the reason for her trepidation: the litter had been shot at with a BB gun, and Cindy had a bullet lodged in her head. She was operated on and is recovering well.

Cindy and her babies will be available for adoption at Helen Woodward Animal Center. If you would like to adopt one of these rescues, please contact Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoption Department at: 858-756-4117 ext. 313, visit www.animalcenter.org or stop by at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.