Street cat saves baby from freezing!

Masha, a long-haired tabby cat, saved the life of a human baby boy abandoned inside a cardboard box, on the streets of Russia — after she climbed into the box he was discarded in and kept him warm, until health officials came to the rescue.

“The baby had only been outside for a few hours and thanks to Masha, the little boy did not freeze to death.” a hospital spokesman said.

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Masha is a communal cat who is looked after by local residents. When she found the baby — who appeared to be in great shape — she immediately took care of the baby as if he were her own.

The whiskered hero kept meowing at people passing by, until one of the neighbors got her attention!

“She is very placid and friendly, so when I heard her meowing, I thought that perhaps she had injured herself,” said a neighborhood resident.“

“Normally she would have come and said hello to me. You can imagine my shock when I saw her lying in a box next to a baby.”

“Clearly her mothering instincts had taken over and she wanted to protect the child.”

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The baby was well-dressed with a little hat, and whoever left him here had even left a few nappies and some baby food. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital, where he was given a checkup and declared fit and healthy, officials said.

Since the child was found, Masha has been hailed as a hero by local residents — and she’s been reaping the benefits.

“Everyone in the block is very proud of her,” a city resident said. “We have all spoiled her rotten by giving her her favorite food.”