CLEVELAND (AP) - A cat caring for four newborn kittens is nursing an orphaned week-old pit bull puppy in Cleveland.

Ms Sharon Harvey of the Cleveland Animal Protective League said on Wednesday that Lurlene the cat welcomed Noland the puppy to her "unusual little family".

The puppy was dropped off at the animal shelter last week when he was a day old.

The staff decided to place Noland with the nursing cat and her litter because bottle feeding doesn't always work.

The puppy will grow faster, so the shelter says it may have to come up with another feeding idea in several weeks until Noland is ready for adoption.