I've been a rescue mom for several years now, and I have one cat - she truly is the Perfect Cat - named Elle. Sweetest cat ever. Total lap cat, cuddle bug, great companion, and has been a true champion sharing our home with the fosters. More on that coming up.
Sadly, Elle and I lost out companion Kiddo in October, and now that we've healed and time has passed, we were ready for a new friend to join our home. When the idea of having kittens is put into the universe, I've learned it comes back time and time again. In this case, I wanted one kitten, and now I've got SIX!
A friend of mine took sympathy on several kittens in her neighborhood and started feeding a group of cats. After some wild experiences, the kittens went from a group of nine to a group of three. The three remaining were taken in by my friend and housed temporarily in her screened porch until a more permanent solution came along. Alas, she could no longer house the kittens, as one of her neighbors called the police, and her town has a limit on how many pets one is allowed per household. Having 2 dogs, the three kittens had to go. After some discussion, I agreed to take them in, for the time being, until we could find them Forever Homes.
The three kittens are: Lil' Bro, the stud of the bunch, Rue his sister (the explorer), and Sammy, who after a very rough start in life, has made some huge progress and though she has a way to go, she truly thrives in the company of Lil' Bro and especially Rue.
Lil Bro is, by far, the most social. Here is a video of him and I from VERY early on - our first week together - of him approaching me:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j1JVZ08PAU What's truly amazing is that these kittens are feral! For him to make such a move...I'm so impressed. This video was taken on March 26, 2011. Lil Bro and I are tight now; he comes right up to me...after a little bit of prancing and stretching. He's the kind of guy that needs to come to me, he's still not ready for me to go right up to him and pet him.
I get some help from friends from time to time, socializing and interacting with these guys. But in all truth, they still have a way to go.
And that's what this blog is all about.
Feral cats are an especially big challenge, not having the social skills that make them quickly adoptable. Furthermore, they did have some digestive concerns (diarrhea and fresh blood in stool), but they have been to my veterinarian and treated.
Both Lil' Bro and Rue are fixed and have their shots. Sammy was supposed to get spayed this upcoming Wednesday (April 20th, 2011), but...last night she gave birth to three babies!
So, in less than a month, I went from having one lazy happy fuzzy of my own to one cat, three fosters...and now one cat and SIX fosters.
I'm stressing out because I want the best for these kittens, but in all truth, I am over my head in this. The kittens have all been to my veterinarian (Sammy was the first to receive veterinary care and was treated for hookworms and diarrhea), and Rue and Bro again have their shots and are spayed and neutered.
I will happily foster and house Sammy and the babies until they are weened off and ready for their next home, but Lil Bro and Rue need a place of their own together, with someone who is willing to accept feral kittens. Rue still bolts when I show up, but when she's still, she'll let me pet her. She is a brave kitty, the first to explore her surroundings and try new things. Lil Bro is a total cheesecake; he's the soft, warm home they come to for shelter, protection, and comfort. Both these girls love him, and he does not discriminate which humans he allows contact; he's accepted everyone he's met so far.
Here is a video of the kids lounging about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFcfnJz67Q8
Pictures! Here are the three kitties together, from left to right: Sammy, Lil' Bro (under desk) and Rue.
Rue
Rue again...that face :)
Sammy squishing up against Lil' Bro
Rue in front, Lil Bro to her left and Sammy's head poking behind them!
Rue
Sammy lounging! It's pretty remarkable I got this pic - she's usually back under something as soon as I walk in the room. Getting this shot of her, relaxed and comfortable, is rare!
Three friends
I realized that our options are fairly limited - shelters don't have the time and resources to socialize these guys, and I don't want to resort to putting them down. They did not get a fair start in life and now that they've got a chance, I want to ensure that they find a good home.
As a bonus, here is Sammy and her babies:
Quite a surprise when they joined us last night!
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