This is Butterscotch and her newborn kittens. We got a call yesterday for emergency feline fostering. If they couldn’t find fosters, this lovely baby and her kittens, plus others, would be euthanized. We agreed to take Butterscotch (my name for her) and the babies, figuring Momma Cat would do all the work. No bottle feeding every three hours, just feed Momma and make sure things are kept clean and neat. No bottle feeding means less chance of the uber bonding that always happens when I feed the babies every few hours and they look at me as their mom. Butterscotch, on the other hand, is about as sweet and loving as a rescue cat could be. We have them in a warm, cozy cage in the garage (the warmest room in our house). It’s kept shut so Butterscotch won’t up and move the kittens to some nook or cranny where we can’t get to them. But I’ve already let her out to roam a few times (supervised) and it’s so cute to watch – she’ll come out and let me pet her, then go back into the kittens. Then back out again for pets and a little exploration…then back in. She went to the far end of the garage for a bit; I called to her and she came trotting back, tail and ears perked up, straight to me.
Sigh…
We have them until the kittens are old enough to adopt (two months). Then they go up for adoption via the cat rescue organization involved. They are supposed to pay for all vet bills in the interim. My only caveat is if the cats are supposed to go into a shelter environment during the adoption procedure. I can’t stand the thought of giving them love and a comfy place and a place to play (we’ll be moving them when the kittens are old enough to start playing and need more room) only to back into steel cages full time. So we’ll see.
But in the meantime, all of the fun of watching kittens and none of the work of bottle-feeding!
Awwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are so precious I’m in danger of melting into a big puddle. You and Dave just enjoy the heck out of them all. I, too, hope they won’t have to be put into cages after experiencing the freedom and love you’ve all given them. This story pretty much makes our day. Thank you so much for sharing these babies with us. LOL
Would that I knew where I was going to be next year…
Uber cute, I’m putting money on Butterscotch never making it back to the shelter.
That one puppy must take after the Daddy. Lots of people pay lip service to being kind to animals. I’m glad to see you did something positive.
We can’t have cats. My husband is allergic to them.
So, we have our dog, Rascal, who right now is whining at me because she knows I’m the easy touch. She’s already had a few walks today, gotten a new femur bone to chew and was in the year sunning herself (5 minutes only because she otherwise gets burned).
Have a great time with the kittens.
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
I’m a dog lover most, but I’ve always had an affection for cats also. We always had both for pets when I was a kid. They were all like members of the family. I cried for days when my first dog Ginger died. Had a funeral for her and everything (well I made one up – I was only 8) That Looks like a very wonderful little family you’re helpin out there, ZZ. Enjoy their spirits as they intertwine with yours for a while in this amazing adventure we call life on earth.
It’s supposed to read I was only “eight” What the? Where’d that smiley with the shades come from?
jack, we will definitely enjoy every minute of the time we have with them. I am a natural born kitten/cat nurturer. Some people are good with kids, I’m good with cats. 🙂
We shall see, Lisa…heheheheh…If we look after SPike/Sorscha while you’re in China, you just might find they’ve multiplied in your absence.
Adele, you’re probably right…
Morgan, I would love to have a big plot of land with a place for homeless cats… I do love ’em.
Marvin, the mystery of smiley faces! 🙂
What Adele said!
Hey – I posted this pic on my LJ so that perhaps we can help with placement. Also just sent you a pic of Enigma and Spiral. They are SO beautiful!
You know in a few years we’ll all have that co-op together that’ll just be one big informal cat rescue!