A Year in Numbers

I wanted to recap this years sterilization/foster/adoption efforts with a few statistics of my own. So here we go -

Since beginning my TNR efforts in March 2011 I have:

• Sterilized 44 cats (pets, fosters and ferals)
• Fostered 12 cats (2 still in foster care)
• Adopted out 12 cats (some went to their new homes right off the street - no foster required!)
• Assisted with the sterilization of approximately 550 cats as a volunteer (based on a conservative 35 on the Meow Mobile and 100 at the free MDAS spay day events)

I think these items are also worth mentioning:

• I volunteer managing the Pet Point data entry for the Cat Network for granting purposes. 

• I volunteer as a Vet Tech for the Meow Mobile, assisting with the surgical prep of cats (and some rabbits and dogs...).

• I volunteer as a Vet Tech for the vaccination clinics (testing and vaccines for foster cats and kittens)

• I founded the UM Spay Neuter Program on campus, and have now joined efforts with the Pre-Vet Society to teach them the importance of TNR, and even more importantly, how to do it on campus. I have also secured University funding for the sterilizations, and helped create a new Standard Operating Procedure for dealing with feral cats on campus. As a result we now have a detailed database tracking all campus cats as they are reported, which also includes all medical records for each cat.

• I am a founding member of the South Florida University Cat Coalition, which is a partnership between UM, Miami Dade College, Barry University and St. Thomas University to join our campus cat programs in an effort to educate the student body and share tips. In the future we hope to secure grant funding through this partnership.

Christmas presents

Why bothered getting the animals anything for Christmas, when they so clearly prefer the box the present came in...!!!

Presents

James tries to help wrap presents, but doesn't really understand the concept. I guess he figures he's the best present anyone could ever ask for...!!

Merry Catmas

Playing with the People

Zadie is Adams cat all the way, and has no issue sitting in front of the tv while he plays video games. Guns blazing and bombs going off, you'd think she was rescued from a battlefield the way it doesn't even sort of phase her. She also sometimes likes to get up and swat at the enemies on tv... I think it's her way of helping him win!! 

And here's the view of where Adam is sitting to play his game ... Emma is keeping him company so he doesn't have to fight the battle alone!!

Porcelain Princess

Splinter loves to lie in the bathroom sink. It's pretty much the daily routine every morning as I try to get ready for work. Sometimes I wish I could just call in and say "sorry, I can't come in today... my cat won't let me finish getting ready so I'm going back to bed".

She also loves to attack the drain hole... apparently something very evil is living in there, because she fights it with all her might!!

The Latest Maryland Rescue Trip

I'm so glad Cane and Percy could find their forever homes in Miami, opening up space for another litter of kittens to go to Maryland for their forever homes!!! Such a fantastic way to start the holidays!:)
...............................................................................................................

Hello Members,

125 kittens are on their way to Last Chance Animal Rescue (LCAR) in Waldorf, Maryland. 86 of the kitties were from Miami-Dade Animal Services - yay!

LCAR is a non-profit organization that has adoption centers in the Petsmarts in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Viriginia. Due to cold winters, kittens are scarce this time of year so they gladly welcome the precious little babies we send them.

This effort would not be possible but for the hard work of the following people who have dedicated countless hours in the last two weeks to make the project a success:

Cindy, Coordinator

Pat

Megan

Charlene

Sylvia

Also lending their time to help clean the foster facility where shelter kittens were temporarily housed were:

Catherine

Francisco

Natalie

Shannon
Mindy
Maria 

Thank you to Marissa and Graciela who fostered shelter kitties in their homes pending transport.  

Thank you to Sandi, Isabel and Luis, Julie, and Patrick, who helped with the final preparations necessary to send the kitties to LCAR.

Thank you to Dr. Morejon from Miami-Dade Animal Services who volunteered his time yesterday morning to check the kitties and make sure they were healthy for transport. Thank you also to Dr. Serrano at Miami-Dade Animal Services and her staff who worked extra hard to accommodate our shelter kitties, and ensured they had all the medical treatment necessary to make the trip safely. 

Thank you to our drivers, Silvia and Mike, who are traveling 18 hours non-stop to Maryland to bring the kittens that much closer to their forever homes.

Last but certainly not least, thank you to Richard, who graciously offered us space in his warehouse to house the shelter kittens pending transport.

A round of applause is certainly in order for all the volunteers who made this transport possible. This is yet another excellent example of what people who share a common goal of helping cats can accomplish.

Thanks again,

Sylvia Mora

Public Relations Liaison

The Cat Network, Inc. 

three of the shelter kittens that are making the life saving journey

Percys new home

Percy moved into his new forever home on Saturday, and has settled in quite nicely. He immediately began exploring the area (he has so much more room to play now), and found his new favorite window. According to his new loving human, he's been playing with his toys a lot and following his people around the house. He also is big on snuggles when they're resting on the couch!!!

It's so great to start the holidays off right, with a new happy home for a great little guy:) And more so, that Percy is back to being a healthy, awesome kitten!

Percy in his new window

Percy snuggles with his human

Target kitty goes to school

Target cat was relocated to his new home on the University of Miami campus this weekend. I expected him to dash off as soon as the trap door was opened, but instead he ran into the nearby bushes and just hung out there. I left a lot of dry food for him so he would learn the feeding station location, and as I was leaving I saw the black kitten trapped the week before making his way over to say hello. They're roughly about the same age, and since they're both neutered they'll get along fine. On Monday I'll go back over to check up on him, but I already know this was the best choice that could be made for this little guy. I'm sure he's glad to have a little green in his life as well (and a lot less cars)!!

 

I also have been back to Target a couple times looking for stubby butt, but so far I haven't been able to locate the second kitten. I'll keep trying though, and will eventually reunite the siblings in their new home!

Cattitude

This is what it feels like in my house sometimes (and by sometimes I mean most of the time):

MDAS

Waiting in line...

The Target cat I was able to trap is currently at Animal Services awaiting it's sterilization. After it recovers overnight I'll be able to release the kitty in it's new, safer home. I'm hoping to get the second one tonight so they can be released together, but we'll see how it all works out. At least it's one more cat sterilized and living a better life...!

Percy goes to the Doctor...

Since the cream kitten moved into his forever home and Percy went for his vaccinations, the baby boy has been a little more lethargic and a lot less hungry. At first it seemed like a natural side effect of his vaccinations, and then it seemed like depression, but turns out it was neither of those things. After trying everything we could think of to make him better I decided it was time for a visit to Dr. Lista. So off we went this morning only to discover that Percy somehow managed to get whip worms - a parasite most often found in dogs (and rarely in cats). The worms cause vomiting, diarrhea, anemia and dehydration, all symptoms Percy exhibited (and also including a slight fever). He was given subcutaneous fluids, vitamin boosters, and a host of other antibiotic injections, and has been put on a special dewormer to get rid of the whip worms. He's also being fed a Hill's special diet food to boost his weight and get him back to being an active kitten!!

It's so great to have an amazing vet who not only does a thorough job, but goes above and beyond to make sure these animals are happy and healthy. For anyone living in the Miami area I really can't recommend Trail Animal Hospital enough... they're kind, caring and do everything they can to take care of the animals that come to the clinic!!!

Now to just get Percy back on track so he can get into his forever home and start living the life of a healthy, spoiled kitty!!!

Trouble at Target

Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much. Or that it didn't feel like nature was pinning all this on me.
Last night as I ran a simple errand to Target to get a few stocking stuffers, a small cat ran across my path in the busy parking lot. It looked to be about 4 months old, and my first reaction was that it had wondered over from a nearby neighborhood and couldn't find it's way back. So I went inside, bought some cat food, and drove around the parking lot until I found the cat in question. I lured it to a less busy area of the parking lot and put out some food to see how friendly it was. That's when the second kitten came.
It then seemed more like a litter had just been dumped there, either in the hopes that a shopper would pick them up, or more likely that they would be killed (maybe someone who felt better about doing it this way than throwing them in a lake or something). Either way, they were small, starved and going to be hit by a car soon enough. The second one had already been injured, as it was missing most of its tail and only had a messy stump.
So I ran home, got two traps and my supplies (including my trapper in crime- Anna) and back we went for the kittens.
We trapped the first one right off the bat, but stubby butt was way too scared to catch easily. Added to that were two security guards who not only didn't support what we were trying to do, but actively tried to keep us from catching the second kitten. After giving it some time but realizing we weren't going to catch it with the two of them there, we exchanged a few heated words and then left to revise our strategy.
I haven't given up trapping the second kitten, and I absolutely will be back with reinforcements, but in the mean time I'm working to fatten up the one we did trap and then I'll release it in with my colony. I know that's not the best course of action, but it's the best option I have in an otherwise bad situation, and at least it gives this kitten a better chance at a decent life than it would have trying to survive in one of the busiest shopping center parking lots in Miami. And in the mean time I'll try to remember that just because they hiss and cry while in the trap, this is better for them- they just don't know it.

Staging Facility

With another trip to Maryland planned for this coming Sunday, Animal Services has been handing over all their kittens to the Cat Network for some loving care and preparation. With the numbers already well over 50, a lot of space was required to house the kittens until transport this weekend. A kind member donated a large space to use as a staging facility, and there are currently about 60 cats being housed there with more coming in each day. Volunteers spend time there in shifts, cleaning cages, feeding everyone, playing with the kittens and anything else that is required. My first shift was last night, and I have to say it was pretty interesting. I've never had to care for that large a number before, but with the right system in place (which is the case here) it's pretty easy and much better for all the kittens. And while they were all so cute I wanted to take each and everyone one of them home, I know they'll all end up with caring forever families!!

Here are a few pictures I snapped last night:

Kitties all lined up...

Socializing

These three were beautiful, and will be adopted in no time!!

Two litters of kittens, both trouble makers!

 

Relaxing...

Run for the Cause!

A good friend of mine and great defender of animals has recently decided to challenge herself with running the ING Miami Marathon. 26.2 miles exhausts me just to say it let alone run it, but in the spirit of the challenge she has gone one step further in the hopes of raising money for an excellent cause. Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue is a non-profit started by a couple of determined young ladies in South Florida who were looking for a way to help the bully breeds that are so misunderstood. In Miami-Dade county it is illegal to own a bully breed, and if they are brought into the shelter they are euthanized because of an ignorant law (bully breeds are the number one breed killed in shelters each year). They are the most misunderstood animal, which is incredibly sad because they really are among the sweetest!! BHBDR works to pull these animals from shelters where they will be killed, and find loving homes for them anywhere they can through what is known as the Underground Dog Railroad. They're an amazing bunch of people, and I highly encourage you to learn more about their organization here: BHBDR

And if you're feeling in the holiday spirit and would like to help a passionate & caring woman reach her goals, you can do so here: Run for the Dogs

Let's Make Magic Happen

Now that we've found a home for the cream colored kitten, let's make magic happen and find a Miami home for Percy, the black and white kitten!!!

He's incredibly sweet and loving, would get along great with kids and other animals, and is unbelievably well behaved!!! He'll just spend his time relaxing or playing on his own until you're ready to pet him, and then he'll roll over on his back for some belly rubs and purrs!! He also doesn't bite or scratch, and stays out of trouble (unlike a few others in my house). He would make a fantastic furry friend for anyone lucky enough to give this guy a loving home!!!!!

He's 3 months old, has tested negative for everything, has been neutered and vaccinated. He's also on Revolution so he's free of fleas, mites, worms and other parasites!! All he needs is someone to love him:)

Homeward Bound

The tiny cream colored kitten (who ended up being called both Sebatian and Cane, for lack of decision making) made his journey to his hopeful forever home this evening. He'll be given a few days to adjust and make sure it's the right fit, but so far everything looks good! He'll have two lady playmates- a 9 month old and a 4 year old, so I know he'll get a lot of playtime and love. The human isn't bad either;)

In the car, going home...

Test time

Both kittens went to the Humane Society for their testing this afternoon. Neither of them were very happy about it.

Despite the unhappy feelings regarding tests (something I can absolutely relate to) both kitties were negative for FiV/Leukemia/Heartworms!! One more win for the kitties!

Kitty Cat Shout Outs!

The kitties are all putting their paws together for the awesome people who have donated for the testing and vaccinating of the newly rescued kittens!!!

Big hearty thank yous to Anna & Ray and Charlotte!!!

If you'd like to help any and all donations are greatly appreciated!!... You can use the Paypal donation tool on the top right of this blog. All donations go directly to the cats!!!!

Thank Mew

And in other good news, it looks like the little white kitten may have found his forever home right here in Miami. If it all works out we'll be able to send another kitten to Maryland in his place, making it three lives saved this Christmas:) Fingers and paws crossed!!!

Double Rescue

(Please read the post title with the "Double Rainbow" video in mind...)

Great news on an otherwise odd day- I can send the black & white kitten I trapped from my neighborhood colony to Maryland as well!! Right now I've got the little white kitten playing inside a large dog crate (he's actually discovered the joy of cat toys!) and the b&w kitten hanging out in the room (outside the crate). That way they can get used to each others smells without actual contact - until they're ready to snuggle!!!

They both will go for testing and vaccines on Saturday, and once those are complete they'll only have one more week until they make the journey into their forever homes!!!

I'm so happy we could add a second kitty to the rescue mission, getting one more off the streets and living the life it deserves:)

And a million and one thanks to Charlotte for her amazing donation that will go toward testing and vaccinating the kitties (and helping to save their furry lives)!!! This is what the holidays are all about!!!:)

From Trap to Rescue... a kitten's story!

Could you say no to this face??
I didn't think so!!
 

One of the vet techs on the Meow Mobile spent Monday night also trapping cats near UM (there are a few houses across the street from campus that have many, many cats that cross back and forth from the homes to campus, etc.... needless to say a lot of kittens are born, and a lot of cats unnecessarily die crossing the busy street).  She ended up trapping ten, one of which was this little white kitten about 7 weeks old. He was scruffy and dirty, just the way I love them, so after I saw him in the clinic I knew I couldn't let him be returned to campus. I called in many favors and ended up getting the okay to send him to Maryland on the next trip (December 18th) on the assurance that I'd have him tested, vaccinated, cleaned up and socialized before then. 

So home with me he came. 

It's been less than a day, but already he'll sit in my lap and let me pet him, and as of late last night I actually even got some purrs!!! It's great progress, so I'm hoping he'll be a quick turnaround from feral to total lover!

It's a little hard to see in the pictures, but he's a white/cream color with an orange striped tail and orange ears... way too cute to not be adopted quickly!!!

Look at those orange ears!!

A little unsure still, but such a pretty kitty!

Neighborhood Colony Cats

Since I wasn't able to trap 4 UM cats on Monday, I tried to make a dent in the feral colony on my street. I had managed to clean up the colony about 90%, but was meet with resistance from certain neighbors with the rest. Lo and behold, two new litters were born this fall!! So now I've got to essentially start over, but this time there will be no retreat!!!

Two of the four kittens I want to trap (about 4-5 months old) made their way into my traps effortlessly. They also have spent the entire time they've been in the traps rolling over, wanting to be pet, and just purring up a storm. Hopefully I can make them a little more tame before I put them back, so that if I need to catch them again it will be easy.

 This one (sorry for the bad picture, but he really doesn't stop moving) is the biggest lover.... not a single cry, only purrs!!

 

This one, however, does cry for attention (but in a good way). He also has the start of a respiratory infection so he's getting treated for that as well.

UM/Coral Gables Nomads

These are just a few of the 10 nomads trapped on Monday, that make their way across the busy street between the houses and the campus.They're all still coming out of anesthesia from their sterilizations (the best way to get non-moving pictures of cats!!) so that's why they look so sleepy (because they are...).

Another dent in the UM cat population

These are the two cats I caught at UM Monday night. Both are all black males, and are about 8 months old. The third of their litter was adopted (hooray!!), and their mother is of course proving hard to trap. But I'll get her!!

At least there are now two fewer kittens making babies on campus, and these sweet guys will now be healthier kitties to boot!!

 

An Awkward Trapping Adventure

Tonight, we trap!

The catch - I'm on crutches.

I'm not entirely sure how this is going to work out, but I do (hopefully) have a few volunteers meeting me later this evening from the Pre-Vet Society on campus. I'll be teaching them how to trap feral cats in exchange for help lifting and placing the traps (what better way to learn than fully hands on?!).
I'll be targeting a colony of littermates near the Science Building, one of whom has already been caught (he was tame enough for the feeder to pick him up and put him in the carrier earlier this afternoon). That just leaves three more spots to fill for tomorrow's sterilizations!!!
Hopefully all goes as planned and we end up with kitties in the traps!!:) It feels good to be back on this side of sterilizations!

UPDATE:
We were able to catch the other kitten by the science building, but the mother was no where to be found... she's a tricky one, but she also just moved herself up to the most wanted spot on my list. I'll be trying for her again later this month (it's easier to trap on campus when all the students are gone for the holidays).
We also caught a small kitten near the Music School, but sadly the trap malfunctioned and baby cat escaped. At least that one will be easy to catch again later (and we have a little more time since it's still too young to start reproducing). That mother is also on the elusive side, but I will catch her all in due time.

After calling it a night on campus I decided to try for a few kittens that live in my neighborhood, just so I could make my number of appointments on the Meow Mobile. Sure enough it only took seconds for two of the four to make their way into the traps, filling my quota. The other two I'll trap in the coming weeks, and any others that I find (I'm working on cleaning up the feral colony on my block - see earlier posts for the backstory).

So now the 4 kitties are awaiting their sterilizations on the Meow Mobile, where they'll also get the rabies vaccine and Revolution to treat fleas, mites, lice and worms. I'll pick them up at 3, take them home for recovery (and get pictures for my database), and then they'll go back to their friends tomorrow!
I'm so glad I was able to catch a good round of ferals, and that the Pre-Vet Society was there to help!! Hopefully they continue with the mission:)

Holiday Shopping

With my holiday shopping in full swing I think the only gifts I never have trouble buying are those for all the animals in my life. The normally spoiled cats are given even more toys, attention and pampering, and the animals of friends get a taste of the same treatment as well (although those gifts are from my fuzzies to their fuzzies).


Here are some of my favorite holiday pet gifts:

These are a HUGE hit with all the cats I know!!

A festive cat scratcher

Fun for humans and animals alike

 And of course no gift is complete without a few bags of treats - Temptations are the big winners in my house, with Friskies Party Mix coming in a close second!!

Cat Christmas Safety

*Just a helpful reminder of things to keep in mind this holiday season to ensure your pets are safe and sound! These tips were taken from Cat World

Tips To Keep Your Cat Safe during the Holidays

Christmas is an exciting time for the family, but it always pays to take some extra precautions with our pets. There are many dangers around, below are some suggestions on how to ensure your cat stays safe during the Christmas period.

Christmas Tree/Decorations

The only fool proof way to keep your cat away from your Christmas tree  is to put the tree in a room the cat can't access. Unfortunately, this is often not practical. So the next best solution is to make the tree as safe as possible.  Real Christmas trees are more dangerous to cats than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten, they are also toxic to cats. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your cat isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Ensure the tree has a good solid base so it won't easily be knocked over by your cat. Try not to have the tree near furniture & or shelves which the cats could use to jump onto the tree.

Be careful with tinsel, if you must have it on your tree, place it at the top of the tree where the cat is less likely to be able to get at it. Tinsel can be caught around the base or move down to the intestines & stomach & cause a blockage, which will result in emergency (and costly) surgery to remove it.   A safer alternative are the strands of beads. Ornaments should be securely attached to the tree to prevent them being knocked off. Also place delicate ornaments up high where they're less likely to be knocked off & broken. When there is nobody around, unplug Christmas lights, you may want to try applying a cat repellent  such as bitter apple to the lights to deter your cat from chewing the wires, obviously if this was to happen it could cause a fatal electric shock.

Artificial snow is toxic to cats, so is best avoided.

Candles are especially popular over the Christmas holiday period, be careful to make sure your cat can't get close to lit candles.

Please note, your cat isn't a novelty item & it's dangerous to try & decorate your cat with ribbons etc.

Plants

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias are all popular plants to have in the home at Christmas, especially in the northern hemisphere. These plants are toxic to cats so should be placed where your cat can't get to them. Please see our page on common household toxins for an extensive list on toxic & non toxic plants.

Food/Sweets/Chocolate

Many cat owners enjoy giving their cat the occasional treat of "human" food & generally this doesn't harm the cat.  However, it is important to remember that some foods which are fine for humans to eat can be toxic to cats. The odd sliver of chicken or turkey (off the bone) is fine, however it really isn't a good idea to give them large quantities of such food as this can lead to gastrointestinal problems.  Never give your cat cooked chicken or turkey bones, these bones can splinter & can become lodged in your cat's throat or puncture the intestines & stomach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine & theobromine, which are both toxic. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate watch for signs of restlessness & vomiting, if in doubt, see your vet.

Cats will often scavenge for food in the garbage so be aware that if you've covered your turkey with foil & thrown it in the bin, your cat may drag it out & chew on it which could make the cat sick. Cooked turkey bones will also attract your cat. Be aware of this & if possible, take your food scraps etc., to your outside bin.

Xmas ribbons/wrap

Rbbons etc., pose the same problem as tinsel, if eaten, it may lead to intestinal blockages. It's important to ensure all ribbons/wrap etc., are safely disposed of.

Visitors

Some cats love the attention of visitors, others find strangers in their house stressful. Christmas is often a busy time with visitors coming & going. Be mindful of your cat's feelings & give the cat the option of somewhere quiet to escape to should the need arise, this is particularly important if your friends & relatives have young children.

Holidays

If you are going away on holiday, you have several options for your cat. You may choose to put your cat in a boarding cattery while you are gone. It is best to check out the premises prior to taking your cat there so you can ensure the cattery meets your standards. Any reputable boarding cattery will insist your cat is up to date on it's vaccinations, this is important for the well being of your cat & all other cats they have boarding there. Many vets also do boarding for cats but in my opinion this isn't ideal for more than a few days as their cages tend to be much smaller than those you'd expect to find in a boarding cattery.

There are a growing number of pet sitters available these days. They will come over once or twice a day to feed & play with your cat & to clean the litter tray. I find this most suitable when going away for a few days.

If you are going away for an extended period of time you may want to consider asking a friend or relative to house sit.

Whichever option you take, make sure you leave a phone number where you can be contacted & your vet's telephone number in case of an emergency.

Toys

When buying toys for your cat, make sure you thoroughly check them first. Similar precautions should be taken with your cat's toys as you'd take buying a toy for a young child. Make sure there is nothing glued on that the cat can pull off & swallow. As the toy will quite likely be chewed on, ensure that it's made from a non-toxic substance. There are many wand like toys on the market which most cats love, these should be put away safely when not in use because the cat could become tangled on the string. Any toy that is small enough for your cat to swallow is dangerous & should be avoided.

Kittens as gifts

Buying a kitten as a gift is fine as long as the person receiving the kitten has asked for a pet & knows that owning a cat is quite likely to be a 15-20 year responsibility. Never buy a pet as a surprise gift for somebody. Also, because Christmas is usually such a chaotic time, it is best to try & arrange to collect your kitten after Christmas to avoid undue stress on the animal. Please, if you are considering buying a pet as a gift, really think it through before you do so. Pet ownership is a big responsibility & shouldn't be entered into lightly. Any shelter worker will tell you that their most busy time of the year is just after Christmas people bring them unwanted pets. Don't add to the problem by buying a pet for somebody on a whim.

A Big Trip!

The kittens on their way to Last Chance Animal Rescue in Maryland. Thanks to a small army of rescue workers 108 little lives were saved this Thanksgiving... talk about something to be thankful for!!!

 

From the Cat Network Facebook page (including photos):
We are delighted to report that 108 kittens were delivered to our sister group, Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Maryland on November 28th. 65 of those kitties are rescued from Miami-Dade Animal Services! A total of 77 kittens were actually pulled from the shelter for the project, but 12 stayed behind due to either adoption or illness. This effort could not be possible but for the assistance of so many volunteers, from the foster parents who cared for the shelter kittens prior to departure, to people who helped on the day of the actual transport. Preparing that many kittens was a massive undertaking and took us a total of EIGHT hours between the time the first set of kittens arrived til the time the transport van left the driveway. This project is yet another example of how team work can help save the lives of the little creatures who depend so much on us.

Foster Kittens

Over the Thanksgiving holiday Adam and I opened our home to four 7 week old foster kittens. They had been born next to an old bar on Key Biscayne (and I use that term loosely... it's honestly a shack, but that's what makes it so awesome). Shortly after giving birth their mother died, although we don't know any of the details. Enter the stray dog that found the kittens and nursed them, and the owner of the bar who called The Cat Network asking for help, and then fast forward to the amazing rescuers who picked up these lucky kittens and fattened them up (despite the dogs best efforts the kittens were malnourished and covered in fleas).

After a few weeks in their first foster home they came to us, where we treated them for respiratory infections and fattened them up even more. They were four of the most loving, playful kittens I've ever spent time with... running right up to the people for pets and purrs, and having such fun exploring their bedroom!

The foster kittens have since made their way to Maryland where they'll be placed in their forever homes, but since I miss their fun tiny kitten ways I thought I'd share a few photos from the week we got to play together.

Sharing a mid-afternoon snack

Theodore - he was the little teddy bear of the group!

Jimbo - a very affectionate kitty, named after the bar where they were found

Gimpy - he was the biggest lover of all!!

Magellan - She was the only lady of the bunch, and quite an explorer!

Theodore and Magellan stare at the crazy outdoors...

Theodore gets distracted by the blind pull...

 Wrestle time - Gimpy and Jimbo love to play!!