Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Life has hit a little close to home lately... I've not been posting much because I was laid off on March 28th, and the public library limits computer access to 1 hour per day, Monday through Saturday. (I hope to get a computer this weekend at home - yay!!)

   So... yesterday I get a phone call from my friend S; she works at a railroad supplier, at a stop along the tracks. It's along the river bottoms, so there's lots of wildlife as well as feral cats. Three kittens had somehow crawled up on the top of the roof, and couldn't get down, and were crying and crying. They managed to get them safely off the roof, and corraled into a cardboard box. I picked them up yesterday afternoon, in fair condition; obviously hungry and a little dehydrated, with gunky eyes and filthy, filthy fur. I was most concerned about their eyes, and the dehydration.

   After getting them home and bathing them, I discovered they're all orange. One female and two males, it looks like, and one of them will have medium-length fur, not short fur. They're in the process of weaning; they only dove into dry food out of desperation. (They couldn't really eat it.) They're now eating canned food mixed with kitten formula. They're at the lovely stage of wearing as much of their food as they're eating! So daily bathing and plenty of touchup cleaning is going on, as well as the help with peeing & pooping; they have no idea yet what a litter box is for. These little guys can barely walk; one of them is quite vocal.

   After bathing, eating, peeing & pooping, it looks like they're all healthy. I will have to get them wormed when they're a little older; they're all pot-bellied but scrawny otherwise.

   The good news is that one of S's co-workers is seriously considering adopting all three of them, as they have three children. If I can give her the appropriate information about our local spay & neuter group, that will increase the likelihood of them getting adopted together by her. I'm hopeful that she'll be able to take them in a month or so.

   I only have a few "before" photos, but they're not posted on Catster yet. Maybe tomorrow night...

   And two of them purr readily; Mr. Strident has to be coaxed into it. They're all getting friendly, and they're starting to play. All great signs!

   Wish me luck!!

   Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

2. 

   Oh Ann, good luck. You are such a blessing to so many furrbabies. They sound so adorable. ((hugs))

   Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #

3. 

   Anncetera, I had wondered where you were! So sorry to hear about you getting laid off - are you looking around for something new?

   It's wonderful that you were able to take the little kittens in and care for them. It would be great if that woman would take all three of them! Best of luck with everything!

   Posted 3 years ago by GreatDane #

4. 

   good luck to you and the new kitties

   Posted 3 years ago by Crazycatman - CA #

5. 

   Ann, how wonderful of you to take care of these fur babies!!! {{hugs}}

   Posted 3 years ago by BCAMflorida227 #

6. 

   Awww, orangie rescue! Hope everything continues to go well with them.
   How dare the public library limit access! ;-)

   Posted 3 years ago by NNGM #

7. 

   Anncetera, I'm sorry, I didn't know about the job situation - hope you manage to find something else soon. And I hope you get a home computer soon too - TDK isn't the same without your advice!!

   These kittens sound gorgeous, and I'm sure they'l thrive under your care. Fingers crossed this woman will take all three - what a great result that would be!

   Posted 3 years ago by MadcatwomanintheUK #

8. 

   Ann to the rescue!!! thank goodness for you rescuing these Orangies. I wish you luck and give those precious bundles scritches from me and the gang.

   Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #

9. 

   Oh Ann... so sorry about the job ! I've been wondering about you, missing your posts.

   So good, you, on the kittens ! I'll keep positive thoughts that all 3 babies can go to the same home. They've had enough trauma in their little lives.

   (Side note: Melia (she still doesn't respond to Mili) is such a LOVER !!! OMG... she is snuggled up to me every night; has to be tucked into a nook somewhere along my body. She and Chloe still don't 'play'... but she will take a swat at Chloe on occasion. Lot's of chasing. Still hissing and batting... less growling on Chloe's part. I'm so happy to have been adopted by her!)

   Posted 3 years ago by 2 Popoki #

10. 

    anncetera...I'm so sorry to hear of you being laid off. I understand how you must be feeling. You've also got a heart of Gold for saving those little sweethearts. I remember all too well how adorable they can be at that stage of life. I wonder what happened to their mama?

    * a pat on the back to your friend for spotting the little darlings & calling you for help.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

11. 

    Anncetera: I too have been missing your posts and was puzzling over your absence. I just have to say I think you are sooooooo wonderful for helping these kitties...I don't know what the world of kitties would be without people like you. Good job Ann...can't wait to see the pics and will be so glad when you get your computer again. Very sorry about the job. All things happen for reasons..your Karma will take you to new places just as the plan is meant to be. {{{hugs}}}

    Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

12. 

    You were laid off so you could be there to rescue and care for the three little pigs. Once they're adopted you'll be free to jobhunt again. I hate it you were laid off, though.

    Posted 3 years ago by SharoninAustell46 #

13. 

    First, thank you all for your good thoughts regarding my unemployment. I'm looking for work, but I'm really hoping to find something for 40-50 hours/week that will be sufficient for me to support myself. (If I can't, I'll have to get a full-time and part-time job.) I have a decent severance package, though, since I worked there for nearly 10 years, so I'm not panicking yet. If I don't have another job lined up by the 4th of July, THEN I'll be panicking!

    And hallelujiah!! All three kittens decided to use the litter box I rigged up for them this morning! Already they're being less messy, which is good for all of us. I'm still feeding frequently, but working to get them accustomed to water and dry food, and feeding a little less of the wet food. So far, so good.

    The female shorthair is now named Mimi - as in Screaming Mimi. She's already crying a lot less, though. I think they're all feeling a bit more reassured that regular food, water, attention, and cleaning is part of their lives. I don't have names for the other two yet. I'm hoping to take pictures (cell phone only, so not best quality) and get them put up on Catster later today.

    Once I'm absolutely positive they're all using the litterbox for both peeing and pooping, and that it's a good routine, I'll see if I can get them wormed (very light dosage). They all have hugely distended tummies, and I can't tell how much of that is from eating (or lack thereof), how much might be worms, or if there's something else going on.

    They're all beginning to bond, too; purring now comes from all of them. And the play behavior is increasing to stiff-legged, ill-controlled zooming, stalking, and arched backs.

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

14. 

    2P, I'm so glad to hear that Melia is doing so well! Has she let you pick her up and hold her yet? Sorry that Chloe's still not enchanted, but I'm hopeful she'll get less grumpy, over time.

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

15. 

    anncetera2 what a angel you...I wish you best of luck in your job hunting...

    Posted 3 years ago by 2bpurring #

16. 

    Thank you, 2BP! I'm going to need it.

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

17. 

    Anncetera, I want to kiss you! You are an angel! Thank you so much for taking care of these babies. I hope you'll land on a great job soon (when the kittens no longer need you 24/7).

    Posted 3 years ago by miu #

18. 

    All good and positive thoughts and prayers for you anncetera. I do so wish I could foster like you do--if only my honey wasn't so allergic--oh well, I live vicariously through everyone here. I hope you have fun with your new kits.

    Posted 3 years ago by Shelley #

19. 

    Ann... if anyone can care for kitties, it's you. Just watching you with Melia in my small bathroom was amazing. You have the patience of a saint !

    No.. Melia won't let me pick her up. That's OK. Chloe isn't a fan of that either.... so I go to their level (wherever that is) for pets and love. I'm more than happy with her snuggles and cuddles. This morning she insisted on being under the blanket with me. :) Her attention to me as even encouraged Chloe to come to my lap again. I think Chloe will eventually settle down... just on her time frame - not mine.

    {{HUGS}} To you Ann !!!

    Posted 3 years ago by 2 Popoki #

20. 

    Good Luck with your rescue orangies. Thank you for stepping up to help.
    I'm sorry that you lost your job, prayers that something even better comes your way soon.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #

21. 

    Thank you all! 2P, I'm sure you're right; it's just that the adjustment's on Chloe's timetable, not yours. I don't have the patience of a saint, but I do try to understand animals, and where their behavior is coming from.

    See y'all later!

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

22. 

    anncetera2, you are an angel to these furry little ones, and really sorry to hear of the job situation. Best of wishes for the job hunting and hope that the person interested in the kittens does take all three, that would be excellent.

    Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

23. 

    anncetera...I'm so glad to hear you have some sort of comfort timezone before you have to resume working again. It does give you a break from stress just knowing you have time. Your little trio sound like they're quite appreciative that you came along & rescued them when you did. They couldn't ask for a better foster mom than yourself.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

24. 

    Maybe the timing on losing your job was a blessing in disguise, anncetera so you were right there when those spiky-furred babies needed someone the most. It's so much fun to watch them play at that stage....SO ferocious they are!

    Posted 3 years ago by Siobhan #

25. 

    I agree with you Siobhan..This was perfect timing for the future of these little sweeties! I love the name Mimi for the little screamer...hahaha! I'm not good with naming critters but I bet alot of these TDKers could help come up with names for the other two....

    Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

26. 

    Bless you Ann-you are an angel! I know you will find a new job quickly--what goes around, comes around.

    What do you do for the gooky eyes? I find ferals in our area have this problem.

    Posted 3 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #

27. 

    Sheba's Mom, I'm finding that wiping their faces with a warm, damp washcloth at least 2x daily seems to be taking care of the gunky eyes. Ferals, well, if they have an upper respiratory infection or any sort of scratch on the cornea (common, if they're fighting) they'll show nasty gunkiness. I think all you can really do for ferals is try to get them TNR, and keep them as healthy as possible with regular food & clean water afterward. I have sometimes added antibiotics to the food or water, with some success. I try to do that only when I have a feral with a serious, obvious infection that isn't getting any better.

    And Siobhan, I was telling them today how very FIERCE they are! Such mighty little hunters!! LOL

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

28. 

    Anncetera, I'm sorry, I didn't know about the job situation. I hope your job search finds you the job you seek and hopefully soon too. As Siobhan said, it seems there is a reason to your being laid off...helping these three wee kitties. You are an angel to be helping them. Sounds like it is an amazing experience to help such small kittens and get to watch them grow. God bless you for helping them.

    Posted 3 years ago by SylvesterMiasMomma #

29. 

    Sorry to hear about the job situation, ann, but way to go with those kittens! I'm so glad to hear they have you to take care of them.

    Posted 3 years ago by Cats4Cats #

30. 

    I have them listed on Catster now; click my name to see the "before" photos.

    Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #

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