Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 11, 2009, 20:56:48 PM

Title: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 11, 2009, 20:56:48 PM
Last week we were contacted by a housing association. We had done some TNR for them last year after one of their estates developed a small group of semi-ferals that on one claimed to own. This time, they asked if we could help with some cats a resident who they evicted had abandoned.  :sneaky:

The housing officer said she had been in to the property and found 3 adult cats plus a litter of kittens, although she wasn't sure how old they were. She had bought some food and made arrangements for a neighbour to feed the cats through the letterbox, but she couldn't come down from London until today. So today our Welfare Officer and I arrived, tooled up to deal with all eventualities of course!  :rofl: But when we got there, the housing officer came out of the house to say she couldn't find the kittens.  :shify:

The adults - 3 beautiful torties - were there crying for food and were very, very hungry as the lady next door had run out of food the day before. The three of us then turned the house upside down and couldn't hear crying or other evidence the kittens were in the house.  :( It was spooky as this family had left everything, not even taken shoes, and their breakfast bowls still were sitting on the coffee tables.  :(

Next, we tried looking in the back garden as I wondered whether mum had shifted them outside as they house appeared abandoned. But again, no sign.  :scared: What also didn't help is that none of the females appeared to be in milk, which made us feel perhaps the kittens had died or mum had killed them because of the lack of food.  :'( After half an hour of turning everything over, we gave up and started loading the adults into the car. Caroline, our Welfare Officer said she wanted to try one more time to search for the kittens and went upstairs to the bedroom. Something made her roll back the duvet and there they were... a tiny bundle of four 1 week old jet black kitties.  :Luv:

I am so relieved Caroline rolled back the duvet I cannot tell you. Both her and the housing officer had searched that bedroom for at least 20 minutes but had not heard one peep. The house is now locked up waiting for a clearance gang for at least a week now so the kittens would have died left undiscovered.  :doh: :(

We took them back to Caroline's house and eventually we did figure out who mum was... but she was so, so hungry she couldn't have been making much milk and although we squeezed her nipples nothing came out. She ate 3 small meals straight off and then to our relief settled down to feed the kittens.  :Luv: They will be just fine now and are going off to one of our fosterers tomorrow... but I will be having nightmares tonight about what an awful tragedy that could have been!  :'(
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: ronandcats on March 11, 2009, 21:29:52 PM
Well done Julie and team, hope all is well with you Ron lostcatsbrighton :hug:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 11, 2009, 21:41:43 PM
Thanks, Ron.  :hug: :hug:

As it happens we have been lucky so far and these are our first kittens this year, so there's a waiting list to adopt them when they're ready.  :evillaugh: We do have another pregnant one about to drop any day as well. So I guess for us kitten season has officially started.  :tired:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on March 11, 2009, 21:45:45 PM
Well done! Try not to think about what could have been and feel pleased for what is!
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on March 11, 2009, 22:31:10 PM
Great job  :hug:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls on March 11, 2009, 23:06:17 PM
Brilliant  ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: bonnielass on March 12, 2009, 07:50:43 AM
What a nightmare, but well done for not giving up, these poor little kitties now have the chance to live  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on March 12, 2009, 08:15:28 AM
I am glad that these are safe thanks to your hard work, fingers crossed mum can support them without too much help.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Janeyk on March 12, 2009, 08:42:50 AM
 ;D what a great outcome, well done all  :hug:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Millies mum on March 12, 2009, 11:37:17 AM
What a great outcome well done to you all,my kittens are always hiding under my pillows or duvets they know how to keep warm and safe.  ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Gail Bengal Slave on March 12, 2009, 11:38:41 AM
sad start to the story  -but relieved that

1. You got the Girls
2. The kittens were found safe - shudder to think if Caroline hadn't gone back  :hug:
3. Mum Settled to feed her babies.

It would be great if all stories had this happy ending  :hug: xxxx
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 12, 2009, 12:07:29 PM
Thanks guys.  :naughty: :hug:

I think part of the problem was we were expecting kittens at least 2-3 weeks old. The housing lady had said she'd seen them in the house a week ago, so naturally we were looking for kittens capable of bouncing around and playing.  :sneaky: We now realise they could have only been a day or two old when she saw them, so of course they were still in a little ball sleeping a lot. A bit like looking for a lost pair of socks.  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Gail Bengal Slave on March 12, 2009, 12:36:19 PM
Julie all we need now is PICTURES

 :innocent: :shify: -

I just love happy endings - makes me go all dreamy  :Luv: :hug:.  though thinking of kittens I just get God dam broody  :Luv2:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Millies mum on March 12, 2009, 12:39:25 PM
i agree pictures of the kittens would be great!!! can't wait  :briggin:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 12, 2009, 12:57:23 PM
You lot and your pictures!  :rofl: :rofl:

They are now at our fosterers so I will see what I can do. But have you ever tried taking photos of tiny black kittens?  :shocked: :evillaugh:

We had a rugby scrum amoung the fosterers as to who was going to care for them. Everyone wanted the first kittens to the year! In the end Sharn won before there was too much blood shed.  Liz is looking after the pregnant puss but has bitten her finger nails to the bone in anticipation of labour starting.  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

This is that rare time that only lasts about 2 weeks were we are pleased to see the signs of spring.  :naughty:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Liz on March 12, 2009, 13:47:11 PM
tried the black cat thing - the hand rearing of 4 black kittens nearly had me tearing my hair out - Cougar and Puma never left and Aztec and Raven live in a big house at Gleneagles!!!! ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Canterbury_cats (Sharon) on March 12, 2009, 19:28:33 PM
Thanks to some great volunteers. (we have a good bunch here)... no sooner said then done.. Mum is callied Callie i think. No names yet for the kittens...
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Topsy Turvey on March 12, 2009, 19:37:04 PM
Aw so glad that you found them.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: nessa (A C S ) on March 12, 2009, 19:41:00 PM
Well done to all involved :Luv2:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Beth on March 12, 2009, 19:42:51 PM
 :wow: How beautiful is that mummy? :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: Gorgeous! And huge well done to those that saved them all. :Luv:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Wibblechick on March 12, 2009, 20:52:19 PM
Those kittens must have one powerful Guardian Angel Cat watching over them  ..... 
Well done, all concerned  :)
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 12, 2009, 21:23:19 PM
They have Caroline to thank as it was she who wouldn't give up looking.  :briggin:

Mum cat, Callie, has developed a slight case of the trots we are told. Sharn says she's not concerned as she looks so bright and breezy so it must just be the shock of being rescued after a week in an empty house. Callie is also stuffing food in her gob like it's going out of fashion... and why shouldn't she, bless her!  :wow: :evillaugh: Sharn says the kittens have perked up a lot today and seem more active. We think Callie must be at last getting enough food to make enough milk now and Callie does seem a good mum as you can see.  :naughty:

Great picture, Sharon!  :Luv:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on March 12, 2009, 23:15:57 PM
She looks so young and another lovely tortie  ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: JackSpratt on March 13, 2009, 00:12:56 AM
What a stunning girl Callie is. She does seem to have taken to motherhood. :)
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: pappilon on March 13, 2009, 00:47:56 AM
Aww she is beautiful. :Luv: :Luv:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 13, 2009, 11:26:13 AM
Mumsie cat Callie will be seeking her new home in 8 weeks time, folks!  :wow: :evillaugh:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: JackSpratt on March 13, 2009, 11:53:39 AM
Mumsie cat Callie will be seeking her new home in 8 weeks time, folks!  :wow: :evillaugh:

Wish I could apply - I think she's a stunner! Sure she'll get a home quickly.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Gail Bengal Slave on March 13, 2009, 11:56:33 AM
Mumsie cat Callie will be seeking her new home in 8 weeks time, folks!  :wow: :evillaugh:

Momma is stunning girl - those markings  :Luv: :Luv: , she only looks a kitten mum herself poor little lass - but she looks quite content lying in her bed with her babies  :Luv: :Luv: :Luv: mega hugs to them all  :hug: xx
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Beth on March 13, 2009, 12:23:51 PM
Mumsie cat Callie will be seeking her new home in 8 weeks time, folks!  :wow: :evillaugh:

If i was a bit closer i'm not sure i'd be able to resist! :shy: :evillaugh:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Teresa Pawcats on March 13, 2009, 13:31:22 PM
What a picture of pure contentment, Well Done to all concerned.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Millies mum on March 13, 2009, 13:37:18 PM
Mum is soooo pretty and looks very happy well done  :hug:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Christine (Blip) on March 13, 2009, 14:42:31 PM
Just caught up with this.  Good work, Canterbury gang!

Those kittens must have one powerful Guardian Angel

They do.  Her name's Caroline.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: JackSpratt on March 13, 2009, 15:21:54 PM
Hurrah for Caroline. :)
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Mark on April 09, 2009, 19:57:01 PM
I met the mum cat today  :Luv2:

The fosterer (I forget her name) was collecting her when I was collecting Willow - she has been in for a dodgy tum and left with meds amd prokolin.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Debsymiller (Rufus' mum) on April 09, 2009, 20:02:21 PM
Mum cat looks so tiny herself- so pretty and obviously a natural mum. Well done all!  :Luv2:
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on April 09, 2009, 20:59:01 PM
Mum puss Callie may have a problem with her pancreas. She's had the trots for a while not but vet James is trying a new treatment regime.  :shy:

Callie won't be going back to her kittens now as she needs a good rest. The kittens are fine and staying with another fosterer. We recieved these piccies today.
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Janeyk on April 09, 2009, 22:29:26 PM
  :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: they are soooooo sweet

hope mum cat Callie soon is well xx
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 10, 2009, 10:22:42 AM
Aww, fingers crossed for Callie
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Mollyrock on April 10, 2009, 22:10:17 PM
Get well soon Callie  :hug:
Well done evryone involved, i think your all amazing.  :)
Kitties are looking fabby  ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Canterbury_cats (Sharon) on April 17, 2009, 19:38:02 PM
Just an update.. all kittens have found homes (they are going in pairs) and they will be packing their bags early May. Mum is still on meds but doing well.. but not really ready to be spayed yet.

I am chuffed that we managed to rehome 4 blk kittens.. sometimes its abit hard work..

Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Janeyk on April 17, 2009, 20:12:18 PM
Great news and that they are going in pairs even better  ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls on April 18, 2009, 00:34:52 AM
Well done to the little ones  ;D
Title: Re: A close call
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on April 18, 2009, 09:29:55 AM
Glad to hear this, and fingers crossed mum will be fine soon and ready for her new home