Kitten Season!

Did you know kittens have a season? 

While it is not a true season, it is the time of year that the majority of kittens are born.

Cosette

Biker Bunch Foster Kittens

It usually runs between mid to late spring and early to mid fall. I observed this first hand when I was working full time at the shelter. When I started in the winter, there were not many kittens there. But by early summer, the kitten room was overflowing into the lobby, there were kittens in almost all the foster homes and our intake room seemed to be bursting.

Female cats (or queens) are polyestrous, meaning they have several heat cycles in a year. While this means  they can have kittens any time of the year, they do not go into heat when the temperature is too cold. But weather fluctuates and there are exceptions to kitten season.

Pedro

Carmilla, Selene & St. Germaine

A little over two months after a warm snap in the middle of the winter during the second year I was working at the shelter, we had an influx of kittens being brought in. One with a frost bitten tail that half came off and another with frost bitten ears that lost their tips. Sadly, some of them did not make it.

Link

Since my bestie and I foster for a shelter, my house has seen many kittens coming through during kitten season. While they're adorable and exciting to have around, they're also a lot of work. Along with growing and socializing, they often need medications, have behavioral issues to work on, are messy, get into trouble and frequently manage to escape from whatever room they're in. The most heartbreaking part of fostering is when one of our little ones die.

Mugsy

Many times, when kittens are brought in without their mama, they are too young to be weened. Bottle feeding does not build their immune system like mama's milk does and they quite easily become sick and sometimes die. Some who come in with the mama have trouble adjusting to the new environment. Others, are just not strong enough.

This is why getting cats spayed and neutered is so very important. Many shelters and vets will have times when the offer special rates on spaying and neutering pets. I support organizations like Triple R Pets that have TNR (Trap Neuter and Return) programs to help keep the feral cat population from continuing to grow.

Foster Kittens in a basket!

   
Reference links:

     What to do and not do if you find a newborn kitten
     Cats in heat

     Low cost veterinary care
     Triple R Pets

A Couple of Pawrific Pals!

Louie & Bentley

I have some amazing clients and Louie and Bentley's parents are among the best. Not only have they given a wonderful home to two dogs of such varying size, a Pug and a Husky,  but the Pug, Bentley, is a special needs dog. Due to spinal problems, Bentley has partial paralysis in his rear legs. He does a good job of scooting around and even getting his legs to cooperate with him at times. But he cannot manage stairs and has to be carried. He sometimes has accidents too, but his parents make it so easy to clean up after him. 

Bentley & his wheels

My visits with these two are always so much fun! We run (or in Bentley's case, shuffle-slide) around the yard playing with toys and sticks. Louie and I also chase each other around the yard being super silly. They live across from a grocery store and Bentley likes to announce himself to everyone coming in and out. People passing by the yard will comment on how cute, good and adorable they are. I couldn't agree more. 

Louie lovin' the snow!

Not too long ago, they got wheels for Bentley. You should see this kid! He's a speedster! He zooms around the yard as if he were born with wheels. His parents say that with his wheels on, he's more like his younger self. He even tries to bully his brother Louie about, chasing him and nipping at his ankles. Fortunately, Louie seems to think it's a game. He jumps around, runs off then runs right back at Bentley play bowing and wagging his tail. Sometimes, when Louie's bouncing back and forth and Bentley's barking, I'm convinced I can hear Louie snickering.

"I got it!"

In the winter, Louie is more in his element. He would love to stay outside frolicking in the snow all day long! Bentley just likes being outside, but I have to remember that he has a much thinner coat and isn't made for a winter wonderland. This is where treats come in handy. I'll get Bentley inside with just mentioning treats. I then take a treat out to Louie and lure him with his nose. If he's being particularly stubborn, I'll put a bit of peanut butter on it and he'll come following right away. 

"Is that treat for me?"

 Yay treats!

Preparing the Kitty for Moving

One of our clients is soon to be moving with their cat. They asked me for advice about what they should do to prepare their kitty for the move and what type of cat carrier I would recommend for a cat who is not fond of travel. So, along with a link to the ASPCA's Car Travel Tips, this is what I suggested.

I would highly recommend a carrier that has a top door and to get one bigger than what the cat needs so there is space to move around. Have the carrier out in the house and open for a few days (weeks if possible) before the move. That way when the day of the trip arrives, the kitty won't run and hide as soon as it comes out. The reason for leaving it open is so that kitty can leisurely investigate it. Put some treats or food in there so there will be a nice yummy surprise which will give the carrier positive association. Also, put comfy blankets or a kitty bed that the kitty already uses in there. That way it smells like the kitty and it is available for a nap which will add more positive association with the carrier. 

During the time the carrier is just sitting out, check it frequently to make sure kitty hasn't left any "presents" in it. If there is pee or poop in it, clean all of the smell out of it. (Most cats won't, this is just a precaution.) 

On the day of the move, the kitty will sense the nervous anxiety that moving often brings with it. Try to stay as calm and upbeat as possible with kitty. If kitty likes to play, I suggest playing with kitty for as long as possible before the kitty goes in the carrier. A tired kitty will always be easier to move. Doing it the day of the move may not be possible, but even a good play session the evening before will be helpful.

So much kitty love!

Kari & Asia enjoying a sunbeam

A few months ago, I had the privilege of helping to care for two  wonderful felines, Kari and Asia. I'd met their mom  through a friend and she contacted me. Miss Kari Cat, a small Bengal, had to have her back right leg surgically removed. The kitties' mama warned me that Asia, Kari's older brother, didn't always like new people. She was nervous about the after care and someone coming in to take care of her furry kids almost as much as she was nervous about the surgery itself. So we set up a meet and greet to see how the kitties reacted to me before the care was needed.

My buddy Asia

Kari, ever the social butterfly, came right up to me. We exchanged pets for purrs and we were fast friends. Asia was aloof; sitting in the other room just watching me.
"He might hiss," his mom warned.
I nodded and told her about some of the other kitties I help with. After I'd been there for a bit so he could get used to my presence, I approached Asia cautiously. I knelt near him and held out my hand. He sniffed for a few seconds, then rubbed his face against my hand. We were going to be just fine!

For our first several visits, Kari was being kept in a crate so she and Asia didn't roughhouse while they were alone. My main job was to get Kari out of the crate and walking around safely. I also spent time giving attention to Asia. They both got lots of pets and love and treats and I took tons of pictures to send to their momma while she was at work.

Three legged kitty in the window

Asia let me pet his belly!

Miss Kari's speed of recovery was remarkable! She was soon zipping around on her three legs like shed been doing it her whole life. Asia started greeting me at the door and even let me pet his belly. His mom told me he was more relaxed than he'd been since they had moved a few years ago.

I really fell in love with these two kids! Our last visit was a sad day. But there was happiness on the horizon because while I'd been getting to know them, I'd also been getting to know their mom and dad better and we've become friends. Their mom updates me on how their doing quite regularly and I even get to go by and visit the whole family.

Hooray for new human and feline friends!

Pirate Kari!

A Bit of Introspection...

Sorry I have been absent.

It's been tough to face this blog since my last post was about Socko and I miss him and every time I read that post I cry. There's a part of me that tells me to get over it, but I have no desire to ever get over it. He was an amazing dog. Pets like him are the reason I believe so strongly in saving animals and why I help others care for their animals and foster. There is so much more that I want to do too!

Soon I will be posting about two awesome kitties and their amazing parents. Stay tuned!