Author Topic: kittens (Read 3891 times)

Val · « **on:** July 19, 2005, 15:40:06 »

an internet buddy has found 2 kittens...abandoned by their mum, in her garden. At the moment she is feeding them, but can't have them in the house. She doesn't want to leave them outside in the winter and apparently in her area, they've been making appeals for homes for cats and dogs so have a surplus. Any ideas what she can do? I've said to put a notice up in the vets, any other thoughts? Thanks. Val. BTW she is near the borders..Hadrians Wall area or thereabouts.

Here they are.

Tulipa · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2005, 16:10:04 »

Would someone take them if she put that photo in the local paper, they look so lovely. People are often looking for kittens rather than fully grown cats so it may be easier to find them a home. We only went for one kitten but ended up with two! Sadly one has been missing for four weeks now but we haven't given up hope that he will return. Or he has found someone who feeds him chicken and salmon so has decided to stay! We can hope that it is a good story whatever has happened to him. Getting the other one microchipped tonight!

Val · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2005, 17:11:21 »

Thanks Tulippa I'll pass the message on, I hope all is well with your little one.

ivanhoe · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2005, 17:31:37 »

Just bought my two kittens.
we had a hell of job finding any in are Area in the end we were lucky to find them in a pet shop.
years ago you could get a kitten for nothink.
know there like gold dust.
wish you luck with getting them good homes
ivan

Marianne · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2005, 20:38:22 »

Hiya Val :D

I would be tempted to put a sign and photo up at all the local vets and pet shops. They look adorable and someone, somewhere, will want to give them a good home.

I wish her lots of luck !
Please do let us know how they get on :D ;D

Heldi · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2005, 22:27:03 »

Oh bother I shouldn't have looked at this. I'm very tempted and I'm in Northumberland. I've often fancied a "hearing " cat to be pals with my Spook and a black one was on the list. Spook being brilliant white and all that. (When he hasn't been sitting under a car). My problem is my OH. I would have to pretend a kitten happened to turn up one day or I had found it or something.

Val · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2005, 10:34:53 »

Thanks folks..yes Marianne I'll keep you all posted...I'm glad I'm not near ...even with the dog I'd be tempted and I'm allergic ..sneezes and itching, to them.

Val · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2005, 14:27:06 »

Here's an update on the kitts.

Hi Val, I've just this morning taken a photo and details of them into the post office, so will have to see if I get a response. Any real cat lovers can't fail to be moved. As I sit here I know exactly where they'll be, huddled in the coal bunker on top of the coal, 'cause its raining. When I lift the lid, you can only see a pair of eyes for the black one. They do get out round the garden though, I noticed last night the black and white one had cleavers in its fur, so although they are still timid they're adventurous. (have to confess we're calling them Bill and Ben now. even hubby) Susan

I'll let you know how things go.

Gadfium · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2005, 03:59:25 »

If you want a charity to look after them, then you could try the local Cats Protection League, or PARRT (or is it PART?) - this might be a good idea, because vet bills for the immediate future for kittens can be hefty, if you are not actually keeping them... and I think this pair are going to need some professional help in the near future...

I've hand-reared more than a few orphaned kittens; from your picture, the eyes of the b&w kitten are showing signs of ill-health - could be third-eyelid related, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, cat flu, feline leukaemia... but they definitely shouldn't be like that in a healthy kitten; and is that a clear discharge from both eyes, as well as the swollen third eyelid?

Normally all kittens should be blood tested for the main nasties of cat flu & leukaemia before being homed... and they should be wormed (Panacur to start with, and then, later, when old enough, Drontal) because they can receive a hefty parasite burden direct from the mother. Plus, the longer the kittens remain outside, unvaccinated, the higher their likelihood of contracting either cat flu or leukaemia - there is no cure for feline leukaemia, and cat flu is no picnic either. Which is why, under ideal circumstances, kittens shouldn't be let one paw outside the front door until both sets of vaccinations have been completed. And 'outdoor' cats, as a population are naturally more likely to either be carriers or sufferers of the two main killer diseases.

Also, there is a critical socialisation period, and if this is missed, then there can often be extreme difficulty in gaining the trust of the animals - they can be wary of people for evermore, and successful homing is then much more problematical.

Sorry if I'm throwing a spanner in the works - but I've seen a fair few poorly kittens/abandoned kittens/orphaned kittens... and this delightful duo need a vet ASAP (general health check, specific eye checks + antibiotics/steroids/ointments/blood tests/worming/de-fleaing with a suitable kitten compound), and substantial human contact & TLC to have a good chance.

Val · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:43:26 »

I've copied your post out and printed it on the other forum, hope you don't mind. It does sound worrying, lets hope something can be done with the poor little mites.

Gadfium · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2005, 12:24:06 »

Of course I don't mind. :)

You can contact the Cat Protection League through the local branches via http://www.cats.org.uk/html/index.php?sect_id=56#northyorkshire

PARRT via http://parrt.thecreativecake.net/

RSPCA via the phone book

And this directory lists the main options in an area... http://www.catchat.org/adoption/nthumb.html

And the local vet practice should be able to offer more specific alternatives - most areas have a small group or two dedicated to this type of problem.

All of them should be able to give your friend advice re: what's the best next step.

Keep in mind though, that this is peak kittening season, and many animal charities may be struggling to cope with the massive influx, so if your friend decides the best recourse is to hand them over, it may take a little while to find a place. Some areas of the country do suffer a 'kitten shortage' but the North-East is not one of them!

An ideal short-term option many smaller charities try for, is to find a temporary 'foster home' where the kittens can be placed for some intensive TLC and socialisation... and it can be astonishing how quickly some of them change from hissing, snarling, frightened bundles - into playful well-rounded young animals suitable for homing.

:)

Merlins Mum · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2005, 22:16:53 »

Hi Val
Sometimes the various charities (RSPCA, Cats Protection and Blue Cross) have a waiting list if they are full. Then when they have a vacancy they will let you know, or keep ringing them.
Also agree it's a very good idea to put photos up at the local vets.
Hope it's not long before they find homes, bless them
MM

Jill · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2005, 22:26:26 »

Hi Val. We got our two from the Canterbury Cat Society who are very experienced at taking in and finding homes for unwanted cats. Send me a PM if you'd like their number. They do look adorable.

Val · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2005, 12:07:45 »

Thanks everyone, I'll let Susan know. Jill she isn't local, she's up north, I'd be very tempted to take them in myself if I thought it would save their lives, so its just as well they are that far away.so I'm not sure if a Canterbury society would be an option. I'm going on that forum later so I'll see what the update is and pass on your messages. Thanks bless you all for your help.

Val · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2005, 09:14:15 »

An update on the kitts.

The lady from the CPL says they're probably feral, if not by birth, they are now. Tail length (4") suggests they're over 8 weeks. Kitten eye colour changes around 6 weeks from blue to green ( and I think they're green).
She offered to arrange to have them seen by a vet but CP is too far away to deal with them themselves. If vet says they're ok, vet will treat their eyes, neuter them at 6 month and leave them to live their outdoor life. She says these type of cats are difficult to tame sufficiently enough to rehome. She, in her early days, has tamed them herself, but only tame with her, so swelling her numbers to 20 at times.
There was also a proviso that if they are found to be carrying FIV(feline aids) or FeLV(feline leukemia) then the kindest thing is to have them put to sleep.
I'm grateful for the swift response from CPL but I've just been out to feed them with tears in my eyes. Hope this has a happy ending that I can pass on to all who are interested.

Thanks Val for your help. I'm not as clever as you transferring an email on to the board. But I've tried to keep the above short. Haven't had a reply from PARRT.
Hopefully, the next time I post I can feel a little more optimistic.
Susan

Thanks everyone for your help, I've only passed on the messages but at least they are getting looked at and their health taken care of.Thanks to you Gadfium. MM and everyone for your help.

Marianne · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2005, 19:31:55 »

Hiya Val :D Well that is some sort of good news - Let us hope the little ones do not have the feline aids. It's just a shame they cannot be rehomed and I wonder how they will manage in winter when it is snowing and it is freezing outside. Who will feed them ??? Had I been closer, I would have probably wanted to adopt them although OH is not keen on cats and it would have been a problem with the doggies we take in. Hopefully all will turn out right for them ! Best wishes :D :)

Val · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2005, 09:12:43 »

Hi Marianne. Well a lot of cats do live outside. I've asked her if she could provide shelter outdoors for them. Susan is feeding them now anyway so lets hope everything turns out okay for them. I'll let you know the final outcome when I know. Thanks for your concern, it helps if you can share these things. Val.

Val · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2005, 11:12:19 »

I got in touch with a small local charity which I found through the Catchat website. A very nice lady, Geraldine, came this afternoon and we managed to get the black one into a basket, but the black and white one (surprisingly) was off like a shot (new face I guess). Anyway, Geraldine is coming back tomorrow and hopefully we'll have b&w one in a basket, using the trap if necessary. Geraldine didn't think there was much wrong with them and has a home waiting for them (both together)in Hexhamshire (which is lovely quiet countryside) after they have been to the vets. She says she will keep me informed what happens to them. They've gained the nicknames Sooty and Sweep now!
Sweep was back sitting on the wall tonight at 7.30, so she'll be joining her sibling shortly.
The other reason I don't want cats here is the main road. For all we have quite a large garden (1/4 acre) we are beside a busy road, and I would fear for their safety.
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed, but happy ending in sight!

This message is from Susan, she also says to thank you all. Looks like a good ending...sighs of relief all round.

Marianne · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2005, 20:24:43 »

Oh Val, this is lovely news for Sooty and Sweep! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I think all of our positive thoughts went into finding these two little ones a nice warm home,
What a nice ending !!

;D ;D ;D ;D

Gadfium · « **Reply #19 on:** July 27, 2005, 00:57:39 »

I do like a happy ending...

:)

Thanks for keeping us in touch with the action!

News:

Author Topic: kittens (Read 3891 times)