1. I've received my first frantic phone call from a friend who found a tiny feral kitten under a pile of wood.
2. There are more and more pregnant cats, nursing Moms and kittens coming into the shelter.
3. I've already had my first bullshit argument over who-gets-what-kittens at the shelter. It wasn't really an argument - but I'm completely annoyed since there are going to be a zillion kittens at the shelter soon - more than half will die because they are unwanted. Why argue over the first bunch?
4. There are 4 kittens on our rescue site and I have had 10 calls on them. NONE of which were workable adoptions. Everybody wants a "baby kitten".
The worst part of the day is that while I was on the phone helping a friend rescue the 4 week feral guy, our little "Kallie" lost her battle and passed away. I'm not sure what I heard in her foster Mom's voicemail - grief? exhaustion? relief? anger? I don't know...but any of those emotions are appropriate. She worked so hard and it breaks my heart.
Before kitten seasons ends, there will be numerous blogs posts that I will fill with "Grief", "Exhaustion", "Relief" and "Anger".
We had one kittens' passing and another's new beginning. Without the volunteer digging this little man out from under the pile of wood, he would turn out to be just another statistic in the city:
17 comments:
A good chance
Poor little Kallie. At least she, too, had a chance, Beth, the best one possible. I'm so sorry she didn't make it, but it certainly wasn't for any lack re: the foster mom's care.
Here's hoping that "Chance" will be okay. What a sweet little face, such a precious baby.
Beth, it sounds you are having a bummer of a day. I really feel for the foster mom - it is a real bummer for a small kitten to die like that but in all honesty, Kallie is in a better place now without the pain. Chance on the other hand now has a future. Ed
Thank you to all mommies and kitties that prayed for Kalli. Lisa, thank you also for your moral support.
Kalli's last action was to open her great big blue eyes and look at me one last time. She is now with God. Could it be she knew that another kitty needed a "chance"?
Kitten season has got to be the most stressful and upsetting time of year for anyone involved in cat rescue! So I can only imagine all that will be going on over the next few months. I'm just happy you are there as a resource for the homeless kittens and cats in your area. So many of them would have NO chance without you and your fosters.
I'm so very sorry to hear about Kallie. To Kallie's Foster Mom, my heart goes out to you, though I know it won't lessen your pain.
Chance is a great name for the cute little guy.
We had over 30 kittens arrive at our shelter yesterday, I'd say kitten season has begun.
Hooray for that little guy, what a sweet face!
And so kitten season begins. I will pray that you stay strong throughout the tough time ahead. You're the best, you know. Hugs, Deb=^..^=z5
Chance is a real cutie, paws crossed he and all the other kittens find loving homes.
Beth, what was the problem with poor baby Kallie?
PeeWee: Poor little angel had a URI that she couldn't fight off. The rest of the kittens did beautifully - Mom too.
Thanks for the info Beth. I'm so glad that the rest of the kittens and their Mom are doing well. Will they soon be available for adoption?
A
The volunteer should keep an eye out for the mom cat so that she can be spayed and returned (if she is feral), to prevent more kittens being born at this location. Without spaying her, rescuing this adorable little guy won't have the same impact. Good job on saving him at an age where he can be socialized!
as someone who has lost that fight, I'm sure her voice had all of those emotions in it. No need to qualify it as just one emotion, loss in rescue is filled with many.
Kitten season started up here too. Boggles my mind since the snow isn't even gone, but yet 60 days ago these kitties were getting frisky.
and as for those who squabble over kittens, I'm so right there with you. Same with those who line up to adopt pets with stories (rescued from a fire, found abandoned and half dead and made the news) but won't adopt any other pets if they can't have the "famous" one..
Hi Beth, I stumbled across your blog today and I'm so glad that I did! It's inspirational to read (I have been peeking through the archives too!) I'm very new to the world of cat rescuing, but I own two adopted cats and have just begun to foster another one (as a very nervous foster mom.)
Thank you for sharing your experiences. You are an incredible person.
Elle: Welcome!! (and thank you!)
Little Chance has the most gorgeous blue eyes! Kudos to Kali's foster Mom for adding another kitten to her brood. Hopefully the wood pile Mom can be TNRd.
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