Last year Ruff-Spots helped us spay Betty the Barn cat. Betty had 3 litters of kittens before being able to be handled for transport as the cat was in Springdale. Betty had to be trapped before the vet closed the day before in order to confirm we were able to keep the appointment. The man who owned the barn did not want to see Betty put to sleep and offerred her refuge in his barn. Unfortunately, there was 1 kitten from the first litter that simply could not be trapped. We were hoping it was a male and would not get pregnant, but even still we were intent on nabbing this cat too and getting it fixed but the cat would never let anyone close enough. This cat would disappear for a period of time.
Well as you can see, I’m guessing she remembered how safe it was at the barn and decided to return to have KITTENS. Oddly enough she also seems to have changed her disposition. My friend Helen, who is a member in Springdale, says she can’t believe the change in this cat who hisses at her but doesn’t hiss at the man who owns the barn. However, poor Betty seems to be watching from outside the barn mostly now. It is almost like she knows her baby needs the same help she was given.
Anyhow, they have set up a extra large kennel in the barn with litter pan the works, particularly as one of the kittens had fallen through the beams and the man had to rip out 5 or 6 boards to retrieve the kitten, none the worse for wear. Momma cat allows him to handle the kittens, Helen too. Our hope is to be able to get Momma to the point she can be overnighted at Helens and spayed and overnighted again for recovery. We will also have to get her FEL/FV tested to feel comfortable about taking in the kittens … 5 of them. Momma with go back to the barn with her mother and Helen has agreed to take on a life time of watching over them. We are anticipating getting her spayed mid- August and we are hoping that Ruff-Spots will sponsor her spay, we’ll pick up any of the other costs as we did with Betty.
IF you happen to know of anyone who can help foster the kittens and help them find homes we really need help there too. I’m going to be away just at the time when they are due to come in. Although we know they can go to the shelter, knowing the shelter is always full and this poor cat’s mother lossed all but her because her kittens were all too wild and they had no where to go … we want to be able to go the extra mile to help them … plus JUST LOOK AT THEM. We are certainly opened to finding a home for the Momma too, she is a beauty.
Hope you can help, even a little.
RUFF-SPOTS SPAYED Momma Cat
August 2008
Filed under: Success Stories
I’m happy to report a update on Fancy and her babies (will send photos later). We had Fancy tested for FIV/FL (whahoo negative) she was spayed, fostered for 10 days for recovery (she wasn’t too happy about that). Fancy has been released back to the barn and is happy and contented again.
We took in the babies, 5 of them … 2 girls and 3 boys. They were only 5 weeks old, but we wanted Fancy spayed and the kittens were eating and using the litter box and of course we don’t releash kittens or puppies until they are 8-10 weeks as we feel it is important in their development to stay with their siblings. All the kittens went to the Exploits Valley Animal Hospital for a check up and were tested for FIV/FL, been dewormed. Deliah found a home first, then Rudy and Spot picked 2 young boys and we were delighted as they were being fostered in a home with a 4 year old so we know Rudy especially was great with kids and loved being with them,. The people came to adopt Sprite but went home with Rudy and Spot … amazing how their personality charmed them. Chloe continues her work as a 4 year old foster care provider helping the kittens become the best cats.
All these cats actually are being adopted with spay/neuters being sponsored by Central Paws … mostly because they are all due to be fixed just before Christmas. We already have 2 being sponsored through donation so we are hoping people will donate to help us with the other kittens too.
We do still have Lilly and Sprite left looking for good homes. Their adoption fee is $75 but they come with a promise of spay, clean bill of health, litter box, food samples, microchip and ID tag, collars. Anyone interested in adopting a second kitten (twice the fun) can adopt it for $1.00.
We thank Ruff Spots for their hard work at raising money so we can help animals like Betty and Fancy as we rely on donations to do what we do. There are so many many animals that need help and that is sad. We are grateful for the supporters who do help!!!