Kittens!!!

Shortly after  I turned in my two little fluff ball fosters, they asked me to take a new batch of 3 kittens.  These guys were already spayed and neutered but hadn't been socialized and were terrified of people so they couldn't go out for adoption quite yet. These guys are the "Beer Kittens"and were some of the most timid and scared kittens I've ever fostered. I was warned to  keep them in a small space and hold them and pet them as much as I possibly could so they would get socialized.

Duvel and the back of Grolsh

Holding scared kittens is tough on your heart.  They would tremble and cower and just hope I would disappear.  These guys were so scared, they figured out how to get behind the toilet which has a space of less than 2".  I started to block off their kennel and took away hiding spots.  I did leave a soda box for them but cut big holes so they couldn't hide very well.

Duvel and Kwak

Socializing these kittens was no easy task.  I spent countless hours in the bathroom talking (so they get used to voices) and holding and petting.  I tried to go in there 3-4 times a day to just sit and pet and hold them. Each session was about an hour or longer.  But slowly and surely I made progress.  Duvel is a beautiful kitten but was the most scared. After almost 2 weeks, she purred and enjoyed her pets. Grolsh was the most tame and only took a few days to be one of the most loving cats I know.  She loved to snuggle and came to me for loves.  Kwak was doing pretty good socializing but then I noticed a pussy sore on his....groin.  It was the weekend so no vet was at Best Friends.  So I had to take his  temperature and put warm compresses on it.  He didn't enjoy this at all and got scared of me again.  I can't blame him.  By Monday, I was able to take him to see the vet. Crisis adverted because his sore was looking much better.  I took Duvel with me because she was sneezing.  The vet decided they all needed antibiotics.  That they probably picked something up while getting fixed.  Not a bad idea to treat them and I had to keep them another week until they were done with meds.  Which gave me more time to work with them.

I'm proud to say, they did really well.  Duvel now comes for loves and doesn't hide anymore. Kwak is scared at first but then comes around and loves to be pet like a panther on his side.  All 3 purr when touched which is great for adoptions.  Although these guys had a rough start, they sure came around and I fell in love with all 3.  But I gathered my strength and turned them all back in.  There are literally 40 kittens waiting to have a chance to be fostered.  I helped these guys with the skills to find their forever home and that is good.

Duvel and Kwak on my lap.

Grolsh likes to be closer.  She wants the star spot by my neck

Playing with the string toy.  They all enjoyed it.
These guys will be great mousers if given the chance.

Kwak and Duvel lounging.  Look how big they got already!
Love Duvel's pink shaved belly!  Very kissable.

Grolsh loves louunging on the toilet.  It is cool and she can survey
her surroundings.  I fell in love with her and could have adopted her in a heartbeat!
I love the little ring of light color on  her side.  And she is super soft.

I've started being called the "Cat Lady".  It really had a negative feel to it but seriously I guess I am a cat lady.  The more I work with them, the more concerned I become with overall cat welfare. I  love what Best Friends is doing and I am so glad I can be a part of the process to save as many lives as possible.  This group rounded out my 20th foster since I started fostering.  I get the feeling I will go way past that this summer.  Please please spay or neuter your pets, your neighbors pets, and any pet you find that is running around.  A momma cat will result in 200 kittens during a year.