Moms & Kittens!

To preface this post, many of the kittens featured here did not survive. We are always devastated when that happens, but it is sadly a part of rescue. We do our very best, but things do not always work out. The only way I can live with this is to believe strongly that each cat knew they were loved.
My wish for the cats that only lived hours or weeks:
May you always find the softest spots and brightest sunbeams for naps, have a river of gravy on everything, get your very own Christmas tree each year to mess around in, and make new kitty friends to frolic, play and snuggle with. And when you dream, have the one where a wonderful couple shows up on your very first day at the shelter and takes you home to start the life you always deserved.

On July 10, 2019, we rescued a tabby mom (below) and her 6 kittens from the shelter.  A handful of us covered the substantial fees to get them released and into foster care. (My own cats agreed to eat bread crumbs and water for a week.) Just look at their freedom photo! Are they not adorbs? Their eyes are full of wonder and anticipation. They do not realize that something awesome just happened. They were sprung.

Tabby with 6 Kittens
Tuxedo with 5 Kittens

In February 2020, this tuxedo mom (left) gave birth to 5 kittens in her shelter cage. She was sick and her kittens were at risk. We were very worried about this family. I donated $200 for their fees and F.U.N pulled them and found a foster mom with bottle feeding experience. I was so thankful. Without a rescue’s early interest in a family, we are sunk. The process is a non-profit rescue, that is also on the shelter’s partner list and in good standing, can pull a cat. Not us. And when kittens are born sick, the shelter does not provide the special care they might need.

Gorgeous Seal Point Mom & Kittens

Would you just look at this gorgeous Siamese babe? 💋 I am no expert in cat breeds, but they told me she is a Seal Point. A couple of her kittens may grow up to look like mom, too. Love me some slinky black ones (my personal fave). The great news is that this mom and her 6 kittens were actually healthy. That does not always happen unless the Cat Gods are aligned. We also had the good fortune to get Nancy Hanks to foster. I covered their shelter fees. They look happier already. 😍 June 9, 2020.

Sick, Trapped Mom

In August 28, 2020, we learned this mom’s kittens were sick. Four of us donated the fees to bail out the family and get rescue and foster commitment. For all 8 of them. And, they all had ringworm!

The back story is that mom was tossed over the shelter fence and was trapped and brought inside where she gave birth. We owed Linda a big box of chocolates on this one. She picked up this family at the shelter and took another kitty, Alice, to the airport for transport, all with a broken foot in a boot. I am in awe of her passion for cats.

Janet’s Three Kittens
Janet, the Mom

In July 2021, I paid the shelter fees to get Janet and her 3 kittens (above) sprung. They arrived at the shelter in mid-May so they lived in cages a long time. It was noisy and cramped, but they were together.  Linda gave them their freedom ride home. That must have been a wonderful trip, full of promise, excitement and dreams of their own homes some day. So satisfying to be a part of the Lancaster Team Supreme.

Look at that tiny one sleeping solo!

In September 2019, we rescued this pretty pastel Calico mom and her 7 kittens. They were being returned by the shelter foster, and we certainly did not want them to spend more time in steel cages. Linda intercepted them and I paid their release fees. They say you can’t save them all, but sometimes we defy all odds. #LancasterTeamSupreme. Yep, that’s us.