Helping Kitties

Early December we received a call from a lady who had been taking care of a feral colony for many years. She had TNR through a rescue years back when grants were available to the residents of Kanawha County, West Virginia. She had moved down into a neighboring city and had been coming back daily to tend to the ferals (apx 10). Her house had been up for sale for 3 years. She ended up selling the property and taking a serious loss but more so than money she was losing the property to tend to the cats.

She reached out to Gargoyles and though we are not in a position to take on a feral colony something in her voice called out in desperation for these felines that never asked to be put in a situation like this. She told me of four kittens, two real young but able to eat some food and two slightly older. She could touch them, even hold them but make no mistake these are feral cats that are fearful of humans other than their caretaker.

Kittens rescued early enough can be 'domesticated' and become exceptional pets. So if nothing else the kittens may be able to be accepted into a rescue, it was worth a try. 

Through a Messenger Group dedicated to helping the animals of West Virginia, made contact with a rescue in Morgantown that would sponsor these kittens - all four of them. Most of the members pay for the vetting, food, and fuel all out of pocket. Together we network, transport, foster, and rescue animals day in and day out. The energy is electrifying everyone always lifting each other up, showing gratitude and offering emotional and physical and financial support. 

The caretaker caught the first two, the younger ones and they stayed with Gargoyles for a few hours in a special Quarantine Crate.

Picture taken in Morgantown

Picture taken in Morgantown

Met the transporter across the river in Big Chimney and these two babies were on their way to the next step in saving lives. They would be housed overnight in a heated basement with two puppies who were on the next morning transport to Morgantown. A complex network that comes together with people who put the welfare of these sweet animals top priority.

The new property owner requested the caretaker to not come back on the property, not in a bad way, but more due to contractors and a dangerous work zone. After a phone conversation with the new property owner Gargoyles received permission to access the property to feed, trap, whatever we needed to do for the feral cats. That was a relief.

There are adults, some very sick and need to be seen by a vet, two that a vet would probably humanely euthanize. Several females in reproduction age, two current mothers of the above mentioned kittens.

This week the cats have been fed by Gargoyles, slowly gaining the trust of the ferals. Today the kittens were captured and extra food put down for the adults, as predicted bad weather may prevent travel up the mountain where they reside.

The kittens are staying the evening with Gargoyles, in the Quarantine Crate - inside - out of the freezing temps that have settled into our area. These are quite a bit more feral than the other younger kittens. The kittens will be fostered by a feral whisperer who will handle, socialize, and help the babies become calm and friendly pets. This process enables the babies to be adopted into loving homes.

Unique marking on the head.