The good, the bad, and the ranty....

I told myself when I chose to start blogging, that I wasn't going to be one of those bloggers who has these huge rants.    Unfortunately, I don't think that I'm going to be able to sustain my original intentions.   There's just some things that you see in rescue that are rant-worthy, even if you aren't normally a ranter....   But I digress, and will try to keep is less rant-y and more blog-y...

Feral mom with her kittens.  Not too thrilled with the phone in my hands

First off, great news, FINTAN FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME!  Apparently, his adopters were originally looking for a tabby, but Fintan being who he is (ab-so-freakin-lutely adorable!), he stole their hearts and snagged himself a family.  Good on ya, little buddy!


Things are progressing with the other cats... Mama Feral (we ARE working on names, I promise) is still coming along slowly, although I see progress every day.  Her kittens are doing well, I finally got a few horribly lit quick pictures (mom is TERRIFIED of my phone/camera so I try not to stress her with it).
Dawn and Dusk are moving quickly (as I thought they would).  They are starting to allow brief contact and are very curious.  They love to play and have easily engaged.  Duck adores them and comes in often to groom and play with them.  Trouble is still recovering from a booboo on her eyelids, but still manages to play with them around her cone.

Babies relaxing while mom eats.  The little black runt is so cute!!

Bianca is now spayed and ready to go to her forever home in a few days. 

Here comes the rant part, but it's starts with a bit of a story..   I think I've mentioned before this lovely family in Hamilton who helps the neighbourhood strays.  When she finds cats or kittens who have been dumped, she calls me, because she knows that generally, I can help her get them into the hands of a rescue and help.  This lady and her family are fantastic, and have helped us to keep numerous cats out of the hands of animal control.  She got in touch with me at the end of last week to let me know about a stray cat she saw going through her area, and it seemed the mom had kittens.  Mom was in rough shape, but she managed to get her into the house by grabbing the kittens and mom followed.  I said I would ask around and see who had space to take them, and if she could hang onto them for a little while until I had a placement.  She agreed, and I began my search.  Of course, my first go-to is Lori, but at that moment, we were really full, so my next go to is the wonderful Karen from Ninth Life Cat Rescue.  Her and Lori have worked together to get families placed, and in rescue, it's always about the animals.. once it becomes about ego or partisanship, the only ones to really suffer are the animals.  Karen agreed to take the family, but needed a few days to get her current cats shuffled around to accommodate.  That was fine, I knew the family was safe, so I was pleased.

Mom and babies enjoying a nice meal.

End of the week came, and I went to see the Hamilton Hero family to pick up mom and babies.  I was greeted at the door by the sweetest little black and white baby...  soon to be followed by the whole brood.  Mom followed close behind.  My very first thought when I saw her was awe.  She's easily one of the most stunning cats I've ever seen for markings and coloring.  My second though was Oh wow, this poor girl is in rough shape.   She was basically a skeleton with fur, and I knew in that moment if my HH family had not taken her in when they did, she would have been dead and her kittens probably soon to follow, especially considering that this is an area extremely bad for dumped and abandoned cats, and trappings happen there regularly.  A good deal of the trap cats at HAC, in fact.  I got the family packed up, thanked the wonderful lady again for helping us and being patient and went along my way.

Dinner's even better when you sit in the dish!!

It turned out I needed to keep the family for a few days to allow the wonderful Ninth Life people to deal with their shuffles, but that was ok for me.  It's not often I actually get "undamaged" cats on a social level to enjoy.  And this little family is NOTHING but enjoyment.  The kittens are adorable, mom is a love (as well as stunning, have I mentioned that yet?), and all are in dire need of some serious food and care.  No problem, my pleasure.  As I got the family settled into their temporary digs, I got really really angry.  I just couldn't (and still can't) imagine how ANYONE could dump or abandon such an incredible little cat!?   WHO DOES THAT?  I do understand that it can be difficult when renting, but people really need to make themselves aware of what the laws are.  Last I was aware, the laws in this province don't LEGALLY allow a landlord to deny a person to have a pet.  Yes, they may discriminate when you make an application if you mention you have pets, but the reality is they CANNOT PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING THEM, except under special circumstances outlined in the Landlord and Tenant act.    Don't believe me, look it up!  And these days, with a TON of low cost spay and neuter programs, there is NO EXCUSE not to have your pets spayed or neutered!!!  A simple Google search can help you find one in your area! The vast majority of these dumped or abandoned cats were not fixed, and are in turn adding to the feral populations, which feeds into the circle.  Rescues do all we can, but unless people take responsibility, there is no way any group can keep up.  They are outside, half starved, subjected to the elements, kids and even adults harassing or abusing them, sometimes ending up trapped (and traumatized) and in animal control, marked for death.  Or even worse, dying by a wild animal bite, of wounds from fighting, from rampant illness, or car tires.  There are a lot of dangers out there for a cat.

Two cuties in need of an after-dinner bath!

A PET IS FOR LIFE!!  Sure, there are some circumstances that would require someone to re-home a pet.  That is for sure.  But when you assume responsibility for an animal, it means that if you can't keep them, you have to be responsible to find them a GOOD PLACE TO BE!  Rescues are a good place to start, even if they can't take them, they can often help you find one who can.  The vast majority of rescues have very strict guidelines and standards regarding who adopts the animals, not to mention, they will vet them if needed.   If you had to give up your child, due to circumstances beyond your control, would you not want to ensure that they went somewhere that loved them as much as you did?  The fact that people can be so vile, so petty, so irresponsible with another life, a life that loves them and depends on them, just absolutely baffles my mind.  Maybe it's a lack of education.  Maybe it's a statement about the general direction of society.  I don't  know, and I don't care.  But the work we do would probably not be necessary or as overwhelming if people just stepped up to the plate and did what was right by their animals.  A cat or a dog is not a stuffed toy to be dumped off at the second hand store when you're done with them.  They are a commitment, just like marriage, just like having children, and if you aren't willing to commit to them, don't do it!  Walk right past the "adopt a kitten" sign and carry on with your life.

This is how skinny Mom is when she stands up.  

Perhaps that may seem a bit stern, or harsh, but myself, and the other people I know in rescue have to clean up after the leavings of irresponsible people every day.  The plight of this one gorgeous mom and her kittens is a testament to that, but in reality, it never should have had to come to this.  She never should have been dropped outside to fend for herself, have kittens and try to survive in a harsh world of man.  I am only incredibly grateful for the wonderful rescue people and groups that work to give these cats another chance at happy, safe lives.  Thank you to Karen at Ninth Life and all her people for being part of the next steps in their journey to that life.  Thank you Lori for helping out (co-ordination wise) and caring.   These people are truly heroes, and the lives they touch with their efforts, the cats and the families that take them into their homes and hearts, would never be the same (or would have ended tragically) without their efforts.


If you are committed to give one of these wonderful cats a loving home, and enrich your life beyond measure, please consider adopting through a rescue. The lovely mom and her kittens will be available for adoption through Ninth Life Cat Rescue.   The people there are fantastic, and they will make sure that they are all healthy and happy when they are ready for their new homes.  They have a bit of a journey to get there, but I know they are in the right hands.

Stunning mom and her coat of many colors and patterns.

Mom and her brood resting with full tummies!

There are also wonderful cats and kittens available through the rescue I foster with, Neveah's Charity of West Lincoln.  Many of these cats are rehabilitated from abuse or neglect, or rescued from sure death marked as ferals.  They have lots of love to give!   And if you can't adopt, or just aren't ready to take the plunge, please consider donating to these rescues.  They go to any lengths to get cats healthy, but vets aren't cheap, and even $5 is $5 more than they had before, and may make the difference in the health of a cat.

If you're still reading by this time, thanks! :)