ADOPTED: SLATE

It's was no big surprise that Slate was adopted as she was the most affectionate foster kitty that we've ever had.  The gorgeous couple that adopted her, Josh and Justine, had a kitty at home that Slate would buddy up with.  Justine said that she'd always had black cats, but was disheartened to see all the black cats that were available for adoption on the *VOKRA website.  It's a definite reality that black cats are the last to be adopted simply because of the color of their coats.

I just need to add more pictures of how cuddly and loving these kittens are on their profiles, and maybe a video or two of them jumping into my arms when they want some lovin' !!

ADOPTED!  Slate - Dec. 7, 2014

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

AFFECTIONATE KITTIES

I've read that black cats are more affectionate and loving than all other cats.  I would think that this may have been from years (if not centuries) of black cats being vilified.  It would make sense that only the most cuddly and affectionate black cats were spared from being left out on the streets to fend for themselves or harmed in any way simply due to the color of their coats.

I have fostered four batches of kittens to date and this batch of black kittens are definitely the most loving and cuddly of all the kittens that I have fostered.  It really is a shame that people do not look past their coloring to see the sweet little personalities that each of these kittens have.

First night with Slate and already wanting to be cuddled

They are still impossible to tell apart, so the identification tags definitely come in handy!

The Three Musketeers

Ebonie being funny by photo bombing my shot with Kole.

My bad ... did I just ruin your picture?

Slate is definitely the photogenic kitten in this batch.  She sits so still and looks directly into the camera.  So damn adorable!

Aren`t I pretty?!

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

BATCH #4

It looks like the midnight express has rolled into our house tonight.  We picked up a batch of 10-week old kittens from *VOKRA (3 siblings: 2 girls and 1 boy) and they are all identical in coloring - black as night.  To tell them apart, I made up little mother-of-pearl discs with their names on them.  I've named the two females Slate and Ebonie, while the male is named Kole.

Slate has proven to be the more social and cuddly of the three kittens.  She pretty much jumped into my lap and came up to my face for some cuddles when I opened up the kennel.  Ebonie is quite shy and tends to feel more comfortable relaxing inside the kennel.  Kole, being the typical boy, loves to play with his toys and race around the bathroom.

It was impossible for me to get a picture of all three of them together, but since they all look exactly the same, I'll just post a picture of Slate (who was sweet enough to sit pretty for this picture).

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

SOMETIMES LIFE IS JUST NOT FAIR

My two new foster cats have been dealt an unfair blow.  Their owner had to surrender them to *VOKRA because she has terminal cancer and was given only 3 more months to live.  Although these cats may have been like children to her, unlike actual children, people do not usually designate guardians for their cats once they are gone.  That's why organizations like *VOKRA are so important to kitties.

Prior to picking up the two female cats, I was told that one cat was extremely overweight.  Boy is she ever!  At almost 18 pounds, she is definitely the heaviest cat that I've ever had to foster.  And the funny thing is, her name is "Minny".

Minny and her wide hips!

It's all about the angle!  Minny looking like a regular sized cat

The other cat, named Chloe, has striking ice-blue eyes and a beautifully colored coat.  She's a Siamese/Tabby mix and loves to be pet.  I'm not sure whether she's a cuddler, but I'll give her a few days to warm up to me and see what happens.

I see you!

Chillin' on my cushion

A full body shot of Chloe

I've never fostered just cats before ... only kittens and their mommies, so let's see how this round of fostering goes.  I'm hoping for a quick adoption for Chloe as she's pretty much ready to go.  We'll have to get Minny on a weight-loss regime, but how do you get a cat to lose weight?!?  You can't starve a cat as that would stir up other problems.  Hmmm ... is there such a thing as kitty calisthenics?

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

CALENDAR WORTHY PHOTO

The photographer/organizer of the *VOKRA 2015 calendar has just advised me that one of my photos will be featured as "Miss May" in their upcoming calendar.  My picture of Arthurelli napping atop his mommy Stacey made it into the month of May (Mother's Day month).

I should actually give my husband half the credit for getting this picture taken as he was the one that alerted me to the cuteness that was this little kitteh nestling in for a nap on his mommy's back.

I'm also advised that I get a free copy of the calendar, which I would have happily purchased because you know I'm going to be bragging all about my awesome picture!

What mommies have to endure to make their babies comfortable

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

ADOPTED: SEAK

When Seak's sister, Hide and her mommy, Peakaboo were adopted, the new owner was worried about leaving poor Seak behind.  I told her not to worry as I knew that Seak would have NO problems being adopted as she's such a beautiful, loving kitten.

I was right ... Seak was scooped up by a wonderful family from Richmond only two weeks later.  They saw Seak on the *VOKRA website, but didn't make immediate plans to see her and then noticed that she was taken off the site (as she was being viewed by the new owner of Hide and Peakaboo).  They were disappointed to say the least, but were excited when they saw her profile go back up onto the site again.

Any time there is a viewing, the cat/kitten being viewed gets removed from the website so that there won't be too many people queuing up to view one specific cat/kitten.

ADOPTED!  Seak - Aug. 22, 2014

Both owners have never owned a cat before, so I spent a few hours at each viewing to go over all their questions (and there were many)!  But I was more than happy to help.  That's what fosters do.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

ALL IN A DAY

Now that was pretty fast!  Peakaboo and her kittens, Hide and Seak were put onto the VOKRA* website yesterday at 11:05 am and by 2:56 pm, I already had a viewing for Hide and Seak.  I had no doubt that the lady coming to view them would take one of them home.

To my surprise, she loved how cuddly and sweet mommy Peakaboo was and decided to take her home, along with Hide!  I guess when you are as loving and adorable as these sweethearts are, it's not too hard to find a furever home.

I'm sure they will be happy with their new owner, who seems very excited to welcome these two into her home.

ADOPTED!  Peakaboo - August 9, 2014

ADOPTED!  Hide - August 9, 2014

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

KITTY SITTING

I haven't been able to commit to taking on another batch of kittens due to my work schedule.  I'm not sure when I'm going to be called out-of-town, so I can't really take in a litter not knowing if I can see them all through to adoption.  

However, what I can do is cat sit for other fosters who are on holidays or cats that are at the VOKRA* facilities who just need more room to stretch their legs and roam around in a more spacious setting.

I am currently cat sitting a mommy cat (Peak-a-boo) and her two 4-month old kittens, Hide and Seak (both females).  Hide and Seak are almost identical in their coloring, so it took me a couple of days to differentiate the two of them.

Peak-a-boo is a very vocal, arm hugging, affectionate cat.  She loves to be pet and brushed and seems to pose pretty when having her picture taken.

I think this is my best angle!

... or maybe it`s this one!

Hide and Seak are not that easy to photograph.  Being kittens, they never sit still.  But when I do get them when they are peaceful, they are just adorable!

Identical Twins

Beautiful and so loving, I`m sure they`ll all find a home soon.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

WEANING

I was advised to have Mommy Stacey stop nursing her kittens because if you let the kittens continually nurse, they will "nurse until they go to college" (not my words).  What I didn't expect was to see poor Stacey's nipples bubble up like this.  It looked painful!

Poor Stacey looking like a dairy cow

I was advised by *VOKRA to check to see that Stacey was not suffering from mastitis.  If she was, her nipples and surrounding area would be hot to the touch, red and sensitive.  Stacey looks like she is suffering from mastitis in the above picture, but when I went to check her nipples they were not hot.  Stacey also did not protest to my touching her belly ... thank goodness!

Below is a link to information I found on the internet on feline mastitis, should you think your mommy kitty might be suffering from it:

https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090125060720AA2mtZY

I was advised to do a couple of unconventional things to help Stacey dry up her milk:

1.  Place some cooled chamomile tea on her belly, and/or

2.  Place raw cabbage on her belly.

Both are a first for me.  I've never heard of doing either one to dry up a mother cat's milk.  Since I'm not a tea drinker, the second suggestion was the one I tried ... and would you believe it - it WORKED!

Much more comfortable now - thank you!

Stacey also needed to be neutered, so after speaking briefly with the vet, I was advised to wait about 2 weeks to ensure that her milk had dried up before bringing her in.  You can see her tattoo in her left ear - all spayed and ready for adoption!

Business trips has required me to leave home for weeks at a time, so I had to give Stacey and her two remaining kittens, Ritchie and Shirley to another *VOKRA foster to care for.  I hope that the three of them find loving homes soon.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

ADOPTED: CHACHI

Baby Chachi has been adopted!  A tall, handsome gentleman has decided to pick the smallest of the litter to keep him company.  He grew up on a farm with lots of cats, but never had one to call his own until today.  The sight of this well over 6'5" gentleman with an itty, bitty kitty in his arms was quite entertaining to see.

ADOPTED!  Chachi - July 1, 2014

itty ...

bitty ...

kitty !!

I've already received a photo update from Ralphie's new family about how well he is blending into their family.  The picture says it all, doesn't it?

It won't take long for Ralphie to outgrow his new family member, you think?!

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/

ADOPTED: RALPHIE & LAVERNE

My two white kittens have been adopted this week.

Ralphie is going to be joining a family and their little chihuahua (who apparently needs a little buddy to keep him company).  We are going to miss Ralphie and all his little kisses, nibbles and head butts!

Laverne is going to a lovely lady that already has an older cat at home.  As Laverne is the most chill and relaxed of all our kittens, I think her introduction into this family will be an easy transition.

ADOPTED!  Ralphie & Laverne - June 25, 2014

Last kitteh nap together

Ralphie

Ralphie

Ralphie

***

Laverne

Laverne

Laverne

It was really difficult to differentiate Ralphie from Laverne when they were younger, but Laverne has developed grey paws, while Ralphie has the whiter paws.  Personality wise though, Laverne is the one that just sits and admires you, while Ralphie will come full speed towards you as soon as he sees you.  Either way, they are both absolutely adorable.

ADOPTED: ARTHURELLI

As I had predicted, Arthurelli was the first of the kittens to be adopted.  A lovely family from Port Moody will be picking him up today to add to their family and also be a new playmate for their 5-year old kitty at home.

ADOPTED!  Arthurelli - June 20, 2014

They are going to be so happy with Arthurelli (we've nicknamed him Fonzie).  He's such a playful kitten.  He will be their non-stop entertainment for the foreseeable future.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/  

FINAL WEIGH IN

Now that the kittens are 8 weeks old (and counting), let's see how much they've grown since the first time I had them on the scale (5.5 weeks ago).

Chachi's start weight:  0.5 pounds

Gained 1.1 pounds to 1.6 pounds

Arthurelli's start weight:  0.7 pounds

Gained 1.7 pounds to 2.4 pounds

Ralphie's start weight:  0.6 pounds

Gained 1.2 pounds to 1.8 pounds

Ritchie's start weight:  0.6 pounds

Gained 1.4 pounds to 2 pounds

Shirley's start weight:  0.6 pounds

Gained 1.1 pounds to 1.7 pounds 

So it looks like Arthurelli and Chachi have still remained the largest and smallest of the litter.

Being the smallest of the litter does not deter Chachi from brawling with any litter mate that decides to challenge him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzpledHsrfc

The Peanut Gallery

These kitties are growing up fast!  I'm looking forward to showing them off to their new furever homes soon.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

http://www.orphankittenrescue.com/adoption_application/