ADOPTED: TUXIE AND STELLANA

I only had these kittens for a week, but that was all the time they needed to be with me before they were adopted by a gorgeous couple from Vancouver. I didn't even get a chance to take a multitude of pictures of the kittens (like I normally would have it they were in my care for a longer period of time).

The kittens were initially going to be named "Batman" and "Robyn", but their adoptive parents weren't big DC Comic fans, so they decided to name the kittens "Bonnie" and "Clyde" instead.

The new owners have an Instagram account, so I've been able to see the kittens from afar through their IG account. And so far, from the videos they have posted, the kittens are settling in wonderfully!

ADOPTED! Stellana - Oct. 16, 2017

ADOPTED! Tuxie - Oct. 16, 2017

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

I'LL JUST CALL HIM BATMAN

Every once in a while, I will get a batch of kittens from another foster who can no longer foster their kittens due to travel plans, guests coming to stay who have allergies or just from sheer exhaustion (like this batch).

The kittens' previous foster family were caring for the mommy and 5 kittens and were down to these last two kittens. However, because the fosters lived in a loft, the bathroom was not substantially big enough to house the two kittens, so the kittens had the run of the daughter's bedroom at night. This of course, leads to sleepless nights due to the noise that playful kittens make. After so many of these sleepless nights, you'll start to feel it and if you don't get the kittens on the same sleep pattern as you, then you'll start to get sick (which is what happened to the daughter of this foster family). So, for the sake of their health, they thought it better to pass the kittens onto another foster to take care of.

So that is how I came to foster Tuxie and Stellana, whom I like to refer to as Batman and Robin (although Stellana is a girl).

Tuxie (left), with his sister Stellana (right)

Although not very cuddly, both Tuxie and Stellana love to jump and sit on my back and chew on my hair. They also love to bump their heads on me when they nestle on the back of my neck, while purring up a storm.

I adore these two and try to kiss them every chance I get.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

ADOPTED: MRS. FITZ & DUGAN

My milestone 50th kitten and his lovely mother have been adopted together!

A mother and daughter duo found both the kitties' personalities perfect for their home and they loved their respective coloring.  They, too, have never seen a kitty that had both tuxedo and tabby markings.

The kitties' adopters have two little dogs at home and thought that Dugan would fit in perfectly as a new playmate, while mommy kitty would be the perfect lap cat. She is so chill, that I wouldn't be surprised if she sat around on the couch ALL.DAY.LONG.

I was getting worried for a bit there as Mrs. Fitz and Dugan had two prior viewings, but each viewing resulted in the potential adopter choosing another cat or kitten.  But it looks like the third time's a charm.

ADOPTED! Mrs. Fitz & Dugan - Sept. 19/17

Mrs. Fitz has been renamed "Abby", while Dugan has been (appropriately) renamed "Chase".

Looking forward to seeing updates, especially when Dugan is more mature. I wonder if his tabby markings will be more pronounced when he gets older. Time will tell.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

PROTECTIVE MOMMY

I was preparing the kitties' breakfast yesterday morning in the bathroom sink and as usual, Dugan jumps onto the toilet and then onto the bathroom counter top to investigate what I'm doing. He's made this jump a hundred times (the curious little bugger), but yesterday he somehow miscalculated his jump onto the counter top and proceeded to fall over, taking all the towels that were on the counter with him on his fall down.

Dugan on top of the towels that he took down
with him on his fall off the counter

Normally, he just comes out from behind the toilet and then proceeds to make the same jump again. Except this time, he must have landed wrong and I heard this excruciating "MEOW!". I knew that he had hurt something, so I bent over to see if he was okay.  Well, I guess Mommy heard his pained MEOW and thought that I was the cause of her baby's cries and proceeded to put her claws into me, bit my leg and then hissed at me.  I proclaimed loudly at her "I didn't do it! It's not my fault!"  Being a cat of course, she didn't understand what I was saying and proceeded to just growl at me and has been cool to me ever since.

Protective Mommy

Dugan started limping when he came out from behind the toilet, which caused me to panic and send emails out to my foster coordinator and to the vaccination team that was scheduled to give Dugan his booster shot on Monday. Of course, an hour later he had walked it off and was soon bouncing around the house and running after his tin foil ball.

Crisis averted. I guess I should have waited a bit before alerting the authorities.

I hope Dugan doesn't make too much of a fuss when he gets his vaccination on Monday. If he cries too loud, I hope Mommy doesn't get too upset (and blame me again).

Apparently when kittens are vaccinated, the mother cats are always put into another room. If they hear their kittens' cry out in pain from the needles, they will most likely attack - just like Mrs. Fitz did to me when she heard Dugan cry out in the bathroom.

Never underestimate the protectiveness of a mother cat.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

THE BIG 5-0

Come this November, I will have been fostering kittens with *VOKRA for almost 4 years. To date, I have fostered 14 batches of kittens ... some with their mommies and some without.

Today, I have hit a milestone number: the BIG 5-0. My 50th foster kitten is a frisky little tuxedo kitten named Dugan, and his beautiful mom, Mrs. Fitz.

KITTEN #50
Dugan at 11 weeks old - Aug. 27/17

The Oh-So-Captivating, Mrs. Fitz

This mom and son duo are so sweet to be around. Mrs. Fitz loves to be brushed and will walk circles around your leg while you brush her beautiful mane or makes biscuits with her paws while you brush her while she is laying down.

Dugan loves (and I mean LOVES!!) to play with his cat string toy. The minute he sees me pull out the toy, he's jumping all over the bathroom to catch it. Wait until I introduce him to the laser light! He's going to be exhausted from all the running back and forth that I'll make him do trying to catch the darn light.

Dugan has been vaccinated already and Mrs. Fitz has been spayed, so we are just waiting for a potential adopter to fall in love with them both and hopefully take them to their forever homes.

It's just a waiting game now. Hopefully not too long of a wait.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

ADOPTED: CHATTANOOGA & CHOO-CHOO

My little TV stars have been adopted by a wonderful Brazilian goddess! Well, that's what I thought of her when we met her and listened to her wonderful Brazilian accent.

Of course, my TV stars were dressed to impress in their little bow tie and yellow ribbon. The poor lady didn't have a chance. The kittens were just too darn irresistible. My mastermind of a plan worked!

She's never had cats of her own ... just coveted her neighbour's cat in her childhood. So, these kittens were will be perfect to both familiarize herself with general cat behavior and to keep her company for those long days and nights that her partner is at work (he's a top chef at a newly opened French restaurant).

Enjoy the hours and hours (AND HOURS!!) of playtime and cuddles with these kittens. I miss these little fur balls already, but I am 150% confident that they have found their perfect forever home.

ADOPTED! Chattanooga & Choo-Choo - Aug. 23/17

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

TV STARS

Chattanooga and Choo-Choo were featured on our local news station this afternoon.  *VOKRA was being featured in a segment that highlighted the work that the organization does for cats and kittens in the Lower Mainland.

Chattanooga was very relaxed with Coleen Christie, while Choo-Choo was a mischievous little rascal, jumping off the lap of Jay Janower and strolling around the news studio.  The poor meteorologist, Yvonne Schalle, had to chase Choo-Choo around the studio to get her back in front of the camera. You could tell that Yvonne is not used to being around cats just by how she picked Choo-Choo up.  It was funny to watch from the side lines.

Global News anchor, Coleen Christie holding Chattanooga;
Meteorlogist, Yvonne Schalle sitting next to
co-anchor Jay Janower, who is holding Choo-Choo

As you can imagine, I was taking tons of pictures and videos from the peanut gallery.  My husband said that I was like a proud mom ... a proud foster mom - that I was.  My foster kittens were on TV!  I had to capture the moment for my fostering posterity.

Of course, with Chattanooga and Choo-Choo being featured on TV (and looking absolutely smashing with their bow tie and yellow ribbon), I knew there would be a lot of interest in adopting these two cutie pies.

 

Getting the perfect angle

Why not take a nap while we're waiting?

All dressed up for their television debut

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

BATCH #13 - THE TRAIN HAS ARRIVED

My newest foster kittens are an 11 week-old brother/sister combo, each with a gorgeous mane of fluff and an underlining silver coat. They are simply gorgeous!

I have taken over fostering from their previous foster who is going on holidays at the end of the week. She has had these kittens since they were 3 weeks old, bottle-fed them until they were 6 weeks and states that in her 12 years of fostering, these kittens by far have the best and sweetest dispositions.

I have been advised that these kittens were found at the train yard on a train that came in from the Prairies.  So, they were dubbed the 'train kittens' on their intake forms. So, I thought it only appropriate to continue with the train theme.

Chattanooga (Male)

Choo-Choo (Female)

As you can see from their pictures, they have beautiful faces ... kind of reminds me of a panther.

These sweethearts are purr monsters as well. As soon as you come into the room or pick them up for cuddles, they will start purring almost immediately. I love them already.

I've got to spend a few more days with them to figure our their respective personalities before I can write their biographies for the adoption page.  In the meantime, I've arranged for their vaccination tomorrow evening and hopefully they don't have any adverse reaction to the vaccine. They'll be ready to go up on the adoption page as soon as next week if all goes well. Fingers crossed!

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

DESSERT KITTIES - ALL ADOPTED!

Who doesn't love dessert?  And who doesn't love kitties?  So, it would make sense that kitties named after desserts would be absolutely irresistible, amirite?!?!

Well, of all my dessert kitties, I was able to meet at least two of the adopters. Peach Cobbler's new daddy was taking him home to be a buddy for his 5-year old cat, while Oreo Cookie was taken by an adorable couple who was also bringing her home to be a buddy for their 2-year old cat (also adopted through VOKRA!)

As these kittens were not bonded, they were not required to be adopted out in pairs.  However, VOKRA always like to see single kitties adopted out to homes where there is already another cat at home (just so that the kitty is not lonely).

ADOPTED! Peach Cobbler - July 4, 2017

ADOPTED! Oreo Cookie - July 16, 2017

I was hosting my sister's bridal shower mid-July, so I was not able to continue fostering and meet with any potential adopters for the last remaining kitten, Cool Whip or the two mommies, Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie.  However, the fosters who took these kitties advised me only a few days later that they were all adopted.  And as an added bonus, the mommies were adopted by one of the foster's best friends. Apparently, she went over to visit the Pie mommies on the first day they arrived, sat down and Pumpkin Pie went over and crawled into her lap.  She then declared, "I must have these cats".  DONE DEAL!!! I just love when that happens.

ADOPTED! Pumpkin Pie - July, 2017

ADOPTED! Apple Pie - July, 2017

Little Cool Whip probably had a mile-long wait list of people wanting to adopt her after she was featured on the front page of the Daily Hive Vancouver. How could you not want her after seeing this picture?  And that permanent smile on her face!  So unique!

ADOPTED! Cool Whip - July, 2017

Batch 12 (kittens #45, 46 & 47) have all found their forever homes. I now have to wait for a new batch of cutie pies to come down the pipeline to kiss, cuddle and play with.  I'm going through kitten withdrawal already. I need my fix soon.


Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

BATCH #12 - DESSERT KITTIES

After what seemed like FOREVER, I finally have another batch of kitties to foster once again (three kittens with their Mommies).  And yes, I did say "Mommies" - plural.

The kittens (who were dumped in a vacant lot in boxes) have two Mommies as both adult females were nursing all three kittens, so it was difficult to tell which cat actually gave birth to the kittens as they were both producing milk.

I was given the privilege of naming them, so I decided to name them after desserts!

The Mommies:  Apple Pie (L) and Pumpkin Pie (R)

Peach Cobbler (the only male)

Oreo Cookie

Cool Whip

The two tuxedo kittens have very unique markings.  Oreo Cookie has some great patterns going across and down her front legs and paws, while Cool Whip has what looks like a moustache!

The adult females are very shy and will not come out into the main house when the bathroom door is open.  The kittens on the other hand, are jumping over each other to access the large open space to run and play and get into everything!

Oh, and did I mention that they are leg climbers?  Yes, they will jump from the floor onto my leg and start making their descent up my leg until I catch them and place them on my shoulder.  I guess they like the view from up there.

These guys are frisky as hell too.  You can't really hold them for too long as they want to chase each other around the house.  I swear, it sounds like I have a little herd of elephants stampeding through my kitchen sometimes.

If you do manage to get a hold of one, they will wrestle your hand and give you little licks before chomping down on your arm or hand and start play fighting.  The bites don't hurt mind you, they are more like a "play with me" type of bite.  If they do start to bite too hard, then I will quickly remedy that with a large "OWWWW!!" and immediately stop playing with them.  They will then learn that biting too hard with cease all attention, fun and playtime with me.

Cool Whip taking a break on my dining room table

In another week, I will input their photos and biographies into the @VOKRA database as they will be 8 weeks old.  Once they get their 2nd dose of deworming medication, I will get them vaccinated and then they will be well onto their way to finding new forever homes!

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

FERAL KITTEN SOCIALIZATION

It's been a week since I picked up my semi-feral kittens from *VOKRA headquarters and although I've made some progress with their socialization, there is so much more work that needs to be done to get these kittens to the point where I can have friends and family over to play with them.

I was told that Rhyme would be the easier kitten to handle, and I must agree that he has definitely been the easier kitten to work with. I walked into the bathroom this morning to both kittens sleeping on a towel on the floor and Rhyme immediately started purring when I started petting him. That's the first time any one of them has purred since I've had them! Progress!

Of course, the love affair did not last long as Rhyme quickly went back to growling and hissing at me when I tried to pick him up.  I've been lucky the last 3 - 4 days in that I have not been scratched or attacked when I went to pet them.  It almost seems like they growl and hiss at me as a warning to not come at them too fast.  I do notice that if I try to pet them from above, they immediately recoil, then hiss and growl at me.  However, if I come at them from below, with my hand moving slowly toward their chin or their paws, then I assume that they see me coming and don't give me the verbal warnings.

Reason has the best warning glare that any kitten I have ever fostered has given me:

Don't mess with me!

Her glares are usually accompanied by flat ears and an occasion hiss or two, but once I start petting her, she almost always calms down, closes her eyes and relishes the attention.

As I have never fostered feral kittens before, I was given a two-paged, single spaced information sheet on feral kitten socialization.  It reads:

Feral Kitten Socialization

Confined space
Approach often and with food
Wrap and hold in a towel
Play radio/tv
Have both female & male friends visit
Try to be with the kitten at least an hour in the am and hour in the pm
Speak softly, move slowly
Be PATIENT

Be cautious with kittens: out of fear they can inflict some painful bites and scratches.  Some kittens also have trouble distinguishing between treats and the fingers holding them!

SPACE
It is important to keep the kittens in a small confined space such as a bathroom or kennel because it reduces stress by reducing the size of their territory, and keeps them accessible to you. Choose a space that is quiet, clean and safe. NEVER let feral kittens run loose in your house! They will be terrified by their surroundings and will feel you are chasing them when you try to approach them.

Check your space for holes, dangerous hiding spots and escape routes; also restrict access to hiding areas. In order for cats to be desensitized to your presence, they have to be exposed to you. If they are always hiding behind a dresser they will never learn that you are safe or associate you with good things. Cats like to hide and burrow under something, but make sure these locations can provide a visible view of you and are easily accessible. A cat dome, travel carrier or cardboard box are all good choices for giving your cats security and privacy while still allowing them to see you. Kennels can be partially covered with a sheet or towel.

Provide comfort. Cats love soft, warm thing to lay down on. Sunny window perches, cat trees, and warm cat beds will help your kitten be more relaxed. A cat who is more relaxed is less fearful. A radio playing softly helps normalize human voices and unfamiliar noises.

Desensitize the kittens to your presence. Spend time in their space reading, working on your laptop, drinking some tea or coffee, writing, or having a nap. By being present but not approaching or engaging the kittens, they will feel safer and more comfortable with you.  Give food or treats when you enter the room.

BODY LANGUAGE
Show friendly, gentle, and trusting body-language. Try not to sit or stand so that you face the cat directly or stare at him/her. Being stared at is unnerving for cats. Always look at the kitty, make eye contact, acknowledge him or her verbally, and then glance away again.

Move quietly and slowly but stay relaxed. Cats dislike loud sudden noises and sporadic movements - such as heavy walking or quick movements - especially if they are uncertain or unfamiliar with their territory. Announce yourself before entering the room by saying hello through the door.

Speak soothingly. For animals, higher sounds (with the exception of distress noises) are associated with nurturing young and courtship within a species. Lower sounds are associated with aggression or territoriality. This is true throughout the animal kingdom, and why many animals can be initially more fearful of men than women.

Give 'blinkies'. Blink intentionally when you look at your kitty. Cats will softly blink at another individual to show gentle motives and friendly intention. When your cat looks at you, blink slowly. Close your eyes for one full second, then look at your kitty.  Glance away from your cat, blink again, then look back at your cat.

FOOD
Food will play an essential role in kitten socialization. Frequently approaching a kitten with a spoonful or finger full of baby food, tuna, or other healthy treats can be very effective. Try to get the kitten to take the treats from your hand or spoon each time, wait a few moments, then place the treat near the kitten if it refuses. As the kitten becomes more comfortable, its eagerness for the treat will quickly begin to outweigh its fear.

You can encourage kittens to be more physically comfortable with you by sitting or lying on the floor and placing treats on your body.

Pair your presence and all exits and entries with food. Even if the kitten hides or remains at a distance, leave food and/or treats every time you enter or exit.

HANDLING
Handling kittens frequently is very important. Wrapping a frightened kitten snugly in a towel while yo pet it helps it to feel secure while getting used to being held and touched. Slowly and calmly reach out and grasp the kitten by the scruff of the neck, supporting its rear end with your free hand. Hold the kitten on the towel and wrap first the bottom and then one side of the towel over the kitten with your free hand, then use that hand to hold the kitten still under the towel while  you wrap the second side.

You can "burrito" a kitten in a towel and just hold and pet it while watching TV. Pet the kitten on the head with your hand coming at it from behind - many kittens will flinch at a hand coming towards the face.

Exposing kittens to strangers is also important, we highly recommend "kitten parties". Have friends over and give each one a burrito-ed kitten to hold while chatting or watching a movie.

PLAYING
Provide your kitten with plenty of toys, playing helps them relax in their new territory. You can interact with them through play with want toys, pipe cleaners, laser toys or throwing a ping pong ball around the room. Playing quietly by yourself with their toys may get them interested in the game, and help normalize your presence. Kittens that are very averse to being touched can be touched and stroked with soft want toys like long peacock feathers.

DO NOT leave kittens unsupervised with toys that have any kind of string, elastic, feathers or parts that may come loose and be swallowed (i.e. eyes and ears on toy mice).

***

Most kittens will socialize very quickly. Some will take much more time and patience on your part. Socialization at the earliest age possible is crucial.  The older cats get, the less malleable their personalities become. Young kittens may become friendly and adoptable within weeks, while kittens over 5 months will likely take months to adjust, and many always be shy cats.

If you have more than one kitten from a litter, it is sometimes necessary to separate them. This is often difficult to do because our natural tendency is to want to keep them together. However, sibling kittens will bond with each other and what we want them to do is bond with a human. It will take a great deal of time and effort to socialize a feral kitten if it is kept with others. There is the possibility that a feral kitten will not be able to be socialized if it is not separated from other kittens. Remember that the separation is temporary, and kittens can be reunited with their own kind once they are socialized.

This last sentence might ring very true for these kittens. Since Rhyme is making progress in leaps and bounds, I think it might be a good idea to separate her from Reason in the hopes that Reason will socialize with me quicker. I will give Reason another 4 - 5 days, but if she doesn't improve then I will separate her from her brother for a brief period of time.

They do love to be close to each other:

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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

BATCH #11 - RHYME AND REASON

After a long absence from kitty fostering, I welcomed Batch #11 who are a couple of scared, hissy, bonded 3-month-old, semi-feral siblings whose mother was so feral that she had to be returned to where she was trapped. I assume that the mother was spayed first before being returned back to the wild.

Most of the kittens that I have fostered in the past have been very tame, or at the very least, just shy. I've never had kittens that have been so scared of people touching them that they hiss and growl when you approach them, but then there's always a first time for everything.  I am going to slowly work on their fear of humans and turn them into cuddle bunnies so that they will find their forever home soon!

But just to be on the safe side (since I don't want to get scratched or bitten), I had to pull out some armor to protect myself.

My protective armor:  Hubby's ski gloves

These kittens are so beautiful to look at and with some time, patience, soothing talk and gentle petting, I'm hoping that they will stop growling at me when I approach them.  But I understand that they must be totally freaked out what with coming to a new environment, new people and new smells. At least I got them out from behind my toilet.  I thought they were going to set up camp there for days.

Rhyme (male)

Reason (female)

Reason is definitely the more scared of the two, so I will spend a lot more time petting and talking to her so that she's not so fearful.

Let's see how much time it will take me to get these kittens all tame and purring in my lap!

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

https://www.facebook.com/VOKRA

Adoption application:

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