Monday, June 20, 2016

More and More Cats

Well, KATA referred me to an Albany apartment complex to fix cats. They took a couple kittens but both died.  Another had been found dead there.  Teen moms.  They don't do well with their first litters.

One female allegedly had just had kittens a couple weeks ago.  A tenant's daughter pledged to go under the building and find them, should I catch her.

So I got at it, having 8 reservations for today up in Salem at Willamette Humane's clinic.   I got at it Saturday to be sure I caught them.  I caught four Saturday evening, two big males and two teen females.  I left at 11;30 p.m. and was back at 4:30 a.m. and by 7:30 a.m caught two more, including the female with kittens  under the complex.  The woman showed who said she'd go under.  I was relieved because I'm getting old, too old to belly crawl under buildings, although I don't mind doing it.

However, I think the ick factor got to her, because she only went into the hole part way before backing out, giving up.  So under I went.  I could barely fit through the hole but made it under and propelled myself around with my toes and forearms on my belly, looking under fallen insulation.  Way back 30 feet from the hole, I lifted some insulation and there they were.  Five beautiful gray tabby newborns.  I figured them to be ten days old because some had their eyes open.

I propelled myself backwards then, moving them with with me, as I'd forgotten the towel I intended to wrap them in, should I find them.  I'd moved them back as far as I could, in a pile, then backwards I'd slither, on my stomach still, choking on insulation and dirt in the air as I went.  But we made it out, all six of us.



I went home then, set them up with their mom in a borrowed tiny cage, since the two cages I have, were full, one with the torti teen tux from the Circle K dumpster who was to go to Sherwood yesterday.

The two other females I'd already caught were in the 2nd larger cage.  I'd added the third female, freshly caught, since they're siblings.   And then set up the small cage for the mom and her kittens.  But she wouldn't nurse them.  They tried to nurse on her and it was pitiful.  She was too scared.  So KATA came and took them.

This was Mama Mia's second litter this year.  SECOND LITTER THIS YEAR!

Fix your cats, people!!!!

Mama Mia is getting spayed today.  Time to kick back, gal.  The kitten factory is closed.
The three younger females are Moonshine, Faded and Basil.  I named them all on the way up to the clinic with them today.

Moonshine, a young skinny torti

Faded, a muted calico long hair being fixed today

Basil, a long hair brown tabby girl

Four boys are also being fixed.  I had to be there at 7:15 a.m.  But at least its Salem, not Portland.

King, a kind hearted timid massive but elderly gray tabby tux male

Grandpa, a massive medium hair gray tabby male
Techie, the black tux male fixed yesterday.  Lots of fight scars on all these males.

Boda Black, a young black male also getting fixed today.
I didn't get Jazz up to Sherwood yesterday.  I couldn't get her into the carrier.  I'd taken a nap after KATA took the kittens and then when I failed to get Jazz contained for her new place, I went up to see my brother, who turned 62 yesterday.  It was great to see him, his wife, and his daughter.

We took a walk with their beloved dog, Carter.  Carter sometimes is nice to me and sometimes eyes me with great suspicion.

After getting back home, I set a couple more traps at the complex and came home.  I caught the other two boys in the night and picked them up early.

We had some rather extreme thunderstorms over the weekend.  Summer type weather has not yet come to Oregon, making us all a little nuts to think we might have to endure a summer of gray and drear after enduring the same all winter long.   It's not exactly a cheery thought.



13 comments:

  1. Bless you, all the adult cats you helped, and these kittens. I would have too much fear of the unknown going into a crawl space. Yowza. Good job! I'm so glad you enjoyed visiting family. That's wonderful, my dear. And your description of the dog's differing reactions to you made me giggle. It's fun to wonder what animals really think of us. Be well!

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    1. Many people cannot crawl into spaces that one must contort just to enter. But it not something that bothers me. Guess I'm lucky? Hnmnn.

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    2. I know these kittens are! ~hugs~

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  2. Thank you. So much.
    Spectacular clouds. And a belated happy birthday to your brother.

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    1. I was driving when I saw those clouds and thought "uh oh, what is coming our way."

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  3. Another day, another car full of cats. Amazing. I'm glad that you got to visit your brother. That always seems to be a pleasant time for you.

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    1. I do enjoy seeing my brothers and their families and don't get to very often.

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  4. Anonymous4:19 PM

    I hope the girl felt guilty about you crawling in there. I enjoyed the thunder. We rarely have thunder storms.

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    1. Some are suited to it, some not Andrew. Doesn't bother me one bit, not anymore at least than anything else I see these days.

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  5. Anonymous5:24 PM

    Bless your soul, my friend. You are really a blessing in so many ways. I wish I could be there to help you. Thank you for all you do. It matters. You matter.
    I love the cloud and weather pictures, too. Stay safe.
    I am happy you were able to spend time with your brother. HUGS!

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    1. Thanks you McGuffy. I love my brothers!

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  6. You are my hero! Happy Birthday to your brother, and oi - do I ever know about rainy weather. It's the wet season here in central Florida, I think I may turn a mossy green.

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    1. Ha, my north facing slopes are still coated in a thick layer of moss!

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