Messageboard
The Village Hall permalink
Fostering two kittens
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Â
Posted by Binky (U4657795) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
As of an hour ago, we now have two little kitties in our house, both black & white males. One has a little black mask and a moustache so looks like Zorro; the other has more white on him. The RSPCA rescued them, and 21 other cats/kittens, from a local address; the vet they were taken to knew we were on the lookout for more cats and so we have them for the next few days at least. She is waiting for test results to come back (checking for FIP virus) before we can have them permanently.
I'd forgotten how they get themselves into tight little spaces; one has taken up residence in the bookcase and the other behind the TV. I don't want to give them names yet as we may not be able to keep them, but how would you advise I address them for the next few days?? I suppose 'Pussy' will have to do unless ideas are forthcoming. -
Message 2
Posted by strawberrysunrise (U10452397) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
A and B
-
Message 3
Posted by Flakey (U13643566) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
sweetie pies #1 & 2 ?
Gosh I hope they are FIP free Binky.
Everything crossed this end.
Flakes x -
Message 4
Posted by Binky (U4657795) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:51 GMT, in reply to strawberrysunrise in message 2
No, it will have to be 'Pussy' then -
Message 5
Posted by strawberrysunrise (U10452397) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
1 and 2
-
Message 6
Posted by Binky (U4657795) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:12 GMT, in reply to strawberrysunrise in message 5
sorry about disappearing just then. There was an ominous noise coming from somewhere - sounded like a small animal jumping up and failing to get a grip...then sliding/dropping to the ground whilst grabbing at things with its claws. I don't see any evidence of things being 'disturbed' though. -
Message 7
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Hi, Binky
Kittenses, what joy.
The Cat Club needs pictures, please..... -
Message 8
Posted by Binky (U4657795) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:30 GMT, in reply to rainbowLaure in message 7
Kittenses, what joy.Â
Usually. But these two are so quiet I'm sitting here wondering what they're up to...they've only been here a couple of hours so I'll leave them in peace to settle in but I WANT TO PLAY.
Sitting behind a piece of furniture is not on.
No, sirree. -
Message 9
Posted by Dirigibles was here (U7278225) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Oh, how lovely. Hope it all works out for you and your kitties, Binky.
-
Message 10
Posted by Rusters (U11225963) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Oh, they sound gorgeous, Binky. My Stripe (so called because she has a white stripe just off-centre down her black face) has a comical white butterfly moustache too,just like your Zorro, which I love. How can you resist naming them?
If they are on the timid side, they might be better confined to one room for a few days, where they can feel "safe". Must be pretty scary in a new place with new people, and the more space they have the more stressed and agoraphobic they can be. Sounds counter-intuitive, when one wants them to feel they can go where they want, but having a safe "den" really can help. You'd know where they were too!
Really, really hope tests are fine and you have yourself two young tearaways.
Rusty -
Message 11
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Last time I had two nervous kittens, I got one of those igloos and droped a cat blanket over it so they could curl up inside in the dark.
What's the betting that Binky will be back in a day or two complaining because they won't let her eat, sleep or experience any other bodily function in peace? -
Message 12
Posted by Son_of_Nelson (U2246489) on Thursday, 26th November 2009
Just seen this thread. Well done Binky for giving a home. Rusters knows far more than I do about such matters but I would have suggested confinement too.
-
Message 13
Posted by Gayer-Anderson Cat (U13637930) on Friday, 27th November 2009
replying to rainbowLaure in message 11:
"What's the betting that Binky will be back in a day or two complaining because they won't let her eat, sleep or experience any other bodily function in peace?"
Huh! I don't think I've been to the loo unaccompanied for over 13 years except when I'm not at home, thanks to Senior Cat and Second Cat, who are convinced that I actually go to the loo to sit and have a chat with them. (They have been known to operate a similar system with visitors, with varying receptions...)
But good lucky with the kittenses, fingers crossed.
G-AC -
Message 14
Posted by Skylark (struggling to be more blythe and spirited) (U6629883) on Friday, 27th November 2009
As for naming the kitties...well, is there a need to do this now? I ask because we named ours soon after we got them. Months later we realised that we should have called them Phil and Thropic, because they kept letting other cats in through the car flap. Once I went down in the middle of the night to find my cats on the hard kitchen floor, with a total stranger curled up in their double basket!
Enjoy them. Two kittens are more than twice the fun of one. -
Message 15
Posted by Binky (U4657795) on Friday, 27th November 2009
Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:45 GMT, in reply to Skylark 49er in message 14
They have spent the night in the bathroom (their idea) crouching behind a laundry basket. When OH got up to make breakfast, he heard a scurry of feet and saw them disappearing into said bathroom; they ate their food during the night, but made no noise at all either playing or meowing. At present, one of them has secreted itself inside a bookcase, second shelf up; the other is sitting in the bath.
We fear that they were traumatised somehow in their first 3 months; they seem to be fearful of humans and were only happy when sitting in the cages that the RSPCA and the vet use.
I'm going to work shortly but I fully expect to find them in the same cramped spots when I get home later this afternoon. It's quite a worry. -
Message 16
Posted by Dirigibles was here (U7278225) on Friday, 27th November 2009
Binky, I think I would make a little nest for them, perhaps in a corner, in a cardboard box, if you happen to have one, so that they can hide away safely. Perhaps you could donate a couple of soft old jumpers to put inside, so that they can snuggle up together. (Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.)
-
Message 17
Posted by AelM (U3803556) on Friday, 27th November 2009
LOL at calling kittens Phil and Thropic - Baldrick is the same with inviting friends in to play, eat his food and sleep on his (our) bed. And at the escorting to the loo, if one of us dares to shut the bathroom door it gets opened again very quickly. I also get "assisted" in having a shower sometimes.
When our two oldest were kittens, they hid for about 3 days before I could get near them and then it was because I forced the issue. Their first night with us, OH wanted to leave them in the sitting room and about 5 seconds after going to bed changed his mind and we brought them into the bedroom (I knew he would), but other than that one in particular wouldn't have anything to do with us to start with. She soon came round though, and the pair of them then started causing complete havoc. And still do 11 years later.... -
Message 18
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Friday, 27th November 2009
We fear that they were traumatised somehow in their first 3 monthsÂ
I got my previous two from a pampered home environment, but they still seemed traumaatised and did nothing but hide for several days.
It must be hard to be picked up from your world and put down somewhere else completely unfamiliar - how would they know that this will be a good thing? One of your old jumpers in a box would be good because, apart from being snuggly, it would associate your smell and warmth and comfort together in their minds.
Give them somewhere warm and dark to hide and get a laser toy for them to chase when they /do/ emerge. Before you know it, you won't be able to get rid of them. -
Message 19
Posted by catwomyn (U1485618) on Friday, 27th November 2009
echo the idea of a nice snuggly hidey hole for them, pref with a couple of jumpers you & OH have been wearing, so they'll get used to your smell.
Sit in the bathroom with them, not looking at them or tryiing to approach them. Just sit down, and talk to them, perhaps read them a story or something.
Sticking a hand out to freaked kittens is the worst idea. Approaching them with a toy is best, but if they are very scaredy then a huge fluffy toy on a stick is a bit overwhelming. A bit of dangled string or a laser toy will be fine. I've never known kittens to resist a bit of string.
Good luck
Cat x
About this Board
Welcome to the Archers Messageboard.
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
This messageboard is now closed.
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Ö÷²¥´óÐã iD
Ö÷²¥´óÐã navigation
Ö÷²¥´óÐã links
Ö÷²¥´óÐã © 2014 The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.