Tag Archive for: cats

We never have a dull moment here at Beauty’s Haven! As you all know, we are involved in a TNR program and we routinely, try to trap the feral cats that visit the farm on either Monday or Tuesday evenings in order to take them to a low cost spay/neuter clinic the next morning. On Tuesday evening, however, we were completely exhausted and didn’t plan on arming the cage which I can activate from the house with a remote control. The cage door, however, unexpectedly dropped down when a cat likely bumped it as we found a momma cat and one of her four kittens in the cage later that night (please click on image above).

The kitten had a painful eye injury so we had no other choice but to take both she and her momma to the vet as soon as possible to treat the kitten’s eye as well as to get both spayed, treated for fleas and vaccinated.

When we arrived at the low cost TNR clinic on Wednesday morning, they were at full capacity for the entire day so we had to take them to another vet in town. When I went to pick them up, I only returned home with the kitten whom the veterinary staff lovingly named Eleanor. Sadly, Eleanor’s mom bit one of the veterinary technicians and is now in QT for the next ten days while Eleanor is resting comfortably in our catio following surgery to remove her eye. I am sure she misses her beloved momma but she does have Allie to keep her company.

Momma cat is still a kitten herself, born in April/May of this year but disappeared when she was about four months old. But, a few weeks ago she showed up at the farm with four kittens in tow. One kitten was mostly white but we have not seen her for a few weeks. Sadly, white kittens/cats don’t seem to do as well here as they appear to be easy prey for coyotes and birds. Eleanor always sticks close to her momma, while her two other siblings are more adventurous – we saw them again a few nights ago (we have cameras set up) and they are all thankfully just fine. We will try to catch them in the near future.

This is yet another unexpected expense with which we really need assistance.

If all had gone as planned, we could have had the spays and vaccinations performed at a low cost TNR clinic, but due to Eleanor’s painful eye injury, we simply could not wait.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Please click on the above image to view a sweet video of Momma and Baby.

As we may have previously mentioned, during the past year, we have been trying to catch a feral cat who had four kittens about two months ago, in order to get her fixed. As a feral, she has had at least four litters since she was born here at the farm. We have cameras set up throughout and we have seen momma with her four kittens in tow, coming for their nightly meal which indicated the kittens were able to eat on their own. Since the opportunity arose to catch momma and one kitten, we opted to proceed. Since the kitten was not big enough to get fixed, she stayed with us, accompanied by a warm, stuffed sloth and she did just fine. Momma was spayed and upon her return home on Thursday, her kitten was so happy to be reunited with her beloved momma once again. Both are presently staying in one of our A/C storage cabins for a few days and then will be released together. Since the other three kittens have been visiting routinely to eat and get fresh water, we know that they’re all doing just fine.

Last week, Jessica found a kitten in the middle of a paddock who was approximately, just seven to ten days old. We waited and waited, but sadly, the momma did not return, so we had no choice but to help this sweet little kitten. Jessica took her home and, thankfully, she is doing well. Then yesterday, we found two additional kittens who appear to be the same age, and once again, we watched and waited. Since the mother cat, perhaps a first-time momma, had not come back, the kittens were becoming weak, especially the smallest one. The kittens received KMR, were bathed and had as many fleas removed as was possible. They are presently in our bathroom, contentedly napping away in a little cat snuggly house, accompanied by a cuddly stuffed rabbit. Have I mentioned that I am very allergic to cats?

If anyone in the area is skilled with raising orphan kittens and could take these two precious and innocent little ones, please text me at 352-258-9309.

I know kitten season is upon us and everyone is full, but I’m praying for a miracle. Sadly, with all that is happening here at the farm, we have not had time to send weekly updates for which I truly apologize, but for the past five weeks, both Bob and I have had a severe case of bronchitis, yet we are trying to do our best. Our physician changed our medications this past week, so hopefully, we are, at long last, well on the way on the road to recovery.

We try not to ask for assistance for our TNR efforts but we could really use it at this time. KMR and cat food is not inexpensive. We have trapped and had over a dozen cats fixed and including the new kittens, there are at least, nine to eleven more cats/kittens that are in need of TNR.

All donations are tax deductible and no amount is ever too small. Just click on the “Donate” button below where you may contribute in a variety of ways, or, if you prefer, you can help by visiting our Chewy Wish List by clicking here.

Thank you, all for your continued generosity, love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa