Tag Archive for: TNR

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Sweet Eleanor

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

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Kittens & Cats Galore!

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

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Kitten Season is upon us!

Kitten season sounds like a magical time of the year, but to animal rescuers and shelters, its mere mention creates a sense of panic as preparations must be immediately put in place to address the multitude of mother cats with their litter of adorable kittens in tow who will soon be appearing on our doorstep. In most places across America, animals mate and give birth in springtime due to longer days, lovely weather and more access to food, which means a higher survival rate. In Florida, however, kitten season is basically, year-round. Cats, many merely kittens themselves, can have litter after litter, throughout the year, making this quite the vicious cycle.

At times, orphaned kittens who are under four weeks old and unable to eat on their own, kittens who must be manually stimulated to urinate and defecate, requiring hands-on care every two to four hours, appear at our farm. With their fragile immune systems and labor-intensive care and socialization needs, these precious babies are, tragically, the most vulnerable of species.

Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc., is not only dedicated to saving these precious kittens by caring for and nurturing them, but is actively addressing the situation with a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, a program that has met with great success across communities nationwide.

Beauty’s Haven provides these kittens and cats with shelter, food, toys and “catios” to keep them safe and warm prior to their veterinary care (spay, neuter, vaccines) and subsequential release and many oftentimes return knowing that they will be safe, warmly welcomed and be fed a nutritious meal.

With a herd of thirty horses, mules and donkeys, as well as four dogs and five cats, with little monetary assistance for our TNR program, we would be forever grateful for any contribution or item from our Wishlist, specifically food, which would greatly assist us in this most important and much needed endeavor.

Thank you, in advance, for your love and support.

Sincerely,
Theresa

Nala is just one of the many cats we help through our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program. We provide kittens and cats with shelter, food, toys, and catios to keep them safe and warm before their veterinary care, which includes spaying, neutering, and vaccinations. Many of these cats return to us, knowing they will be welcomed with warmth and a nutritious meal. Your support is crucial for us to continue this important work. Please consider donating to our fundraiser—every contribution makes a difference!

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When It Rains, It Pours, And Kittens Galore!


A Surprise at the Store!

When Theresa went to the store on Tuesday to get supplies for the rescue, a kitten approached her and wrapped herself around Theresa’s legs.  Theresa picked her up and walked back into the store thinking perhaps someone left their car window open and she had escaped.  Store personnel were surprised that Theresa was holding the kitten.  Someone said they had been trying to catch her, and her babies, for a few weeks and that sometimes they put cans of food out for them but they hadn’t seen the babies in a few days.  Someone had dumped the mother cat some time ago and she had been living under the trash dumpster where she had a litter of five kittens.  That’s so sad!  Momma Cat is just a kitten herself!

Theresa knew Momma Cat had no milk and that the store personnel were putting food out for the others, so she decided to take Momma Cat to the rescue and return to try to catch her babies.  Momma Cat needed to be spayed – she definitely did not need to have another litter of kittens!  Theresa put her in the car and went back to the curb to get the shopping bags.  While walking back to the car, two little eyes peeked out at her from beneath the bushes after which she heard a tiny ‘Meow’ and another smaller kitten that looked just like Momma Cat walked up to Theresa and looked up at her as if to say “Take me too!”

Theresa scooped the baby up and went back into the store to advise them that she had one of the babies too.  Before leaving, she searched the area for the other babies but didn’t see any of them.  The manager of the store, however, said they would continue to be on the lookout for the remaining kittens and promised that they would leave out food for them.

Safely Home!

Once back at the rescue, Momma Cat and her baby settled in.  Even though Theresa is allergic to cats, she couldn’t help but to hug on both of them.  It was nice to watch them come to life after getting proper nourishment.  Momma Cat is thin and has no milk whatsoever but baby still tries to nurse.  The baby was comfortable enough to start playing with toys, seemingly, without a care in the world.  Momma Cat, however, was not feeling as well which is understandable with everything she has been through and trying to sustain her babies.  She looks like a baby herself.

Throughout the night, Theresa could not stop thinking about the other kittens. She called the store manager the next morning who stated that they would attempt to catch the four remaining kittens and that three were already spoken for which left one unwanted baby. Beauty’s Haven would, of course, take the remaining kitten if need be. Theresa did not hear back from the manager, so she decided to return to the store, with Momma Cat in hand, to see if the kittens would respond to her ‘Meows.’  Theresa saw and tried to catch three of the kittens – she did not, however, see a fourth.  The kittens were playful and in fairly good condition.  They came within three feet of Theresa, but did not want to be touched nor were they the slightest bit interested in Momma Cat.  They were eating on their own and exploring – just busy, carefree little kittens!  If only they could understand that bad things could happen and that they needed to be caught. Not only are they at high risk of being run over by cars entering and leaving the parking lot of the store, the danger that would befall them should they innocently wander into the busy highway is beyond unthinkable.

A Visit to the Vet

Momma Cat and baby were vetted on Wednesday and were found to be underweight and full of parasites and fleas. We, sadly, learned that Momma Cat is likely pregnant again and is only about ten months old – she’s still just a baby herself.  Baby Boy is four months old which means his siblings are the same age so if any of the remaining kittens are females, it is possible that they, too, may become pregnant.  This is yet another reason why it is imperative that the remaining kittens be caught as soon as possible.

Many thanks to those who are helping us to help these precious little ones. If you would like to sponsor a kitten or contribute to their care, donations can be made on our website. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.  Please note in the comments section that your donation is for the ‘Kittens.’  Please be assured that no amount is ever too small and all donations are so greatly appreciated.

If anyone is interested in adopting either or both kittens, please contact us.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

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