Saturday we had to say goodbye to Addison, my beloved cat of 15 years (read more).

It was a heart wrenching goodbye and I thought it would be months before we would rescue another kitty or two and take them into our home. God had a different plan.

God’s Timing

Monday morning I received an email about a pregnant stray cat living in a warehouse. I contacted several rescues and spay and neuter services and was sad to hear that really there weren’t many good options for a pregnant feral cat. Either no one would help or they would just spay the kitty and kill the kittens.

I had wondered if we were supposed to care for the mom through her pregnancy and then help them all find homes. I kept praying about it. I was really excited about the opportunity to help a mom and watch kittens grow and be weaned. We wouldn’t normally ever have the chance as we always spay and neuter our pets because of the overpopulation problem.

I also knew the kids would love it as our oldest is watching butterflies and chicks develop in school right now. What a joy to care for a mom as she gives birth and cares for her babies.

Appropriate Rescue Steps

I checked with a vet to see what the best protocol was and she warned me that she needed to be tested for feline leukemia and HIV before determining anything. According to the ASPCA “FeLV weakens an animal’s immune system and predisposes cats to a variety of infections and diseases, including anemia, kidney disease and lymphosarcoma, a highly malignant and fatal cancer of the lymph system.” “Sadly there is no cure for FeLV, and it is estimated that less than 20 percent of clinically infected cats survive more than three years of active infection.” Feline Leukemia cats can’t be around other cats, have low life expectancy and thus are very hard to adopt.

I called my husband for approval to go and take the cat to the vet and just see…

On my way to the vet I prayed Lord guide me with what you want us to do. I haven’t even seen this cat, it may not be friendly, it may be sick, it’s not the timing of when I thought we would be getting a cat, is this what we are supposed to do? If the cat is not tame, it will be hard to find it a home. I hope it’s healthy. Please Lord, let the cat be healthy. I don’t know what I would do if it had Feline Leukemia.

Warehouse in Nashville

I arrived at the warehouse and met Miss. Kitty. She had been living in the warehouse since December. When the cold weather set in, she found a broken window, snuck in and made the warehouse her home. The employees brought her food and blankets and gave her love. Several employees came to say goodbye. They had clearly developed strong connections and cared deeply for the kitty but none were able to take her home.

I took Kitty to the vet for a thorough check up and to be tested for feline leukemia and aids.  I didn’t want to get too excited not knowing the outcome but surely God didn’t bring this cat into our lives just to have to her die.

Vet Visit

At 3:30 we got the call from the vet she was negative on the two tests but had hook and round worms, easily treatable. She said she definitely was pregnant and to expect kittens in 2-14 days. She said she purred while they examined her and seemed to be a good one:) I asked how old she was and she said probably not even a year, she’s what we call a “teen mom”.

The girls and I ran by PetSmart to pick out toys, liter and some quality kitten food (pregnant mom’s diet) then we went to pick her up. We brought her home and created her own space in a bathroom with food, a treehouse, toys and a liter box. She hadn’t gone to the bathroom in a liter box yet but cats pick it up fast.

Foster or Adopt?

I still wondered if we would keep her forever or just foster her through the birth and weening of her kittens. As we got her settled she immediately took to us all. She couldn’t get enough love, getting in anyone’s lap that would let her and rubbing up against everyone. My five year old, my non emotional child, started to cry because she was so affectionate and sweet.

A Sign

At dinner time my daughter went and got her library book that she had picked out that day at school. It was a picture of three cats that looked just like the one we brought home and had a section about giving birth to kittens. My daughter hasn’t brought home a cat book all year long. It was a sign to me that we should keep her but my husband still hadn’t met the cat.

My husband got home late that night and the girls went to bed anxious for an answer but he and I needed to talk about it and he needed to visit with her too. It only took a few minutes before he too fell in love and was making her a nesting box to have her kittens in. We decided we would keep her forever and probably one of her kittens although our 5 year old is hoping for two kittens, one for each of our girls:) God really has the most wonderful sense of humor!

We will be documenting the development of the kittens on the website, please keep posted…

Watch June, our rescued cat give birth to kittens and the development of them through the weaning stages. Kitty Cam available at http://straymagnet.com/watch-kittens-live

Other Resources:
Tips to Rescuing an animal

The post Rescuing a Pregnant Stray Cat appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Each week we will feature animals available for adoption at local shelters. This week’s pick is Charlie from Nashville Cat Rescue.

Brief Description:
-Male
-Short Haired Tabby
-2-3 years old
-Neutered
-Up-to date on shots
-House trained
Pet ID: 30-13

“Charlie came to Nashville Cat Rescue in pretty bad shape. We are not really sure what happened to him, but we are glad Charlie found us! Surprisingly, he was negative for FIV and FeLV and in good spirits despite having a horrible wound on his neck. 

Charlie had to go back to the vet six times for treatment before his wound healed. Charlie is now happily waiting for a forever home. He still doesn’t have much hair on his neck (and he might not ever), but he has put on some weight and loves all the attention he can get!”

Currently Charlie is an a foster home awaiting his forever home. If you are interested in meeting Charlie email loveallcats3@hotmail.com.

 He has been neutered, tested negative for FIV/FeLV, and is up to date on his vaccinations.

For more information or their full listing visit Nashville Cat Rescue’s information on Petfinder, http://www.petfinder.com//petdetail/25133764.

About Nashville Cat Rescue:
“Nashville Cat Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing cats and kittens from off the streets and from high-kill shelters and placing them into loving, permanent homes. All cats and kittens that come through our program receive superb veterinary care before they are adopted out to the public. Each Nashville Cat Rescue cat or kitten is tested for FIV/FeLV, spayed or neutered, de-wormed, given flea preventative, and given all necessary vaccinations.”

The post Past Featured Pet: Charlie appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Each week we will feature animals available for adoption at local shelters. This week’s pick is Charlie from Nashville Cat Rescue.

Brief Description:
-Female
-Short Haired Calico
-Spayed
-Up-To Date on shots
-House trained
Pet ID: 325-12

“You can probably tell that I have had a litter of kittens recently. The little furballs were a lot to handle, but they are now off to their own new homes. I have now officially retired from motherhood and am ready to go to my own new home.

I am a little too skinny now, so I am eating a lot here at the Cool Springs PetSmart to gain some weight. I am beautiful now, but I will be gorgeous after I fill out a little more. I am very sweet and would love to come live with you!”

For more information or their full listing visit Nashville Cat Rescue’s information on Petfinder.
Nashville Cat Rescue (Pets at area PetSmart locations)
Charlie is located at Cool Springs PetSmart
8105 Moores Lane Ste 1300
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
Phone: (615) 371-8890

Hours:
Monday-Saturday 9AM-9PM
Sunday 10AM-6pM
Adoption questions, email: loveallcats3@hotmail.com

About Nashville Cat Rescue:
“Nashville Cat Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing cats and kittens from off the streets and from high-kill shelters and placing them into loving, permanent homes. All cats and kittens that come through our program receive superb veterinary care before they are adopted out to the public. Each Nashville Cat Rescue cat or kitten is tested for FIV/FeLV, spayed or neutered, de-wormed, given flea preventative, and given all necessary vaccinations.”

The post Past Featured Pet: Charlie appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

One night I heard a knocking on my window. When I came to let the student in I noticed she had a little black kitten. She said she found it outside the Golden Gallon, a nearby convenience store, really the only convenience store in town. She couldn’t keep it as animals were not allowed in residence halls (dorms). She was the friendliest kitten.

I already had two cats who were living with me restricted to my bedroom because I lived with roommates who were allergic so it wasn’t an ideal location to temporarily house the cat since I couldn’t isolate her before getting her to the vet.

I called some friends who had their own apartment and a little screened in porch. I asked if they would be willing to house her temporarily while I got her to the vet and found a home. My friend was pretty apprehensive as she kept a tidy house but they willingly took her in temporarily. I provided all the basic supplies to help and made an appointment at the vet the next day.

When I checked in the next day my friend declared that there was an inequality amongst animals as there were far more dog toys than cat toys out there. I inwardly laughed and loved hearing how she had already given the cat a bath and bought her some toys. They were not sure they wanted an animal, especially a cat, at that time but they ended up adopting her and to this day she is one of the most loving cats I know. You can’t help but want to give her some love as she rubs up against you purring. My husband would gladly trade either of our less friendly cats for her. I am also honored beyond words that she was named after me. It has given me an even more special kinship with her.

The post Brooksie, a Sewanee rescue appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.