Last Wednesday, I went to pick up two cats per my father's request. He owns a nursery and garden center called Snooper's. The barn here serves as his tool shed and check out area for his customers. Ever since Kitty Kitty Meow Meow passed away, mice have been running around like crazy around here. We also have a lot of rabbits, which I guess are not so great for a nursery business either.
Right outside of the barn. |
Anyways, I went to the shelter to get some kitties and came home with Baby Frosty and Honey Delite. Their names kind of make me laugh, but I decided not to change them. They are actually not feral cats. They were owner surrenders due to "family health". They both came from the same previous owner. They are about 7 to 8 years old.
Baby Frosty in her favorite hiding spot. |
Honey Delite right after coming home from the shelter. |
So why did the shelter give me cats that weren't feral? I have no idea if these cats ever lived outside before. I know that the shelter would have definitely euthanized these cats. They were kept in the back with the other feral cats because they were deemed (VBP) "unadoptable". They were extremely terrified in the shelter, and it took the staff at least 45 minutes just to round them up out of their cages for me to take home because they were so wild.
I brought them home, and now they are staying in a confined (VBP) room in the barn for awhile to make sure they don't run away when we allow them access to the outdoors. They are slowly making progress and coming out of their hiding places.
Baby Frosty seems the most outgoing. She walks around and looks at me when I go to check on her. I was able to pet her once. I stopped trying after she scratched my father. She looks at me inquisitively (VBP) and doesn't run away when I approach her. But she will scratch. She growls a lot. However, I still think she has really made some great progress in just a few days.
Honey Delite is pretty much terrified. I feel so sorry for her. The first 2 days, it was pretty impossible to find her hiding place. She's a great hider. She still likes to stay confined when I enter the room and hisses at me a lot if I approach her. I did get to pet her for a few minutes one day, but I think she was mostly just frozen scared.
Honey takes over Baby's hiding place. |
So that's their story! I was glad to be able to give them a second chance at life. I feel bad because I'm not sure how different this life is going to be from their old life. I guess it's better than euthanasia though.
What a excellent program, you must live in a place where people actually think how to make the welfare of dogs and cats better, no such story here. Honey Delite is so darn adorable, this is why I couldn't work at a place ever where you have to put down these sweethearts, simply because there is no space, I just couldn't...
ReplyDeleteThe Austin area communities are really big on pets and animals thankfully. H.D. is very pretty! I think they both are!
DeleteI think barn cat programs are wonderful and wish more shelters offered them. (None around me do, though our Skeeter would not welcome another cat.) Feel so sorry for pets whose owners have died and no family or friend has taken them in. No wonder these two are so frightened. Good for you - giving them a second chance. (and Baby Frostie is absolutely gorgeous!)
ReplyDeleteThe area around us is pretty rural, although it's been urbanizing very quickly. I do feel sorry for them, but glad they are making some progress from the first day they came home.
DeleteThat's a great idea but like you said, why did they give you not feral cats.. we hope they settle in well. They are absolutely gorgeous , perhaps they would prefer a lap instead of a barn..MOL xx00xx
ReplyDeleteMollie and Alfie
They gave them to me because they were going to be euthanized if they didn't. They wouldn't have been able to adopt them out probably. They couldn't even handle them for an exam and had to break out the leather gloves to transfer them to my carriers. They had been there a month and didn't have their rabies vaccine until right before they left with me. They certainly don't act like they'd prefer anyone's lap right now lol. Maybe one day though!
DeleteWe hope they will settle in time. At least you have given them a second chance. Well done. I suppose one has to be patient. Good luck. Have a marvelous Monday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
I think patience is they key with them :)
DeleteThey are just precious!!! Soooooooo adorable! I am sure they will begin to adjust just fine!
ReplyDeleteBTW...be sure to stop by Dakota's blog today if you haven't already :)
They are so totally adorable! I wanna give em smooches!
ReplyDeleteOh we are so happy to hear that they get a second chance and the best part is that they can still be together. We're sure they will come out of their shell in no time and what a fun place they will get to explore!
ReplyDeletePiggy kisses,
Katie and Coccolino the mini pig
Yea - I like the fact that they are sisters. One thing I was worried about when I went to get 2 cats.
DeleteWe have Barn Cat Buddies for which I volunteer. Non-feral cats (usually abandoned kittens) who end up in the program stay in foster care until they can be adopted into a home situation. I so hope that these lovely girls adapt to their new surroundings and can help with your dad's rodent problems. It seems that surrenders are often the hardest to re-socialize. You were so wonderful to save their lives. Prayers, purrs and hugs from the kites at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. They are older and a lot of cats don't do well in those kinds of settings.
DeletePoor scared kitties. But yes, it's better than the alternative. I hope they are good mousers for your dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program. I know it takes time with kitties. Hopefully they'll get used to their new situation soon. I hope a couple mouser successes come their way. That should help them feel better.
DeleteOops! I didn't mean to "Reply" to Roxy's comment. Sorry, Roxy.
DeleteThat program at the shelter sounds great! What a wonderful thing giving feral cats a second chance. I sure hope Baby and Honey get used to their new home...and new job. Only time will tell.
ReplyDelete*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
I hope they will catch a lot of mice ... it's good to get a second chance :o9
ReplyDeleteI hope you can figure out how to make everyone happy in their new home.
ReplyDeleteWe also have a barn cat program in Ithaca. It's a great idea for cats that just couldn't be happy in a home but still need basic care and shelter.
Thanks Pamela - I hope so too!
DeleteAnn what you and your dad did was wonderful! To give Baby and Honey a second chance at life is nothing to take lightly...Cats like these two will adapt because they fortunately have each other to fall back on...there is comfort in being together through the years. We have placed many cats and kittens with local farmers and they have done very well! Bless you for being who you are...and thank you for caring! Charmaine and Kitty Kanteen
ReplyDeleteThank you Charmaine for the reassurance. I think they will be just fine. :)
Deletethis bee a total lee pawsum program...N ta baby N honey; de blessings oh st francis two ewe; pleez dont bee scared...ewe haza sooooper kewl grate home with sum sooooper kewl grate peepulz...
ReplyDeletepleez tell ann N dad ta play sum harp music...trooly...for ewe both....chek this link
http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2011/09/26/music-therapy-helps-soothe-animals-and-humans-alike-2/
it will help settle de scares....
XOXO
once they settle in they will be fine,well done for saving them
ReplyDeleteHey, we thing a second change is better than no chance too.
ReplyDeleteAwww poor little cute things... I wonder what happened to make them so scared :-(
ReplyDeletePurrs
Hope they settle in well xx
ReplyDeleteWoof! Woof! Adorable! Being a barn cat does not matter ... will definitely adjust and will do fine for sure. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program! We had some feral cats that showed up at our house and with feeding and lots of patience they became our "porch kitties" and we were able to pet and love on them. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, someone dropped off 2 similar cats for our barn. They never did make friends with us, but were they ever great mousers!!! :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with them!
I think you did a good thing! I am sure they will settle down, but it might take a little time!
ReplyDeleteI love their names and love that there's a barn cat program (I never heard of that before - I know they don't do that at the shelter I volunteer at - but I wonder if some of the others around here do??). It's great that you saved them. I hope they settle in and are happy to be good mousers for your pop! It sure beats their alternative! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope these two kitties will have a great time being mousers :) Mom agrees that this is definitely better than "the freezer"...
ReplyDeleteWow, does sound like you've got your work cut out for you, Ann. Good luck with your new kitties. They really are pretty cats--I'm sure they'll warm up as soon as they get used to their new surroundings!
ReplyDeletePlease keep us informed on how they get on!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you could rescue them and hope that they'll be not so afraid anymore one day. I hope everything will work out fine. Wishing you and your family Happy Easter :)
ReplyDelete