Your support of the littlest residents of Tabby’s Place is a great thing. And by great, I usually mean the standard definition of the word – super, excellent, generous, warm-hearted, and awesome. This month, however, I am reminded that great can also mean large, massive, and hugely ginormous. That’s right, sponsors; with your help, Tabby’s Place has saved eighty-seven kittens, that’s right, eighty-seven kittens and counting this summer — and Kitten Season shows no sign of slowing down.
This month’s madcap munchkins have included swirly tabby Magdalene (pictured below), who came to us with a very unwanted passenger. Poor Magdalene had one of the nastiest parasites of all, a Cuterebra (for those with a strong stomach, click here for all the gruesome details). Fortunately, our brave staff extracted the vile vermin, and Magdalene made a full recovery. She’s now spending her days bounding through the Community Room with Bones, Stew, Ribbolita and Beemo – well-deserved after such an icky start with us!
Our other new babies include siblings Midge, Ken and Tutti, who came bearing lessons. First, they reminded us of the importance of socializing kittens as early as possible. Little Ken and Midge (pictured above) were trapped in one of our colonies at just a few weeks of age, and quickly learned to love human affection. Their sister Tutti eluded us for just a week or two longer…but she remains quite feral. (Not to worry; we’re working on that.)
Next, the little family reminded us that a positive FIV test doesn’t always tell a true story when it comes to kittens. We were dismayed when, upon arrival, tiny Midge and Ken tested FIV+. (Tutti tested negative right away.) However, we knew that kittens can display a false positive in their first few months of life, as they may have their mother’s antibodies but not the actual virus. I’m overjoyed to report that, after several weeks, both kittens tested negative — and Ken is already gone to his forever home (with alumna Cake).
Perhaps as summer makes its exit, Kitten Season, too, will finally wane. It’s really been a remarkable year, though. I’ll remind you: eighty-seven little kittens were fortunate enough to know the love and care of the Tabby’s Place family…and of course, you are an integral part of their journey with us. Thank you so very much for all you continue to do to give each and every kitten the very best kittenhood with us!