From commentor Newdealfarmgrrrll:
Last week my nephew found a kitten outside their detached garage, and by the end of my brother’s frantic phone call, four more appeared. And the next day, the mom, which my brother lured into the garage with the kittens.
I think the poor sweeties were dumped, as the mom doesn’t seem feral, and is desperately affectionate. All the no-kill animal shelters in the Minneapolis/StPaul metro are full and not accepting animals.
My brother and I are both maxed with pets and can’t take them on. My brother lives in the boonies, and they will be lunch for coyotes if they stay outside :(
The little gray cutie (top pic) is the bravest of the bunch, and was instantly out of the box to meet us. And, IIRC, was the first one to be discovered, hungrily mewing near the garage.
Mom is TINY. As you can see, she is a tabby, and has a lovely large orange splash on top of her head which doesn’t show all that well in the pic. She was desperately affectionate, and has been using the litter box, except for occasionally piddling in the middle of the floor. This adds to my suspicion that she is a frightened and distressed cat who was dumped by her dipshit humans.
The other kittens were very shy and huddled inside the enclosed box my nephew and brother cobbled together. Isn’t “Patchie” adorable? *muffles a SQEEE* There are two more gray kittens as well as the ginger. I didn’t want to stress them further by dragging them out of their box for pics.
Little ginger decided to come out and explore! Well, hearing the rattle of the kibble jar was what lured him out at first.
I’m in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul MN) outer metro area. I have several extra cat carriers so I could ferry cats to my place for pick up as I’m right on the freeway system on the western side of Minneapolis. My brother is in the boonies on the east side of the Cities.
Three years ago Easter, we acquire a Balloon Juice rescue kitten who looked a lot like that little gray muffin, after he walked up to Hillary R’s little dog and introduced himself. Piper is now a magnificent 15lb gentleman of great dignity, with the softest plush fur…
If you are interested in adding one of these sweeties to your household, know someone who might be interested, or have other suggestions, please leave a comment. Or contact me at [email protected], and I’ll forward your message to NDFG.
MazeDancer
Babies! So beautiful. Mom is such a baby herself.
Anyone needing a family, now’s your chance. Happy to donate to transport. It’s the time of year pets can safely fly.
satby
Anne Laurie and Newdealfarmgrrrll, if no one else steps up, and we can arrange transport, our rescue Dreampaws will take the little family. It’s the subsidiary of our spay neuter group.
Major Major Major Major
Omg, adorable, somebody please take these things in!
Draco7
I’m in the Twin Cities metro area – also a cat person without a cat, though two cats are better than one. Where are the interviews being conducted? I’m also in the boonies on the east side of the cities.
rikyrah
They look adorable. I hope they find a loving home.
Mary G
So cute! I live in California and already have two cats, besides my pulmonologist is always bugging me to get rid of them because he thinks they are bad for my breathing (not happening) and I still want one, two, all, and/or mama cat. But I can’t. As always, happy to chip in if money for transport, spaying, vet care is needed.
MazeDancer
@Draco7:
Email Anne Laurie [email protected] and she’ll connect you
newdealfarmgrrrlll
@satby: thank you! I used Minnesota’s spay neuter program when I ended up with my three Kittehs, so grateful programs like that exist.
schrodingers_cat
OMG, I ar dead from the cute!
newdealfarmgrrrlll
@Draco7: Wherever you want! Although, probably most practical if I arrange a visit to their current location via email, it’s always easiest to tell for sure when you meet them in person.
ETA: looks like Anne Laurie can connect us, yay!
Mary G
@satby: @Draco7: Yay Balloon Juice helpers!
AndoChronic
Animal Ark down in Hastings could probably get them in on a wait list at least. This isn’t kitten season after all. The best bet would be to go down there and introduce them. It helps to sweeten the deal by paying for some minimal vet services they offer on site, which are actually really discounted. Best of luck to you and them all. I would love to see that these little ones got adopted by some awesome readers of this blog though!
Mnemosyne
I think the momcat would usually be termed a “torbie,” because she has both tortoiseshell and tabby markings. G is very lucky that we live in CA, because otherwise I might be on your doorstep right now despite already having three adult cats.
CarolPW
Mamma cat looks a lot like my sweet Guenevere from 40 years ago (although she could be crazy as fuck when the bug bit her). I’m in for transport $ if needed.
newdealfarmgrrrlll
I just got some sad news via text from my niece, one of the gray kittens has died (NOT mr/ms Super Friendly in the photo). So, four kittens and a mom needing homes. Poor sweet kittie, R.I.P. And burn in Hell dipshit jerks who dumped this little family.
MomSense
I love them! If my dog weren’t so terrible with other animals, I’d take mama in a second. She looks so much like my beloved Aggripina.
satby
@newdealfarmgrrrlll: keep me posted on my Etsy site (my nym is the link) and if they need to make the journey around the lake we can set it up.I can do a pickup in Chicago if we can get them that far, after Draco7 chooses.
debit
Oh my god. So much adorableness! I want to say I will of course take a kitten, but I have to check with my daughter (who is my roommate and chief litter box cleaner) and really search my heart as to how much I want to push breaking local laws regarding the number of pets in a home. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats and feel like I’m one animal away from being one of those sad people on a Discovery show about animal hoarders. If satby (may her name be forever praised!) can get them hooked up with a shelter, maybe that would be for the best. Still. KITTENS.
newdealfarmgrrrlll
@AndoChronic: yes, i’ve already talked to Animal Arc, long waiting list :( but they were super helpful and gave me a number of other contacts besides those I called that might be able to help. Which they couldn’t — also full up with waiting lists. All the no-kill groups I’ve talked to have been great, but alas, full up and at their limits :(
satby
@debit: who can resist a sweet momma and kittens? Not us! Though I’ll only be fostering them.
Because if I commit us, I foster ?
debit
@satby: If I haven’t said so lately, I think you’re amazing.
Czanne
I can contribute to vet services or transport help. I did try to get Spouse to consider taking two (or Mama + 1-2) but the 2000 mile round trip is his big objection (since 14 hours in a car would be very, very hard on the kitties). Mama looks like my late Simone of the whisky & smokes voice.
satby
@debit: The feeling is mutual!
Anne Laurie
@MomSense:
If I didn’t have my own “questionable” rescue dogs, you’d have to fight me for her! (Gloria’s never actually *hurt* any of our cats, but she harasses them as much as she’s allowed… and her dipshite ‘assistant’ Sydney might actually manage to hurt a kitten, purely by accident. Which is why the four levels of this house are divided by a series of baby gates which the cats can climb and the dogs can’t. Even then, both of our cats are approximately the same size as the dogs… and Rocky is a nasty bully; Piper can more than hold his own when they wrestle but I wouldn’t trust Rocky around smaller cats or kittens.)
debit
@satby: Blush.
I want to help these kitties in any way I can. Even if I can’t take one home, I can help with transport, vet bills, etc. @newdealfarmgrrrlll: Anne Laurie has my email, so feel free to hit me up if these cuties need anything right this minute. If I can, I’ll make it happen.
Major Major Major Major
You guys are awesome.
debit
@Anne Laurie: See, I have the opposite problem. My dogs love cats and respect them. It’s my asshole cats that are the problem. I had a female foster and my boys were utter shits to her. I can bring in boy cats or male kittens and everything is fine. I wish I knew how to make them get along with females.
newdealfarmgrrrlll
@satby: @debit: I think you are both utterly awesome and amazing!
jacy
I’m too far away and have my own houseful (3 dogs, 3 cats, and the aquatic turtle), but if there’s a need for donations for transport/vet, I’m in.
CaseyL
People like satby and debit give me some hope for humanity. (In my next life, I want to be one of satby’s dogs.) I can kick in $ for transport and veterinary costs.
Momma doesn’t look much older than a kitten herself. It is most likely she was dumped – but another possibility is that she escaped from her home while in heat, ran away, got knocked up, and has no idea how to get home. I think that’s how Jeannie came to me so many years ago: pregnant by the time she arrived on my doorstep, and far too socialized to be feral.
satby
@CaseyL: I think you mean one of debit’s dogs. They get massages!
Draco7
@newdealfarmgrrrlll: AL has made the connection – I will wait for further information re location. Just to be clear, I don’t interview kittens – I expect to be interviewed on the kitten’s (kittenses?) behalf:>)
Spanky
Where is Tissue Thin Pseudonym? Both IRL and in this thread. He may be further north than the Twin Cities, I can’t recall, but might just be very interested if he checks in.
b
I am very tempted – the timing of this blog entry does not seem coincidental.
We have a Steve look a like named Jefferson. Jefferson was not his usual self two weeks ago and I took him to the vet. He was not eating normally (he’s normally 19lb and loves to eat) and his purring was sounding “broken” is the best I can describe it. Over the past two weeks, it has become obvious as he stopped eating and drinking and lost 4 pounds in one week, that something was drastically wrong. We discovered 2 lumps on his belly last week and another lump has grown on his neck over the last 3 days (which is probably causing the weird purring). The vet took off the lumps from his belly and sent them to be biopsied. One of his eyes is also now not responding normally to light. To me it is obvious that he has cancer and it has spread extremely rapidly, including to the brain. My husband died of cancer that metastasized to the brain, so I have a bit of experience with the symptoms. The vets refuse to confirm the “c” word until they get back the biopsy, which was supposed to be 3-5 business days. The 5th business day is tomorrow. In the meantime, we have started him on a heavy dose of prednisone and he is eating and drinking for now, regained some of the lost weight, and seems comfortable. He is back to following us around and is happy to be petted. We will use the short time that the prednisone will give us to love on him and to prepare to say goodbye.
I have always dealt with losing a fur baby by getting another pretty quickly. It has been the best way for me to deal with the pain. Thus the strong temptation. On the other hand, I am in Maryland. If it looks like you need another home and we can get the kitten to Maryland, then let me know.
debit
@b: Oh man. I am so sorry and hope your diagnosis is wrong. OTOH, If we do need to get a kitten to Maryland, I’m pretty sure we can do it.
newdealfarmgrrrlll
@b: oh no! We lost our beloved TwitchyTail Furball to cancer eleven years ago. He was a gray version of Steve, huge personality, and losing him at age fifteen was still way too soon. Big hugs to you and Jefferson.
satby
@b: so sorry b. You’re doing the best by Jefferson by treasuring your time together but preparing to release him if you need to. It’s a tough situation.
And if the need arises, we can get a kitten to Maryland.
newdealfarmgrrrlll
@Draco7: Welp, the way I look at it, the kittens interview you. With cats, so often it works out they choose you, and that’s that.
Joy in FL
This is why I love Balloon Juice. The generosity and kindness mean a lot to me.
I will also be happy to help with transport costs to wherever a loving home would be for any of these cats.
khead
Whew. I am glad those adorable kittehs are 1100 mile away. I hope someone can hook these kittehs up with a good home.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym
@Spanky: I’m right here! I’m right here! (With here being NE Mpls, though I’m actually at work in Maple Grove right now.)
I already have two cats, which is enough, though I wouldn’t mind terribly if I got a third. If they aren’t all claimed in the next couple of days, I’m in.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym
@Draco7:
So, Wisconsin.
Genine Tyson
Everyone rocks! I desperately want a kitty, but I can’t afford one. :( But, I can chip in! Let me know. :-)
Westyny
Squeeee!
neros
You should consider reaching out to Animal Humane Society — a great Twin Cities animal organization that doesn’t identify as no-kill but actually has a better save rate (96%) than many no-kills. They also have a free Pet Helpline (952-435-7738) that can help you find resources in the Twin Cities.
Schlemazel
@Spanky:
We are on the road for the next two weeks and AL has forwarded our contact info. If they can wait two weeks and nobody steps up we will see what we can do. I really do not want another animal right now because of psycho cat but we may try if there is no alternative
I see Tissue has weighed in.
Draco7
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym: Not quite – Stillwater area. See a lot of them furrin’ license plates around here, though…
sphex
@b: I am so sorry for you and what you’re going through, but so happy for Jefferson that he has you to guide him through it. Like others, I can chip in to get a kitten your way, if it comes to that.
And like others have said- this seems an appropriate place to express my gratitude for the awesomeness of this community. It gives me hope for humanity. So thank you all.
sm*t cl*de
Mumcat doesn’t have the heterochromia but otherwise could little sister of the famous Venus.
CaseyL
@satby: Yoiks! You’re right, of course. I meant debit.
columbusqueen
I’m interested in Mama, but am afraid I live too far away . . .
bemused
Fuzzy Wuzzy gray kitty is adorable. She/he has a very unusual coat and it will be interesting to see if it remains that way. A friend had a cat with a coat that was equally short and long hairs. We’re in MN but already have two kitties and two is our limit.
satby
@columbusqueen: you’d be surprised how far transportation can be arranged.
Diana
Please keep us posted on what is decided for these adorable kitties.
And while I both live too far away and have enough pets, I, too, am willing to contribute to vet/transportation costs. So let us know.
debit
Dear god, I think I am raiding a hoarder in training. Daughter said said yes and tried to wheedle a second kitten into the deal, but I shut her down. @newdealfarmgrrrlll: I’m shooting Anne Laurie an email, so watch for incoming.
debit
@neros: I am a big supporter of the AHS. Kelpie was a hospice adoption from their now closed Buffalo location, and Ellie was adopted from their St Paul location. I would imagine that the kittens would be very adoptable, but mama kitty might linger there for a long time.
Ann Marie
I can donate to expenses. Let us know if needed.
Beeb
Also in for expenses if needed. My dog doesn’t think I can have too many cats — she loves them — but my current rescue cats think four are enough. In fact, two of them think I have one too many, although after two years of an armed truce they are finally sort of making friends with each other. Anyway, please let us know.