Anna's Foster Cats and Kittens
Life is Better with Cats – Adopt One Today!
Today we waved goodbye to Minnie as she left for her new home with Jillian. Such a bittersweet moment, as we have hosted her for ten months! She will have a new brother (Jillian’s cat Klinger), and a lot of love and pampering. Minnie has been such a sweet kitty, and her kittens were the kindest kitties we’ve ever had. We are so joyful for Minnie, Klinger, and Jillian!
I have finally changed Mamba’s name! She will now be known as Minnie – which suits her because she’s small and cute.
Back when Minnie was first rescued from the farm, she accidentally got loose in the transport van. She was a new mom and terrified at everything that was going on. So of course she tore around the van in hyperdrive, bouncing off the walls and the humans. She was quick like a little black snake – so she was called Black Mamba.
That’s the name she had when she was brought to me. I didn’t want to rock the boat, since the rescuers had other things to worry about, so I just left it.
But it does not in any way suit her personality. She is a sweet-natured kitty who loves attention, and deserves an appropriate name.
Future posts on this website will use her new name, but keep in mind that former posts will still have her old name.
Quintus and Mamba have been allowed to visit Hazel in the big room, and Quintus especially finds it an exciting adventure. One thing he tried was jumping onto the dog cage – it’s so hard! Little kittens don’t seem to have a big problem walking on the wires of the top (or maybe they just don’t mind!) – but adult cats find it a lot more challenging. Here’s Quintus having a go.
Mamba is the only cat I know who sticks her tongue out almost all the time. Here she’s been playing with a broken peacock feather, and her tongue is at least partly out the whole time.
This is Hazel’s room, and you can see her in the basket below. She feels a bit invaded, and is ignoring Mamba playing right over her head, but I think she’s really happy to have company.
Today we invited Quintus and Mamba into Hazel’s big room, so they could explore and get acquainted. Hazel and Mamba are from the same farm, so they certainly knew each other, but it’s been awhile, and both have raised kittens since then. Hazel’s kittens were all adopted, and Mamba has only Quintus left. It’s pretty likely that they are related. There were 30 cats on that farm, but many of them were likely by the same dad. Mamba and Hazel could be cousins, sisters, even mother and daughter. There have been no big fireworks when they were together!
Even in the middle of playing, Quintus will stop for pets. He never attacks your hand – he just leans into the pets. Such a sweet boy!
The top of the cat tree is his own play station. His mom, Mamba, heads for the middle level, and Quintus shoots for the top. He’ll launch himself onto the bed from here to chase a toy, or down to a chair – but he loves to start on the top of the cat tree. Then he’s ready for anything.
I sometimes call Quintus Quinty-Q, “Q is for cute!” Which is nonsense, because “cute” doesn’t begin with “Q,” but he doesn’t mind. He’s very easy-going.
Mamba’s technique is quite different from Quintus’s. Quintus stays mostly close to the screen and sometimes touches it. Mamba mostly hangs back, ready to pounce. When the bird or squirrel goes offscreen, Mamba shoots under the bed looking for where it went, or off to the other side. She’s had more real-world experience of hunting small creatures, and thinks in terms of heading them off. Quintus is working 100% from instinct – he’s never been close to a real bird. His instincts are telling him what he should do – but they don’t know quite what to make of the flat screen.
George has made so much progress with Mamba! He has spent a lot of time gaining more and more of her trust, and it is paying off. She now is happy climbing on him, lying on his bed with her kittens, playing chase games – and she loves attention and being petted.
Mamba came from a farm and was happy around people. Unfortunately, the farm was sold and the new owner wanted to shoot all the cats. The rescue process for Mamba and her five kittens was pretty traumatizing for her. George is gradually persuading her that humans really are mostly good to be around.
I think she’s ready for a furever home! Ideally, she would be adopted along with at least one of her kittens. This is such a loving family, with strong bonds. The closest of Mamba’s bonds is with Quintus, who looks so much like her. Mother and son are actually only a year or so apart in age – and their affectionate bond could last their lifetime.
Are you a cat person looking for rewarding companions? Contact me if you’d like to meet Mamba and her family!
Snippet has a new trick. I bring breakfast in on two plates, and lean down to put them on the floor. Snipped jumps up on my back and starts to purr. He would rather do that than eat!