A Litter Of Gold
This past October, a heartwarming Baypath Happy Tail unfolded with the arrival of Nala, a glowingly expectant orange tabby. Cat Programs Coordinator Katie Farrell discovered the soon-to-be mother posted on a ‘Free-Cat’ Facebook page. Determined to offer Nala the best possible future, Katie offered Baypath’s care and support to Nala’s owner and secured a foster home with staff member and seasoned foster, Maddy Berthold.
To create a calm haven, Maddy set up a room for Nala away from other pets, adding white noise to ensure the new arrival felt secure enough to decompress and begin “nesting.” She provided abundant nutritious food and fresh water to support the health of Nala and her unborn kittens. Contrary to some cats’ preference to be alone before labor, Nala found comfort in human companionship. A week after decompressing and adjusting to Maddy’s home, Nala delivered an all-orange litter: Rue, Cicely, Juniper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Dill and Pumpkin Spice!
The main objective of fostering pregnant cats and neonatal kittens is supporting the mom cat so in turn, she can support her newborn babies. Extra consideration is needed for sizable litters, including tracking the kittens’ weight gain to ensure adequate milk production and proper feeding. Rue, the tiniest kitten, initially required supplementary feeding with Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR), but soon thrived alongside her siblings. The first few days in a kitten’s life are critical for development, including careful attention, observation and gentle socialization. Kittens undergo rapid changes in the initial stages of life; their learning and growth are exponential and each week is unlike the next:
Birth to 2 Weeks: Newborn kittens are wholly dependent on their mother for warmth and nutrition, as they cannot regulate their own body temperature and are born with closed eyes, which gradually open after the first week.
2 to 4 Weeks: With their eyes and ears opening, kittens begin exploring their surroundings, marking the start of sensory and motor development. They initially appear unsteady.
4 to 6 Weeks: This stage includes playful interactions, litter box training, exploration and the transition to wet kitten food.
6 to 8 Weeks: Playful energy increases! Kittens learn social play and their teeth emerge. The first FVRCP vaccine is also typically administered.
8 to 10 Weeks: Kittens are typically fully-weaned and consuming solid food. They also begin engaging in social play. Upon reaching suitable weight, they are ready for spaying or neutering before moving on to their forever homes!
New Life: Adopting in Pairs
Adopting kittens in pairs not only allows for a seamless adjustment and adequate socialization, but also reduces social pressure on resident pets. The following adoptive updates ‘purrfectly’ illustrate the harmony these pairings can create:
Goldie & Bialy (previously Nala & Pumpkin Spice): “They are really the sweetest kitties. Bialy is very energetic and goofy. Goldie is still the sweetest.”
Cicely & Rue: “They are great! Cicely is getting very fluffy. Rue has found that she loves wrestling with shoes.”
Luke & Leia: (previously Juniper & Cinnamon): “Amazing! They and our 11-year-old cat adore each other.”
Nutmeg & Dill: “The kitties are doing really great and fully acclimated to their new homes 😀 They have gotten bigger, still very playful, super sweet!! It’s amazing also how bonded and caring they are towards each other. They have also won the heart of our older cat too!!”
The Role of Fostering
Fostering plays a pivotal role in animal rescue, bridging the gap between shelters and adoptive homes. By providing compassionate, temporary care, animals are able to recuperate, mature, socialize and adapt in a peaceful home setting. Foster programs allow Baypath and other rescues to assist more vulnerable animals as well as support more community members.
According to Maddy, “Fostering has been one of my most rewarding, fulfilling experiences. I adore watching the kittens grow, socialize and develop, witnessing their unique personalities come through. Seeing all the love they provide their families once they are adopted, hearing updates from adopters and seeing all the love they offer, is the cherry on top.”
Whether it’s caring for a litter like Nala’s, offering a peaceful recovery space or giving a dog or cat a comfortable transitional home, fostering is immensely gratifying – and saves not only the life of the individual animal being fostered, but the lives of countless other animals in need!
Interested in experiencing the incredible joys of fostering?
Join Baypath’s foster family today!