Of the eight kittens, two are male, the others female. One of the male kittens, a grey and black tabby, is growing to be a really big boy! He is the biggest of the pack.
The other male is a grey with black-tipped fur on his back, and white paws like toe-socks.
There are three white ones, and one of them is especially fluffy, having softer fur than her two other white sisters. She has a softer voice than the others; all the kittens are quite vocal.
They should be about four weeks old by now. Soon they will be eating solid food, the mother cat is already not nursing them as often. They are beginning to explore the neighbour's territory a lot more now.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
How we discovered the mother cat with 9 kittens
One of our favourite stray kittens lives in a block at the far end of our car park. I call her Squirrel: she is a warm lilac grey shorthair, with black fur down the spine of her back. She is really cute, like Nermal in Garfield, but when we first spotted her she was really shy to the point of hiding behind trucks and motorbikes whenever we approached.
The last time we did our community cat neutering, Andy and I took her too. We then replaced her back at her home. By this time, Squirrel was already much more acquainted with us. Andy passes by her spot whenever he walks home from the bus stop after work, so we keep an eye on her every now and then.
During this time we had also spotted a very pregnant cat. One day while going to visit Squirrel to give her an extra meal (as kittens they need to eat more), we saw this pregnant cat. Thinking she might have already scoped out a place to give birth, we stalked her, as she walked up the stairs of a block nearby, to the second floor.
Turns out, that this cat had already given birth outside a flat on the second floor.
When we found the litter, they had just only opened their eyes, meaning they were 10 days old.
Her litter consists of 4 white kittens, 2 grey-black ones, 2 grey tabbies, and 1 white with tabby stripes.
Aswat has already been notified, and also gave the mother cat some cat food. He is also on the lookout for potential adopters. We have been monitoring the mother cat and her litter almost every evening now, and recently met all the people who have been helping to feed her, synchronising our feeding schedules. Andy and I are on dinner duty, dry food. The upstairs neighbour feeds her in the morning, and the neighbourhood cat lady feeds her in the evening (canned food).
One of the white ones have already been adopted, which is a good thing, because that one was the skinniest and has a better chance of survival being hand-fed with kitten formula. 8 kittens, 8 teats on the mother cat, much less fighting amongst the kittens.
The kittens are still being cleaned up after their mother after they eat, meaning she licks their behinds to induce excretions, thereafter licking them clean. But soon, the kittens will start to pee and poo like grown-up cats. 8 kittens will be too much for the neighbours and the family living in the flat the kittens now live outside of.
The mother is a cautious cat, but very friendly once she gets to know you. The kittens fathers are likely to be the brother of Mommy cat at our block - white, possibly cross-Siamese - and a grey and black tabby cat.
And it also looks like this mother cat is Squirrel's mother.
Will update more on them soon, and when I can good pictures on them. 8 personalities to profile, lots of work!
The last time we did our community cat neutering, Andy and I took her too. We then replaced her back at her home. By this time, Squirrel was already much more acquainted with us. Andy passes by her spot whenever he walks home from the bus stop after work, so we keep an eye on her every now and then.
During this time we had also spotted a very pregnant cat. One day while going to visit Squirrel to give her an extra meal (as kittens they need to eat more), we saw this pregnant cat. Thinking she might have already scoped out a place to give birth, we stalked her, as she walked up the stairs of a block nearby, to the second floor.
Turns out, that this cat had already given birth outside a flat on the second floor.
When we found the litter, they had just only opened their eyes, meaning they were 10 days old.
Her litter consists of 4 white kittens, 2 grey-black ones, 2 grey tabbies, and 1 white with tabby stripes.
Aswat has already been notified, and also gave the mother cat some cat food. He is also on the lookout for potential adopters. We have been monitoring the mother cat and her litter almost every evening now, and recently met all the people who have been helping to feed her, synchronising our feeding schedules. Andy and I are on dinner duty, dry food. The upstairs neighbour feeds her in the morning, and the neighbourhood cat lady feeds her in the evening (canned food).
One of the white ones have already been adopted, which is a good thing, because that one was the skinniest and has a better chance of survival being hand-fed with kitten formula. 8 kittens, 8 teats on the mother cat, much less fighting amongst the kittens.
The kittens are still being cleaned up after their mother after they eat, meaning she licks their behinds to induce excretions, thereafter licking them clean. But soon, the kittens will start to pee and poo like grown-up cats. 8 kittens will be too much for the neighbours and the family living in the flat the kittens now live outside of.
The mother is a cautious cat, but very friendly once she gets to know you. The kittens fathers are likely to be the brother of Mommy cat at our block - white, possibly cross-Siamese - and a grey and black tabby cat.
And it also looks like this mother cat is Squirrel's mother.
Will update more on them soon, and when I can good pictures on them. 8 personalities to profile, lots of work!
new mother
Been busy with our latest discovery: a stray cat near our place gave birth about three weeks ago, to a litter of nine kittens. She is currently stationed outside a neighbour's house. Nine kittens are a huge burden to the mother.
Since then, most of the cat community has rallied to help feed the mother cat. One of the kittens has already been successfully adopted by a lady experienced with bottle-feeding young kittens. Thankfully, she had taken the skinniest one of the litter, one of four white ones. This kitten will now have a better chance at survival.
Pictures so far are a little bit hazy, but will try to post some soon.
Kittens will be ready to leave their mother at about 8 weeks. Any sooner will require round-the-clock bottle-feeding.
Since then, most of the cat community has rallied to help feed the mother cat. One of the kittens has already been successfully adopted by a lady experienced with bottle-feeding young kittens. Thankfully, she had taken the skinniest one of the litter, one of four white ones. This kitten will now have a better chance at survival.
Pictures so far are a little bit hazy, but will try to post some soon.
Kittens will be ready to leave their mother at about 8 weeks. Any sooner will require round-the-clock bottle-feeding.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The story of Sylvester
Sylvester is a cross-breed between a Persian and a Burmese cat. He's black and white and one of Aswat's customers christened him Sylvester because he's lanky and black white just like the cartoon character Sylvester.
Sylvester has been at Angels Pet Shop for a while. He is such a poor thing... he was originally from a litter of kittens that the mother's owner wanted to dump at the market, but Aswat told that owner not to, and he would help to find them homes. (And also told them to please sterilize their cats, but well.) His siblings have all been adopted.
Initially Sylvester did find a new home. But the owner saw Sylvester playing with her own kitten, and complained that the 'kittens are slapping each other'. But they were just playing! Obviously not an owner that knows the play body language of kittens. So Sylvester was returned to the shop.
He was then taken in again by another owner. But the owner suddenly changed their minds and wanted a pure Persian kitten instead (not available at the shop at this moment). And then returned Sylvester again.
Sylvester has been rejected twice! And it's not his fault.
He has a very old-worldly charm to him. The Burmese cat is dominant in his physical appearance, hence he is like other local cats - short haired. He's affectionate once he gets to know you, enjoying a cuddle and loves to sit on my lap or cling to my chest, and generally very agreeable. He is not overly manja nor vocal, which is good for some people. But he loves to play! He enjoys playing with other kittens. When Tabby cat first came into the shop, she was at the time unsocialised and reserved, keeping to herself. But Sylvester broke the ice and started playing with her, initiating her into the group. Now Tabby enjoys climbing the cage walls even more than Sylvester, who loves to climb too.
He doesn't complain much, even when we had him dress up for a photo shoot!
More updates and pics on Sylvester soon. Meanwhile, enjoy! And spread the word! Sylvester is growing up soon, and if he cannot find a new home, he will probably have to be sent to SPCA.
adoption update!
Snowy and Nosey have been adopted!
There was a family whose grandma wanted their cat, so they decided to give their cat to her and find another kitten. They came to Angels Pet Shop, and when saw Sylvester, Tabby (at the shop), as well as Snowy and Nosey whom we brought down to show them, decided to take both Nosey and Snowy. They wanted a white cat, which Snowy was the only white one among them, and at Aswat's advice to take two so that Snowy won't be lonely, picked Nosey because she was so good with being carried and even-tempered towards her sister.
YAY!
The burden is off our hands, and our household is restored to some normalcy. Of course, we feel a bit strange without the two kittens around now, but at least now the house is less chaotic and we can focus our attention on the care of our own two kitties.
There was a family whose grandma wanted their cat, so they decided to give their cat to her and find another kitten. They came to Angels Pet Shop, and when saw Sylvester, Tabby (at the shop), as well as Snowy and Nosey whom we brought down to show them, decided to take both Nosey and Snowy. They wanted a white cat, which Snowy was the only white one among them, and at Aswat's advice to take two so that Snowy won't be lonely, picked Nosey because she was so good with being carried and even-tempered towards her sister.
YAY!
The burden is off our hands, and our household is restored to some normalcy. Of course, we feel a bit strange without the two kittens around now, but at least now the house is less chaotic and we can focus our attention on the care of our own two kitties.
Friday, May 8, 2009
heat
This is terrible - Mommy cat is on heat again, already! I supposed the kittens' father didn't intend to make a reunion so much as a booty call.
How do you know a female cat is on heat? Firstly, she becomes more vocal, meowing in a stranger pitch than usual. When patted, she will lower her behind, assuming the mating position. This position sometimes also causes her hind legs to go into a 'paddling' motion. She also becomes overly affectionate, but with Mommy cat, that is hard to tell, because she is already an affectionate cat. Cats go into their first heat at about 5 - 6 months old.
This means that, by the time (next month) we bring her to sterilize with the other neighbourhood cats, she would likely be pregnant again, at least halfway through gestation.
Something new that I learnt - lactating mothers do go into heat after all, perhaps it is a signal towards the end of her lactation.
How do you know a female cat is on heat? Firstly, she becomes more vocal, meowing in a stranger pitch than usual. When patted, she will lower her behind, assuming the mating position. This position sometimes also causes her hind legs to go into a 'paddling' motion. She also becomes overly affectionate, but with Mommy cat, that is hard to tell, because she is already an affectionate cat. Cats go into their first heat at about 5 - 6 months old.
This means that, by the time (next month) we bring her to sterilize with the other neighbourhood cats, she would likely be pregnant again, at least halfway through gestation.
Something new that I learnt - lactating mothers do go into heat after all, perhaps it is a signal towards the end of her lactation.
nosey so affectionate
OMG Nosey is so affectionate. Just the other day, she nose-kissed me, which is a sign of affection. Then, the next day, she licked my toes, which is the ULTIMATE sign of affection. And today, when I hugged her, she purred! So I nose-kissed her too. I think she is coming to enjoy cuddling, which is a good socialisation skill that should be built up from kittenhood. She never complains about hugs (unlike my Slinky), or showering, or at Snowy for snatching food away from her.
I just got a call asking about Nosey! If this family does take Nosey, it would be great as she is gentle and affectionate in nature, also curious (see washing machine picture below) and cute with that button nose. She will warm many hearts, just as she has already warmed mine.
I just got a call asking about Nosey! If this family does take Nosey, it would be great as she is gentle and affectionate in nature, also curious (see washing machine picture below) and cute with that button nose. She will warm many hearts, just as she has already warmed mine.
why cats?
When I first renovated my home I was warned that my wooden laminate flooring won't be very accommodating for dogs. Also, because I am not a big fan of small pooches, (my dog from my teenage years was a big brown mongrel), I felt that dogs were not going to be possible in this home of mine.
My cat ownership days started with Slinky adopting herself to me. She was then a young slinky kitten, and through the years she has gotten to know me, and started following me home.
I felt that a cat was all right to have, they being very easy to upkeep because they self-clean, and use litter trays instead of newspapers which is rather messier. Also, cats don't mind your not being around most of the day, and at the time being a workaholic, I knew cats were better suited for my lifestyle. At least you don't have to walk your cat everyday.
Potential pet owners should take note of their own lifestyle and personality before selecting a pet companion. If you like to go out for walks, jogs or blading, then dogs are definitely your thing. If you like slobbering attention when you come home instead of a pet sitting at your door, wishing you a silent welcome, then you definitely want a dog. Cats can be vocal and affectionate too, but just not as passionately as dogs.
You also have to realise that kittens and puppies are going to be playful, but as they grow older they tend to become more sedentary. You have to make allowance for these growth changes if you want to start rearing animals from young. There was a cocker spaniel at the pet shop the other day, abandoned by his owners, because they got a new puppy and didn't want to keep him anymore because he had grown up. Children should not be encouraged to do 'out with the old, in with new' when it comes to pets! Imagine if we decided to go the hospital and said, 'My baby is now an adult, I want a refund so I can have another baby. I don't want this grown-up thing anymore.' Well, it is the same thing.
Another reason as to the question 'why cats', is that I only ever adopt animals, I never will buy them. Because the stray animals around here are mostly cats, cats it shall be. If Slinky was a dog, I would have taken her in anyway.
My cat ownership days started with Slinky adopting herself to me. She was then a young slinky kitten, and through the years she has gotten to know me, and started following me home.
I felt that a cat was all right to have, they being very easy to upkeep because they self-clean, and use litter trays instead of newspapers which is rather messier. Also, cats don't mind your not being around most of the day, and at the time being a workaholic, I knew cats were better suited for my lifestyle. At least you don't have to walk your cat everyday.
Potential pet owners should take note of their own lifestyle and personality before selecting a pet companion. If you like to go out for walks, jogs or blading, then dogs are definitely your thing. If you like slobbering attention when you come home instead of a pet sitting at your door, wishing you a silent welcome, then you definitely want a dog. Cats can be vocal and affectionate too, but just not as passionately as dogs.
You also have to realise that kittens and puppies are going to be playful, but as they grow older they tend to become more sedentary. You have to make allowance for these growth changes if you want to start rearing animals from young. There was a cocker spaniel at the pet shop the other day, abandoned by his owners, because they got a new puppy and didn't want to keep him anymore because he had grown up. Children should not be encouraged to do 'out with the old, in with new' when it comes to pets! Imagine if we decided to go the hospital and said, 'My baby is now an adult, I want a refund so I can have another baby. I don't want this grown-up thing anymore.' Well, it is the same thing.
Another reason as to the question 'why cats', is that I only ever adopt animals, I never will buy them. Because the stray animals around here are mostly cats, cats it shall be. If Slinky was a dog, I would have taken her in anyway.
oh by the way, THAT pet 'farm' in Pasir Ris
Rumour has it that a popular pet 'farm' in Pasir Ris isn't treating animals right. Here are a few things that made it into the grapevine:
1) They feed their animals with plain white rice, and a few kibbles of dry food.
2) The dry food is often expired product.
3) Because the food is expired, there are bugs in them. Hence, they sift out the bugs from the food before feeding it to the animals
4) The 'backyard' where the breeding goes on, is a bit like a place where comfort women used to be imprisoned for the Japanese soldiers. The animals are forced to breed, with human help, that is they physically put the male on top of the female to force them to mate.
5) Needless to say, this 'backyard' probably is not up to AVA standards.
So, don't support this place. Don't buy animals. Adopt. There are more than enough unwanted animals around in need of a home.
1) They feed their animals with plain white rice, and a few kibbles of dry food.
2) The dry food is often expired product.
3) Because the food is expired, there are bugs in them. Hence, they sift out the bugs from the food before feeding it to the animals
4) The 'backyard' where the breeding goes on, is a bit like a place where comfort women used to be imprisoned for the Japanese soldiers. The animals are forced to breed, with human help, that is they physically put the male on top of the female to force them to mate.
5) Needless to say, this 'backyard' probably is not up to AVA standards.
So, don't support this place. Don't buy animals. Adopt. There are more than enough unwanted animals around in need of a home.
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