Saving Hitch

OK, I'll say it, and I don't say it very often, but...I NEED HELP!

I'm relocating Hitch to a feral cat sanctuary and costs are totaling $800.

Her fundraising page is HERE.

This is Hitch, one of the first times I ever met her, doing recon for a TNR project in 2009, with North Brooklyn Cats.

 She was a baby then, but old enough to be feral and not able to socialize. She was very curious, always watching us, interacting from a safe distance.

 She was trapped, spayed and released back to her colony. I did not manage this colony, but when one of the feeders was hit and killed by a truck, I filled in until the community started feeding regularly.

 She knew the sound of my voice, and came running when she heard my bike. She was adorable. I stopped feeding there, because they didn't need me anymore, and after that I popped by once in a while on a run or bike ride to say hello.

 In 2012, North Brooklyn Cats received a call that an exterminator was trapping cats at this colony. I headed over and there it was, a set trap laying in a puddle, from the thunderstorm the night before..., with the exterminator company's tag on it. I tripped the trap and, long story short, a summer long rescue mission was underway. Hitch was in terrible shape and something had changed with her. She no longer interacted with her colony and was very skittish (more than feral skittish, something else) - we found out she went missing for a while, and returned very different. We have no idea what happened. We relocated 4 of the remaining 6. Hitch came to my warehouse colony.

 She did very well here and was happy. She greeted me when I arrived, and followed me around while I refilled the feeders, waterers and litter boxes.

 Changes at this warehouse left Hitch in trouble again. She was very scared and uncomfortable and was living in a very tiny space in the ceiling. It was time for her to move on. But she's already lost 2 homes, is fearful, and another relocation just isn't an option. It's incredibly difficult to relocate ferals, and it's always risky.

 When we showed up to trap, she immediately headed down to the warehouse floor and got into a small corner where we couldn't reach her - either by trap or net.

 The next week, we showed up with netting to net off that whole area, and set traps at every escape point. We got her!

 She saw the vet, looks good, tested negative for FIV and FELV, her blood work is out for analysis and she received vaccination boosters and parasite control.

 The estimate to get Hitch safely to her sanctuary is $800. The sanctuary fee is $350, the vet bill was $370 (copy available upon request) and the fuel estimate for next week's journey is $80.

 She's ready to go! We just need a little help from our friends! Anything you can spare is appreciated.

 Very soon, Hitch will be in a safe, well maintained, feral cat sanctuary. She'll be surrounded by trees, grass and fresh air. I hope she'll again be happy and worry-free. Please help! 

Her fundraising page is HERE!

The full link is below if you can't click on the "HERE" hyperlink.

http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/saving-hitch/156909

THANK YOU!!!

Buster needs a foster or furrever home by 3/15. Please share!

Hi, I'm Buster! My foster mom is moving and I need a new foster home, or better yet, I'd really prefer a furrever home. Here's what I have to offer:

I'm adorable,

 

I can purrfectly execute Q pose,

I photo bomb like a boss,

 I can do #waytooexcitedguy face,

 I play the keyboard,

I'm pretty mellow,

 and I don't need much. All I need is food, water and a little love. I like catnip too, catnip would be a bonus. 

You can learn more about me by reading my blog post. Big City Little Kitty found me, but I can't live in her house because her cat, Mr. Eko, and I don't get along. I don't really like other cats, if you foster or adopt me, I'd like it to just be me and you:)

My foster mom is leaving NY March 15th, I really need a safe, loving new home. Can you please share this on your social media sites? Big City Little Kitty shares, but she's always talking to the same people, your page might introduce me to someone new, and they might be able to give me a home!
If you want to adopt or foster me, contact Big City Little Kitty at bigcitylittlekitty@yahoo.com or go to my petfinder post.

Thanks!

Cocktails and Kittens!

Raptor is still in need of a loving furrever home. This has become a challenge because she is very nervous and defensive at adoption events, and to potential adopters who come to meet her. She is the sweetest girl, but she needs time to get to know new people. I've decided to start having "Cocktails and Kittens" on Saturday nights, to introduce her to new people and try to reduce her anxiety around strangers. This kicked off last night with our dear friend, and friend to all animals, Rebecca!

 I was prepared with food and wine for us girls, and for the cats I had treats, toys and some new, fancy cat dancers! The cat dancers were a HIT! Even Oki came out, and she prefers to stay under the bed when visitors come by. Last night, she could not resist! Oh, and Rebecca brought over some peanut butter Newman-Os, OMC, how did I not know about these?!

 Eko was confused - "Wait, ma, I thought we were doing this with treats. What's up?"

"No, Eko, we're using the cat dancers. You guys have had plenty of treats already tonight."

 Then Raptor chimed in, "I could go for some more treats."

"No, Raptor, go back and play."

 And she did. She was engaged with Rebecca, and the cat dancer, for the evening. She still slipped some diva in here and there, but for the most part, she did very well. 

 I was really impressed with Oki! It took her about an hour, but she came out, and she stayed out and played for the rest of the night. I couldn't believe it! Note, I was totally digging Rebecca's sneakers, and I think Raptor was too. She's curled up at her feet here. 

 Good girl, Raptor. I'm so thankful, and I think this is a great way to expose her to new people. I hope it helps her find her furrever home. Thank you so much, Rebecca! 

Cocktails and Kittens!

Beautiful Raptor is ready for her furrever home

The beautiful Raptor is ready for her furrever home.

Photo by Eva Prokop

Raptor came to my foster home as a wee wittle kitty

She was all alone, so she quickly formed a very tight bond with her foster mama.

You can read all about how she grew up on her last post, Raptor.

Raptor's a big girl, now.

Photo by Eva Prokop

She's 6 months old, she's smart, beautiful, curious and look at all that orange! She's a very special kitty.

Photo by Eva Prokop

Of course, considering she looks like a direct descendant of Bast (or Bastet), it is obvious this little goddess is special.

Cats in Ancient Time, English Primary Fun

Photo by Eva Prokop

Raptor was adopted a couple of months ago, to a couple who fell in love with her early on. They had adopted Marco from me previously and Raptor was to be his new friend.

They had a rough start and she struggled with the transition, but eventually they worked things out. Sadly, the addition of another cat in the home made their dad's allergies too much to handle. So Raptor came back to Big City Little Kitty. Perhaps it was too soon for her to leave the nest.

Photo by Eva Prokop

Raptor has taken it all in stride and has stayed positive.

It takes Raptor a while to make friends with other kitties, after all she was an only child for so long, but once she makes friends with a new kitty, they are the best of friends.
Pirate Jenny was her first friend.

Then, there was Lucky.

And her current BFF, Spin.

She has a very special human friend, too. He has come to adoption events to love on her since she was a baby. He'd love to adopt her, and we'd love it too, but his mama and papa already have full houses of fur friends.

Raptor is the sweetest, most proficient snuggler I have ever met, and her favorite place is face-to-face with mama.

However, she is very nervous at adoption events and needs time to get to know new people, I can totally relate.

Photo by Eva Prokop

If you would like to adopt Raptor, please contact me at bigcitylittlekitty@yahoo.com. She's amazing and will greet you each and every time you walk in the door with face rubs and kisses.
If you can't adopt Raptor, but would like to help her get adopted, please share this post. She does not do well at adoption events and needs some exposure. She's a sweet baby and she deserves a loving home.

Photo by Eva Prokop

Until she finds one, she will be safe and loved right here with me.

Special thanks to Eva Prokop for taking such beautiful pictures of Raptor.

Buster's Settling in to his Foster Home

I spoke with Buster's foster parents today. They say he is doing very well! 

His foster mama posted this picture:

"Buster is settling in just fine."

 2 words: Awesome + Sauce!

He was very nervous at first. They told me that for the first few days he would hide under the couch when they returned to the apartment after work or being out. Now, when they come home he's there waiting for them! OOOOO! They are so lucky;)

I also hear he sleeps on the little couch at the foot of their bed!

What a lucky guy, I am so grateful to his foster parents for taking him in and showing him love and compassion while he is in search of his furrever home. What a wonderful, generous act. 

Aaaaand! This is their first cat adventure! How exciting to learn the wonderful world of cats! 

His foster mama also posted this pic:

"Keyboard cat taking a summer daze nap."

I love it! 

Enjoy your time with your loving, foster family, Buster. 

I'll see you tomorrow for the adoption event!

xoxoxoxoxo

Buster's in a foster home!

A lovely couple came to Muddy Paws last weekend. They were unsure if they wanted to adopt a cat, but were open to the idea of fostering. I told them to think on it and let me know...they did.

A few days later I had a goodbye [for now] play date with Buster before I dropped him off.

He's soooo fun!

He loves catnip too, see last post. 

He is getting to know the laser better, but is still a little scared of it. First time EVER in this house, TOO FUNNY!

I won't show you how he feels about the cat dancer, PANIC! I left that in the other room.

This is how I left him at his foster home. He was perfectly fine just sitting in his carrier, thank you very much! 

That was Saturday, I checked in with his foster parents today and they said:

"It's going well! He was spending a lot of time hiding under our couch, but yesterday and today he has started to get a lot more comfortable." 

and 

"He seems to get afraid when he hears people walking up and down the stairs in the building"

AWE:) I love that little muffin:)

He was a little scared with me too at first, I told them it sounded like things were going well and I'd see them next weekend to take him to the adoption event. 

Good luck, Buster.