Studying...with Cats.

So I turned off my facebook accounts for the final showdown of finals and papers to eliminate ONE distraction. There are plenty of others right here I have to contend with daily...Here's SOME of what you missed.

What, ma? You can't see?

No, Eko, I can't see!

 Is this better?

NO!

 OK, hold on a second. Let me just...

 OOO! Marker. I should knock this off the desk. 

OK, ma, how's this?

NO! Can you, please, just sit on my lap or go somewhere else? 

 I got it! How about this!

Nope, you're still on my book.

 Jeez, ma, it was just one paw and it was in the margin. Is this better?

No, Eko, I can't see my other screen.

What other screen?

 Hi mama. Look, I'm sitting on top of the cat scratcher.

Good job, Raptor.

 Oh, this screen. Are these flash cards?

Yes, Eko, they are flash cards.

 Hmm, I think this one's wrong, ma.

Which one's wrong, Eko?

 This one right here. This one's wrong.

 Hi mama. 

I caught a mouse, get it?

Yes, Raptor, very funny.

 Tigra? What are you doing?

Smelling your feet. 

 Mom, there's a lot of cats in here. 

I know honey, it's temporary. 

 LOOK! I'm a bridge!

 Mama, I don't like the studying and paper writing, when is it over?

Soon, Raptor. 

 I just want hugs, kisses and snuggles.

I know, Raptor, almost over.

 Mom, do you want some help?

 Yes, Tigra. Thank you.

Hmm, Eko's right, that one was wrong.

 And then I let the kittens out...

BUT, finals are over and papers are submitted. I have a lot of snuggling to catch up on and kittens who need homes. 

Stay tuned!

Reunited

North Brooklyn Cats offered us one of their spay spots at the clinic on Tuesday, so off we went Monday night to go get the rest of the family.

The resident cat greeted us and we headed out to the back yard. 

 This was one of the fastest trappings ever. All three were eating in the drop, but the little charmer walked out. I figured we'd get him later and pulled the string to get the other two. Sure enough, the little guy ran of scared, but was back within minutes heading straight for the owner of the house for some cuddles. Sarah simply placed him in a carrier and we were on our way. Mama will be spayed today, Tuesday, the kittens will have to wait. 

Here they are, ready to be reunited with their little sister.  

 This is the charmer. 

 This one is a little shy,

and adorable.

 These guys are much bigger than we had anticipated, this kitten weighing in at 2.9 lbs! The other black one was 2.8 and the little girl was only 2.1. 

She was happy to see her litter mates. The two shy ones hung out in the back, and the charmer was front and center.  

 I hear we may have some foster/adoptive homes lined up. These two will need some socialization. Wish them luck!

Thanks to everyone involved: The residents of the house for caring for these guys and allowing us to bring a shelter for mama so she can remain there and keep warm, the construction crew for feeding, reaching out to Sarah and networking for placement of the kittens, Sarah for coordinating, connecting everyone and transport, Lisa, of North Brooklyn Cats, for offering us a spot at the clinic and recovering mama, and the foster/adoptive homes who stepped up to help these kittens. I love when communities work together like this. Sometimes we each only have a small part to offer, but when everyone pitches in and all the parts come together, we succeed. Nice job guys. 

Excellent example of how anyone can do TNR.

"Recon"

My friend, Sarah, messaged my friends and me yesterday about a mama and kittens in Bushwick. Her contractor reached out to her for help as they have been feeding them and want get mom, who is feral, and her kittens either TNR'd or into good homes. Sarah asked if I could help.

My response, "I can do recon and help with trapping, but I can't foster or recover." So off we went. Here's what we found.

 One feral mama and 3 beautiful kittens. The woman who lives in the house had just returned after work was done on the house, she informed us that one had an eye infection and they had helped another with an eye infection about a month ago. So we popped the top on some wet food and tried to get a closer look.

 This is the one the woman, Carla, was speaking about. First on the scene and TOTALLY friendly to us. She says her boyfriend wants to adopt this one, but they have not decided. 

This kitten is so ready for a home. Pouncing and prancing around the yard, showing off and rubbing and rolling on things for attention. I assure you, this was ridiculous. 

 And then there were two. These kittens look great. Eyes could use some more treatment, but shiny coat, healthy body condition, great appetite and seemingly happy.

 Mama was next, and her little mini-me was still reluctant to join the party.

 But she gave in. 

 Mama kept a close eye on me, I was a little too close. When I finally got a good look at the little one, her eyes looked terrible. One was severely inflamed and the other was sealed shut, so I couldn't see. I went sans traps and carrier intentionally so I would not be tempted to bring anyone home. I regretted this choice. I had to get that kitten and treat her eyes. So...I made my move, and she made hers, and it was an epic feral kitten fight! She landed a few good bites, but I held on and we got a milk crate on top of her. Now it was time to get creative, we found a box, transferred her, and... 

 Voila!

 This poor little thing was terrified. I hate taking kittens from their moms, especially in a traumatic grab. 

 I had apologized to her mama and assured her I'd take good care of her and she'd be safe and loved. Then Sarah and I extended that assurance to this little baby. 

 Poor thing, those eyes.

 I wiped them clean with some warm water.

 I was happy to see the left one looked OK once I got it open. 

 She had a feral freak out and showed impressive skills at trying to climb walls and ping-ponging around the room until she found a hiding place, so I decided a crate was in order. She ran immediately to the litter box, as expected, and I went on a search around my apartment for eye meds.

 I found them. I reached in, wrapped her up and medicated her eyes. Then, this happened.

 And this.

 And a little bit of this. Isn't she cute next to the little bite marks she left on my hand?! She got a better grip on my ring finger;)

 I placed her in the crate for a little rest. 

This is one of those projects where a network of people are pitching in what they have (transportation, trapping, fostering, networking, donations, etc.) to help these guys. It's really great to see people work together. We need a foster home for 2 or maybe all three of these kittens. Please email me at bigcitylittlekitty@yahoo.com if you can foster or would like to adopt. They will need some socialization. You can also help by sharing with your social networks to help us find foster/forever homes. To follow this project and this little girl's progress you can follow us on Facebook at BigCity LittleKitty.  

Thank you! 

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.