Another Box of Kittens

26/01/2024

Found a hungry baby and a hungry mama today ❤️

26/01/2024

When my friends carry cat food in their purse vs when I carry cat food in my purse.

11/01/2024

Charlie is almost 4 months old now! Not so shy anymore, but still refuses to be carried. I’ve never had this behavior with any of my rescues! How am I ever going to get him to the vet when he’s full grown👀

At 4 months old (in the next two weeks) he will be old enough to be neutered. We will go in for this procedure as soon as possible because something strange is afoot here at ABK. My grown male cats, Mr Big and Bono, are spraying inside our house, and of course they’ve been neutered for years and aren’t supposed to be spraying anything anymore. Ive done some research on this and I found out that this behavior could be triggered by having an unneutered male cat around. It’s a territory-claiming reaction possibly triggered by Charlie being inside as he’s hitting sexual maturity. Who knows. So for LOTS of reasons, Charlie is having a snip-snip very soon!
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09/01/2024

These are the kinds of things that make me jealous of other people. 🐾🐾

☕🏤🏠🏤🚲 Cat ladder - Bern, Switzerland

06/01/2024

Everyone needs someone to love. 🐾❤️

In Chile’s oldest and most overcrowded prison, the inmates have found solace in the hundreds of stray cats.

05/01/2024

Well now that I’ve seen a mummified kitten with my own eyes, I feel like I should’ve done more for the kittens I’ve lost over these last few years.

28/12/2023

No matter where in the world we are, we seem to find the animals. No matter what restaurant we choose, we always take home something extra that a cat would like. No matter what, we always feed the strays before we leave. It’s the mark we like to leave behind! 🐾🐕‍🦺🐈.

28/12/2023

There isn’t a better inside perspective into the things we think are funny, the things we think are important and the things that make us “us” than what you’ll find in this video.

26/12/2023

The Sleeping Baladies of Ramses III.

23/12/2023

Night time is play time and Charlie is officially invited to the party now!!

Not present: Charlotte because she doesn’t like to play with others, and Briseis because well guys, she can’t see 😅

22/12/2023

Well. The shy days are over. Now we have a kitten who sleeps in the back of the closet all day long, but then comes out at night and holds Zoomies sessions All. Night. Long. An introverted insomniac. It is still impossible to hold him. He goes full feral once his feet are not on the ground.

Anybody looking for a kitten just like this one???? 😂😂

20/12/2023

The resident cat at GEM!

15/12/2023

Our latest rescue fail continues to grow and thrive. We call him Charlie, and he still lives mostly in the bedroom. He is by far the shyest kitten we’ve ever rescued, and at two months old, his personality has been mostly established. He is a bona fide scaredy cat!

24/11/2023

This could be you.

Adopt a kitten 🩶

22/11/2023

Free Palestine 🇸🇩

17/11/2023

He still doesn’t have a name. 😢 And he needs a home. By not giving him a name, I am refusing to think of him as mine. But it’s wrong. It feels sad to not give him a name. Or a home.

Every rescuer I know has more animals than they ever dreamed of. We keep the ones who don’t have homes because we can’t bear the thought of what would happen to them if we don’t. But I have six cats and a dog, and all are rescues. This is too many. I have done my part!

And so now we have this kitten, who I took in only because someone contacted me and promised him a home. They came to me! And now they’ve changed their mind. How convenient. How easy.

No big deal, right?

It is. It’s a very big deal.

11/11/2023

Even after over 80 kitten rescues, I am still surprised at how different all kitten personalities are, varying drastically even in kittens that are raised in similar (almost identical) environments.

This little guy absolutely does not like to be picked up. He is an epic snuggler and he wants to be touched and petted and a scritched almost obsessively, but don’t pick him up! He cries when I leave the room but hides when I come back in. He crawls into my lap or my neck when I sit next to him, but he runs when my hands go for his belly. When he is left alone, he is calm and sweet and affectionate. But when he is lifted and moved, he becomes fully wild. And he’s been socialized since he was just three weeks old! He has never been in distress. I don’t get it. Where’s the kitten development class… because I need to enroll.

So once again, I am learning that, just like human babies, God makes every kitten different and special.

10/11/2023

I usually name my kittens after TV shows or something from pop culture. We’ve had Christmas kittens, Ramadan kittens, World Cup kittens, SATC kittens, Dexter kittens, Dukes of Hazzard kittens, Soda Shop kittens…

I’m consumed with the heartache in Gaza. What is an Arabic word for hope, triumph, strength, endurance, persistence…. You get my drift.

Let’s name this little guy something that reminds us to keep fighting for Palestine! 🇸🇩

06/11/2023

If you remember back to last month and what happened to Coco, you’ll understand what I mean when I say Coco broke me. I have had a very hard time, since she died, finding the strength to help tiny, sick kittens. But the kittens…. they keep coming whether I’m ready for them or not.

Meet our latest guest at ABK. He hasn’t been named yet, and we are looking for a home for him. He was rescued not only from a life of living on the street, but also from a life of blindness, thanks to the kindness of his rescuer When I received him, he was clean and fresh, a great eater and a perfect pooper. I wish all rescuers had Noha’s heart. She has changed this baby’s life.

For now, I am praying he will change mine too, and I hope this little guy will help me trust myself again, because my confidence in rescuing and caring for our most vulnerable babies, really took a hit last month.

Say a prayer for him, and for me! And if you know someone who needs a kitten, I’ve got one for you.

03/10/2023

If you are a rescuer, or if you’ve ever loved a rescue animal, read this.

Thanks for sending this to me, Dad. I needed it.

My Dear Human,
I see that you are crying, for it is my moment to leave. Don't cry, please. I want to explain some things to you.
You're sad because I left, but I'm glad I met you.
How many dogs and cats and birds like me die daily without meeting someone special like you?
I know it saddens you my departure, but I had to go now.
I want to ask you not to blame yourself for anything. I heard you sobbing that you should have done something else for me. Don't say that, you've done a lot for me! Without you I would have known nothing of the beauty I carry with me today.
You must know that we animals live the present intensely and we are very wise: we enjoy every little thing every day, and forget the bad past quickly.
Our lives begin when we know love, the same love you gave me, my angel without wings and two legs.
Know that even if you find an animal that is seriously injured, and that you only have a little bit of time in this world, you provide a huge service by accompanying you in your final transition.
None of us likes to be alone, except when we realize it's time to leave.
Maybe for you it's not so important that one of you is next to us caressing us and holding our paw, helps us go in peace.
No more crying, please. I'll be happy. I have in memory the name you gave me, the warmth of your house that in this time became mine. I take the sound of your voice talking to me, even though I don't always understand what you were saying to me.
I carry in my heart every caress you gave me.
Everything you did was very valuable to me and I thank you endlessly, I don't know how to tell you, because I don't speak your language, but surely in my eyes you could see my gratitude.
I'm just gonna ask for two favors. Wash your face and start smiling.
Remember how good we live together these moments, remember the antics I made to cheer you up.
Relive like me all the good we share in this time.
And do not say you will not adopt another animal, because you have suffered a lot from my departure. Without you I would not live the beauties I lived.
Please don't do this! There are many like me waiting for someone like you.
Give them what you gave me, please, they need it just like I needed you.
Don't keep the love you have to give, for fear of suffering.
Follow my advice, cherish the good you share with each of us, recognizing that you are an angel to us animals, and that without people like you our life would be harder than sometimes it is.
Follow your noble task, now it's up to me to be your angel.
I will accompany you in your path and help you help others like me.
I will talk to other animals who are here with me, I will tell you everything you have done for me and I will point and say proudly: “that's my family.”
Tonight, when you look at the sky and see a blinking star I want you to know that it's me flashing an eye; warning you that I arrived well and telling you "thank you for the love you gave me".
I say goodbye now not saying "goodbye", but "see you later.”
There is a special sky for people like you, the sky where we go and life rewards us by making us meet there.
I'll be waiting for you!"
Credits: Fb/Inature
Also Read This Heartwarming Story
https://fabliyo.com/an-incredible-rescue-a-mans-heroic-efforts-save-a-sea-turtle-trapped-on-land/v
keep fallowing Stay and Read for more stories

01/10/2023

I am heartbroken to tell you that we lost our sweet girl Coco today.

After her biggest weekend ever, , she woke up yesterday feeling like a million bucks, and she was stronger than ever. The prior two weeks with her had been lovely, but we battled a terrible case of constipation that finally (on Friday) resolved itself after an intense rehabilitation of her gut. (That’s for another post).

So…she was finally feeling good and we had the trip of a lifetime with her to Fayoum over the weekend. But late last night,I felt fever in her and she didn’t want to eat. (We will never know the cause of this fever and her loss of appetite.) As protocol demands, I began giving her water and formula with a syringe, 5ml at a time every hour through the night. I gave her 1 ml of Immulant this morning for the sugar boost and continued to push water slowly all night long. Her urine output remained good and she never lost any weight through the night, but this morning her breathing was shallow. Although she felt cooler, she still would not eat and continued to get more lethargic as the time passed. I had her at the vets office by opening this morning, where she was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Rescuers know, this means it was my fault.

The water I gave her throughout the night got into her lungs accidentally- it only takes a single drop- and it causes aspiration pneumonia. Like drowning. This was absolutely heartbreaking for me to hear and I will never forgive myself. So as you can imagine, I am just broken today, blaming myself for feeding her too quickly, not being fully awake during the overnight feedings, etc etc.

I share the experience, as always, so that others can learn from my mistakes. Syringe feeding is so dangerous, and yet it’s something I have grown very comfortable (too comfortable) doing. I wish I could count how many syringe feedings I have given in my time as a rescuer. It’s in the thousands, no doubt. But this one time, I didn’t take the proper (slow!!!) precautions. Now I have to reflect on what I’ve learned with this cruel lesson, and I hope my tragedy teaches us all something we can use for good in the future.

23/09/2023

Coco’s got some big plans over the next two weekends. Stay tuned for !

Coco will be available for adoption in six weeks! Pre-order NOW!!!

22/09/2023

It’s Friday morning and we’ve got a new baby in the house. In honor of our newest Grand Slam Champion, meet Coco.

09/09/2023

Feeding kittens on Moaz Street today was a bit hot, but the purrs of happiness and the way they clean and lick and groom themselves when their bellies are full is LITERALLY EVERYTHING GOOD IN THE WORLD wrapped up in tiny little sounds of contentment 🌍 that I could listen to All. Day. Long.

30/08/2023

Have you ever heard of “Non-Recognition Aggression”? Me neither, until recently.

As you know, we have a kitten rescue with six family cats, and we adopted them one year apart in pairs. In 2021, we rescued Big and Charlotte as newborns, and they are siblings. In early 2022, we rescued Briseis and Granita, who were both kittens. And back in the fall, we rescued Bono and Messi, who were both kittens. Since we started taking in rescues, over 80 in all, usually within just a couple of days everyone was sleeping together, grooming each other and playing. Big and Charlotte have always been superrr bonded, since birth (see them as kittens in Pic 1). There was a long stretch of time when Big and Granita were absolutely inseparable! Messi and Bono stuck like glue to each other in those first weeks, as the other four cats got used to them. And of course, Charlotte has always been the Mother Cat of our rescue. She has always loved everyone!

But these lovey-dovey days are over, and I’ll tell you why.

I researched “why aren’t my cats bonded anymore?” And I learned that inside cats who are only (or mostly) around each other, and certainly those who were raised together since babies, get along effortlessly because their scents never, ever change. In our situation, we moved to an apartment with a garden last year and now some of our cats (Big, Charlotte and Messi) jump our fence and roam the surrounding yards. They are in regular contact with other people’s pets and a few stray cats, too. So, when they come back home, everyone smells weird to them. Conversely, the cats who do not roam are constantly hissing because the roamers smell funny, too. Big and Charlotte in particular are constantly smacking each other (see them tonight, in Pic 2)! And they’re brother and sister!! 😢

Fortunately, there’s no one actually fighting, and nothing violent is happening at all. It’s simply a never-ending state of “Hey you. Back off.” They all sleep near each other, but not with each other. They eat next to each other, but not with each other. And there’s not much peer grooming anymore either, which makes me sad.

Non-Recognition Aggression. Google it!

25/08/2023

This is what Bono has to say about being forbidden to be on the kitchen counters. 🖕🏻

25/08/2023

We have a few more days left with our guest kitten, MishMish. He has been a kitten breath of fresh air around here for the last couple of weeks, and we have loved having a bit of baby energy with us again. He has adapted well to our home and will grow up to be a confident, curious and lovable cat. He has become familiar with all 6 kitties in our home, as well as becoming acquainted with our dog. With Big, Bono, Messi, Charlotte and Troy, he is now just one of the guys. Briseis and Granita are not big fans still, but they all peacefully coexist in the same spaces together.

So, if you still believe that your family pets will not accept new kittens into your family, I am telling you once again, to reconsider. Anything can happen if you have patience. I haven’t been wrong yet.

22/08/2023

ABK is now the proud sponsor of this beautiful Balady, who we named Gabriel! Read his story below.

If you cannot take in animals for rescue or foster, but you still want to do some really good work deep inside of Egypt’s animal crisis, please consider sponsoring one of Cairo’s baladis currently living at Baladi Mabsut. The cost to sponsor is 1500 per month (about $50 USD), which covers the dog’s food and any medical care. Contact Petra van Son to receive more information, or message me🐶❤️

Remember the shy guy hiding in the corner? The dog that came out of his shell with the help of a lovely lady that sponsors a dog in the same enclosure? Well, today we found a sponsor for this gorgeous boy. No longer hiding, interacting with other dogs and now a kind sponsor that will visit him soon. That's sounds like winning the lottery! We are so happy for him. The lady named him Gabriel and we think that name suits him very well. Please, say hi to Gabriel! 🐾

With the sponsorship of Gabriel there are 77 dogs left looking for a sponsor. Who will be next? Let's count down!

It costs 1500 egp to sponsor one of our residents ($50/ €45/ £38) via PayPal [email protected]
Instapay or Vodafone cash 01001500902 or message us for bank account details or local drop off points

19/08/2023

I am so sad to report this morning that FIP (Feline infectious Peritonitis) has claimed one of my Dad’s Kittens.

Actually, that’s not true. His kitten, Smidge, was euthanized in Texas (USA) yesterday after a positive diagnosis of FIP, which brings up the controversial topic of euthanasia, and the cultural b***y traps of this practice here in Egypt.

Anyone who does rescue work has had the misfortune of coming across animals who are so sick or so injured that they are beyond saving. FIP, for example, is almost always fatal. Not only that, but the end-of-life existence for animals with terminal illnesses (like FIP) or injuries (car accidents, human cruelty,etc), can be painful, merciless and long-lasting.

I have always been saddened at the resistance of local veterinarians (here in Egypt) to administer life-ending medications (euthanasia) when an animal is suffering or when death is imminent. Refusing to quickly end an animal’s suffering is, in my opinion, never the right choice, and I have yet to find a veterinarian who will do this for me when I have asked for it. I am always told, “All other measures must be exhausted first,” because Islam forbids euthanasia. This is so strange to me, because Islam is a faith defined by compassion.

To be fair, euthanasia is forbidden in Christianity also. Christians are also taught that it is wrong to take life from another. But in veterinary medicine, specifically, the common practice in most Western (Christian) societies is to show mercy, and to end the animal’s life quickly. Yes… There are many, many Christians who also side with Muslims on this issue, but euthanasia in veterinary care is much more widely accepted in these cultures than it is here in the Middle East.

Once my dad described Smidgen’s symptoms to me, I knew her diagnosis, and I was so, so thankful in that moment, we could quickly put an end to her pain. I am thankful she wasn’t here in Egypt, for sure. If there is something important I am missing in my understanding of why Islam forbids this practice, I would love to learn from you guys. Help me understand.