My Kitten Garden - Growing fosters for Families

09/02/2024

09/02/2024

Thanks to adoptive mom of Phoebe, who was previously known as Shiro, we have some updated pictures. Phoebe is a lucky happy girl, who likes to talk, plays with the other kitties in her home, and loves begging for treats! She is a gorgeous girl, with her exotic mixed eyes - one blue and one green. We love getting updates about our previous garden babies. Seeing them grown and loved just fills our hearts and makes all the time spent nurturing them so worthwhile. I love what we do! Helping these babies grow and find wonderful homes like Phoebe’s is the best feeling!
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09/01/2024

Not a foster but thought you all would enjoy this story. If I ever get to NY I’ll be sure to stop at the Algonquin to visit!

08/30/2024

It's true that some actually feral cats prefer to live as barn cats than indoors. Just remember that barn cats still need to be fed and looked after, provided shelter and medical care. When adopting a barn cat, be prepared to properly acclimate them to their new territory, confining them in part of the barn or whatever area will be their new home, before completely releasing them. After multiple days or even weeks, the cats identify the new place as safe with food resources, and will happily stay, and work to keep your outbuildings rodent free.

We have barn cats ready to go today, more in the pipeline!
These cats were brought in as strays or have arrived via Animal Control situations, either way they have shown that indoor life is not for them. They are stressed being confined and prefer their freedom.
We have singles and buddies that arrived together. Some are friendly, some are timid.

08/30/2024

Gonadectomize - another way to say spay or neuter! Do it as early as 2 months/2 pounds and no later than 5 months. And if it’s a female, preferably before 4 months, as those little girls can actually get pregnant as early as 4 months. Don’t let your cats contribute to the feline overpopulation problem.

At what age should kittens be spayed and neutered? The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says no later than 5 months - and we agree!

We teach our vet students to spay and neuter at around 8 weeks/2 pounds. That assures they will never contribute to the overpopulation of cats,

From the AVMA: Recommendations for feline patients
The AVMA endorses the consensus document put forth by the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization for Age of Spay and Neuter Surgery, which recommends cats not intended for breeding be gonadectomized by five months of age. The document represents a clear and evidence-based position that promotes individual animal health, contributes to effective population control, and can be communicated clearly to clients. It has broad support among veterinary medical and cat breeding associations, having also been endorsed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, American Animal Hospital Association, Winn Foundation, Catalyst Council, Cat Fancier’s Association, and The International Cat Association.""
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare/gonadectomy-resources-veterinarians

08/29/2024

08/27/2024

One very important aspect of maintaining peace in your multicat family is how you set up resources and retreats.

08/26/2024

For anyone involved with helping community cats, this looks like a good plan.

08/26/2024

Sparta and Shell have left the garden for their new homes! They were plucked up by another of our fosters who has a soft spot for the Siamese look and was ready to add to her family. They were the two slightly older kittens and are ready for spay surgery so it was perfect timing for them.

08/25/2024

If you or a friend wants a therapy pet or an emotional support pet, this is a good read.

SCAM ALERT! Some people claim to have therapy kittens/cats for “adoption”. (They show up on my page frequently) In order for a cat to be a legitimate therapy animal it must be one year old, have lived with the owner at least six months, and pass a legitimate therapy animal evaluation with the owner. Some scammers call them comfort cats or emotional support cats to imply that the kitten/cat has had special training or socialization. They are unethical breeders as well as scammers. One person claimed that her eight week old “therapy” kittens had $6000 worth of training, the “adoption” fee was $2000. Mom is a certified dog and cat training instructor, there is NO way that an eight week old animal can have that much training or socialization.
Don’t be fooled by a fancy looking document as proof of legitimate therapy animal certification, you can buy one online from the many certificate mills for a ridiculous fee or print one at home. There are two kinds of people that buy these fraudulent certificates: those who are uneducated and those who are intentionally deceptive. Be careful dear friends!

08/23/2024

All you have to do is adopt! ❤️🙏

08/22/2024

While enjoying the adorable kitty pics, if you fall in love or have been looking for your new kitty baby, I want you to know that almost all are either available or will be available for adoption.
We currently foster for the Eaton County Humane Society’s Kitten Konnection, which is also affiliated with Companion Cats in Battle Creek. I will attach a link to the Echs website, which has an adoption application you can submit online. You can meet these kittens in person, either at an adoption event (usually at the Pet Supplies Plus in Battle Creek), or by appointment at an agreed on location. The phone # is 269-360-2825.
Once you have an approved application, I am willing to allow visits to our home to meet and adopt one of our foster garden babies.
We love them all, and our goal for every one is to find them a purrmanent home with loving responsible pet parents. I also ask that you share our posts with your Facebook friends to help them find a home. (I’m working on learning Instagram too so I can share there also.)
Thank you for your interest ❣️

Eaton County Humane Society (ECHS) strives to ensure a lifetime of loving care for animals by reducing overpopulation, increasing adoption, and fostering humane values.

08/21/2024

I’ve been taking lots of pictures of our new garden residents, and tagging the pictures with their names. Sajak, the older kitten who is waiting to be chosen for adoption, loves spending time with them in the kitten room. He’s such a good foster greeter❣️ Our new kittens are showing us that they’re not just gorgeous, but are super sweet.

08/20/2024

UPDATE: We’re seeing lots of interest in these kittens, and we’re very happy and excited about that. Just want to be clear that they are not quite available yet, and that all applications will be considered equally and timely. Applications for pairs MAY receive preference.

The seven Siamese kittens arrived in our Kitten Garden Monday afternoon. We got them all sorted and settled and have started getting to know who they are. Two of the seven are actually about 3 weeks older than the others, but they all came from the same farm, so are surely cousins. They aren’t quite as skittish as they first seemed, and all the warm fuzzy beds and variety of toys is quickly helping them forget to be wary. These babies are going to be fun. Meet Shannon, Simone, Shell, Sparta, Somer, Seymore and Spooner!

08/20/2024

Wow. Yes, help if you can.

I know this guy would have grown up to be a big-cheeked tom cat 🐈‍⬛ without the team effort that went into saving him and his siblings.

He probably would’ve have grown up scarred and wounded; his ears probably torn. 🤕 He would be dealing with the dangers of roaming outdoors. Food might be scarce for him. During his many fights, he probably would’ve contracted FIV. His hard life would have been short.

Instead, he has been saved. 🙌🏼 Who doesn’t want that for all the cats out there trying to survive?

If you are able, fix your cats. If you are able, fix unowned cats. If you’re able, fix other people’s cats.

08/18/2024

Morning snuggles with Sajak. You can adopt him and have his sweet love.

08/18/2024

Gumdrop is focused intently on Sajak. What do you suppose is percolating in that sweet mischievous mind?

08/16/2024

Don't line food bowls up right next to each other. Cats aren't social eaters. Also, slide the food bowls away from the wall so your cats can eat while facing the room instead of with their backs to it.

08/16/2024

❤️👏🥰
Our sweet Nickajack and Tompkin have been adopted and have their own home now! I’m so happy for them. They came to us with two sisters on April 20, just turning 3 weeks old and still bottle feeding. We got them through baby vaccinations and minor illnesses, weaning and learning all the fun things about being a spoiled kitten. This is one of the hard parts of fostering, and also one of the very best. These boys will have a life together in a home that will love them, and all we did in this foster home has been preparation for this day and forward. Bless all adopters, and now we have room to help more kittens needing help!

Tompkin and Nickajack adopted together.

08/15/2024

Road trip to pick up these seven cuties! Siamese lovers take note - 2 to 4 weeks and they will be available to adopt!

08/14/2024

What we love to do.

08/13/2024

Hummingbird watching with Sajak and Nickajack.

08/13/2024

My honey boys, Nickajack and Tompkin, say howdy this morning. They’ve been busy playing with friend Sajak and are considering nap time next. They’re looking for more entertainment since all the other kittens were adopted and the neighbor kids are back in school. They love playing with kids. Got a busy active family that could use some feline love?

08/11/2024

First two adoptions today are Gnocchi and Felicia at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan