Oh, What A Month

So much has happened since I last posted, and I was incredibly busy because of it.  I just didn't have the time to post, and then no motivation to, as you'll see shortly.

Sheri

1. Sheri and her 5 kittens have ringworm.  I have been treating them all but this means they have been isolated from everyone else and have been unable to attend adoption events, and that is bad news during this crucial time when they are very adoptable.  The kittens are now 3 months old and getting sooo big.  I really hope they will still have an easy time finding homes, but the ringworm isn't gone yet so I don't know when that will be.  Sheri was indeed adopted by the lady who was interested in her, and this woman is a SAINT.  She has been so patient waiting for Sheri to be ready to come home, even though it's been 4 weeks already.  She just wants her to be healthy!

2. Prize, Chandra, Tibalt, and Hermie all went to their new homes.  Hoodie is my only remaining kitten from this bunch that were together, and he couldn't go with Sheri's kittens for obvious reasons, so he has been staying with Lily in our bedroom.  Hoodie is incredibly sweet now, I'm so happy with how he's turned out, he used to be the most shy of his brothers.  He is also 3.5 months old now and I really hope he'll be adopted soon.  The older they get, the harder it is...

3. We caught 2 females for TNR completely by luck.  We named them Laverne and Shirley.  We found out they were both already spayed, but they got their vaccines and ears tipped anyway.  Laverne was semi-friendly but just not enough to be adopted, so we released her back to her neighborhood, where it looks like people were taking care of them anyway.  Shirley is still with us for now, she is VERY friendly and we didn't have the heart to release her.  We are trying to find her a home and may need to take her to adoption events with the group that I do TNR with.

Shirley

Laverne

4. I wanted to take a few more foster kittens for Hoodie since he would have been alone otherwise.  I originally agreed to 2, then got talked into agreeing to 7, then 8.  Eight kittens = 5 4-week-olds (no names at the time), 2 8-week-olds (Boo and Bobo), and 1 ~10 week old (Sachet).  When the kittens were first brought to me at an adoption event, I noticed they had diarrhea, but figured I'd give it a few days since it could be due to anything, even just the food they were eating.  However, by the end of the week, the diarrhea had not cleared up and several of the kittens were dehydrated.  Sachet ended up at the vet for 3 days, and we lost 2 of the youngest kittens.  It is the first time I've ever lost a kitten, and I know I am very lucky it hasn't happened until now.  We are doing our best for the others.  The remaining 3 are now named: Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup (yes, the Powerpuff Girls!).  Sachet may have an adopter, and Boo and Bobo will start attending events this weekend.

5. Rondo, who was living at Petco now, passed away unexpectedly.  He got very ill very quickly and passed away at the vet before they could drain some fluid from his chest.  They think it was either heart problems or cancer.  I was devastated.  He had just been adopted and was going to be delivered to his new home the next day.  Absolutely horrible news.  The group is thinking of starting a Rondo Memorial Fund to assist with vet costs for cats who get ill so quickly, which is a great idea and I'm happy he'll be remembered that way.  Here is a video from after he first went to Petco:

6. Current count = 25.  We are taking a break - no more fosters for awhile.  Of course we will continue to go to adoption events until the kittens are all adopted, but especially this latest batch of kittens and the ringworm have taken a toll on us and we need a breather.  The adults aren't as time-sensitive to take to events, so having a few adult fosters isn't as bad.  Of course I say "no more" right now, but there are always cats in desperate need of a home.  I'm trying to be serious this time, at least!