The Cats Protection:
I first became involved in the Cats Protection in 2007 when I volunteered as the Welfare and Rehome Officer for the Callington & District branch. Through this work I have met many needy cats, and have many times been upset, angry and annoyed by the way some cats are treated. However, none of them touched me like Ayesha. Her story is below:
It was a cold Sunday morning in November, as I gingerly climbed out of bed. Kittens and cats alike immediately pounced on the moving objects known as my feet as I shuffled along to the kitchen to complete the morning task of feeding 13 hungry fur balls. As I drew back the curtain I could see that frost gently lined the surrounding area like sugar icing on my Grandmother’s Victoria Sandwiches many years ago. I looked in awe at the beauty that lay just beyond the window, as I wondered how time had so cleverly slipped me by, silently, swiftly, even sneakily.
The sharp shrill of the telephone suddenly penetrated my thoughts, bringing me back to present day life. I answered the phone “Callington Cats Protection” and waited for the caller to justify calling me so early on a Sunday morning. The quiet, gentle concern of a gentleman’s voice immediately softened my demeanour as I listened to him explaining to me his predicament of four newborn kittens found not so long ago by his wife in their outhouse. Their concern being that mum had disappeared, query hurt given her awkward limping motion, leaving these kittens defending for themselves. A fear swept through me: the advice I gave could make the difference between life and death for these tiny creatures, what if I got it wrong. Thumping that thought to the back of my mind I gave the gentleman advice about how to keep these tiny ones warm, to monitor the situation from a distance and to tempt mum back with the offer of food. We agreed to keep in close contact.
As the day wore on my thoughts never wondered far from these kittens and their mum, and I eagerly awaited news. Mid afternoon the call came that the situation had deteriorated as the kittens were now listless and mum was still nowhere to be seen. We agreed that these kittens needed attending to now and arrangements to transport them to me were put in motion. As I waited for their arrival I occupied myself with preparing their milk, finding my kitten nutridrops and sorting out appropriate bedding, including a heat mat.
After what seemed like forever the doorbell rang, announcing their arrival. I quickly ushered the concerned couple and the box that they were cradling so carefully in their arms inside. I peeked into the box, fearing what I might find. Four little heads popped around, aimlessly and carelessly – could four new born kittens really look this bewildered? Three black and one pure white, wow. I then noticed that the smallest kitten, one of the black ones, still had the placenta attached making me think of how tired their mum must have been not to have removed it herself. I removed the placenta and then gently examined each kitten in turn. Although cold and hungry, all seemed to be in relative good health despite two having small hernias, which would be dealt with later. I thanked the couple who brought them to me profusely for caring enough about the life of these little ones, and pointed them in the direction of our coordinator’s house, where Lynda was waiting with a trap to lend them to try and catch the all allusive mum.
I sat down and started to tempt the kittens with the warm Cimicat. None of them were interested, but oh boy did they have a loud cry. My poor fur babies just didn’t know what had shattered their peaceful Sunday afternoon nap, and all were eager to try and find a way through to investigate further. By early evening the three black kittens had all adapted to the milk substitute and would happily eat, toilet and sleep, but George, the pure white kitten was a totally different story in that he just cried. I gave him a teddy, a poor substitute for a warm, soft fur ball known as mum, and although over the next few hours George started to accept the milk, I knew he was unhappy. I waited for news on their mum, but none came.
Monday passed by in a blur. George was starting to settle down, but he was still very noisy, especially when compared to his litter mates who were model babies. I contacted some experienced foster carers, and asked them if they would have the four fur balls for a few days and arranged for them to collect them from me the following morning. Then, out of the blue came the much awaited phone call, mum had been caught. Fear and trepidation swamped me once more, how she would cope with being reunited with her four babies after 36 hours apart? Would she remember them? What if she attacked them and they got hurt? I knew deep down we had to give her that chance, especially as George needed his mum so badly. Lynda and I both went to pick the girl up and together we took all five over to foster care.
We took mum out first and had a look at her. She was painfully thin with many scars on her, making her a pitiful sight to look at. We checked her over and discovered that she was a 3-legged cat, and hence the limping movements reported by the concerned couple. She gulped down the plate of food we offered her and then looked for more; twisting and turning herself through each of us in turn. Then it was crunch time, and we re-introduced the kittens to her. She sniffed them, and then licked them, and then one by one she pulled each of them to her and nuzzled them into her belly where they eagerly latched on.
Ayesha and co continued to thrive under the care of their foster carers, and in time new homes were sought for each kitten. As for Ayesha, well I opted to adopt her as some cats just win your heart.
Ayesha's Progress
19th March 2008
Ayesha's adoption takes place. I am like an excited child bringing her home. To help her transition she is placed into a large kitten pen, until my guys have learnt to accept her. I am apprehensive and pray that all goes well.
21st March 2008
Ayesha is out and about. The other cats are not that bothered by this new arrival. Ayesha is pretty nervous though and won't allow me any where near her. My heart sinks as I wonder if I have done the right thing.
April 2008
Ayesha is starting to trust me. She knows that I will often give in to her demand of food, and we have found a game she likes... she likes it when I put my hand underneath her blanket and move it around. She pounces on it like it is a mouse. I feel that I am starting to make progress. Lynda, the co-ordinator of our branch and close friend, is also trying to bond with Ayesha and is also engaging in this game with her. I am hopeful.
May 2008
Ayesha no longer runs away when she sees me, and she is starting to trust Lynda too. Ayesha is putting weight on, and her mobility is getting better. I find her on all the scratching posts, and she often climbs into the cat toy box pulling out her favourite toys. Humphrey and Ayesha are really getting on well, and Humphrey makes allowances in his play for Ayesha's disability - he will lay down to play with her rather than being his usual boisterous self. It brings a tear to my eye to see it as Humphrey is the last cat I thought would be like this with her. The niggling doubt of "did I do the right thing adopting her" has gone, and I am thrilled that she is doing so well.
July 2008
Ayesha is putting on weight... and I am now starting to worry that her eating will never settle down. I wonder if her experience of food shortage in her past life will result in her being forever fearful of when her next meal will arrive. It's not good for any cat to be over weight but it would be even worse for Ayesha, with her mobility being already reduced by her missing limb. I talk to Lynda about my concerns and we agree to monitor the situation.
August 2008
Ayesha continues to do well. Her coat has the most amazing shine to it - so glossy and healthy. We still have the occasional battle.... she hates being treated with worm and flea treatments, but she no longer sulks for days on end following this, and I have not yet dared to attempt to cut her claws. She is now starting to come and sit on me when I am watching television, but she never stays for long. I am still unable to pick her up, and Lynda and I have wondered if this might be painful for her with her amputation being so high up. I don't think she will ever be a cat who likes being picked up but I hope she will learn not to panic when being handled.
27th September 2008
Ayesha attended the South Western Counties Cat Show where she helped raise awareness for Cats Protection. She coped amazingly well, and I was so proud of her. I was surprised at how well she coped with vetting in, although the vet was very gentle and took into consideration what a special little girl Ayesha is. Many people visited her pen and bought items off the stall... overall we did a great job letting people know what a fantastic job volunteers of CP do, and Lynda nd I will definitely take her out again.
October 2008
Ayesha is making steady progress with being picked up. She is now tolerating me picking her up, holding her for 5 seconds and then putting her down. She still looks at me in disgust as she hops away from me but I am more hopeful that one day we will get there. Ayesha now also sleeps on my bed every night, and has recently got in to the habit of coming for a midnight cuddle with me. She just comes and sits on me and waits for a fuss. Since doing this, she has also become more tolerant of being fussed during the day. I still think back to the early fears I had when I adopted Ayesha, but not a day goes by when I don't think how lucky I am that I was allowed to adopt her.