Sabbath, at 18 years of age, has retired from mouse control in the barn and now is simply serving in a supervisory role. Sadly, Orzo disappeared a bit over a month ago and so there was an opening for new barn cats.
Wednesday I got a text from a friend, who knew of two kittens dumped a neighbor’s place this week. My friend knew I was in need of a cat or two and happily connected us. The kittens arrived Wednesday evening and I set them up in a large dog crate in the tack room to get adjusted to the routine here. They’ll be in the crate for a couple weeks to learn that the food arrives twice a day and get used to me, then they’ll be allowed loose in the tack room at night.
I’ve begun the search for a low cost spay/neuter program in the area so that I can get them altered, ear tipped (a universal feral cat sign that they are altered) and vaccinated so that if they don’t stick around at least they are not out procreating. They are quite small right now, and still have brand new kitten teeth, so are likely just weaned at about 8 -10 weeks old. It will be a little while before they are old enough to get altered, but I do plan to get them fixed before the female is old enough to get pregnant.
The grey tuxedo kitten is male, with a small grey patch under his chin. He has a loud and squeaky motorboat purr, and is outgoing and friendly. The black one is also a tuxedo pattern, is female and a little more reserved, but is warming up to attention very quickly. Tonight I let them run around loose in the tack room while I cleaned their litter box and put kitten food into their bowl, and they were into EVERYTHING, including inspecting every corner of the cabinet under the sink where I keep the food.
They don’t have names yet. I was trying to come up with something general or non committal because I didn’t want to get too attached to them as barn cats sadly often disappear, as in Orzo’s case. However, they have already won me over and it’s definitely too late, I think I love them.
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