Welcome to our latest installment of Follow the Litter, where we follow a litter of kittens from birth, through foster care, to adoption. Things are a little different this time around because these newborns were found without a mother. But don’t worry! They are receiving excellent, round-the-clock care from our amazing fosters. We’ll be giving you a glimpse into how these devoted volunteers take over the role of “mom” and save the lives of orphan kittens.
Update 1
Anyone who says black cats are unlucky hasn’t met Binx, Felix, Salem and Sylvester. These black and white beauties are some of the luckiest kitties we know!
Baby Felix and Baby Binx
A worker was on a job site when he discovered four newborn kittens inside his truck. With no sign of their mother, he gathered up the fragile kittens and drove them to Helen Woodward Animal Center. Even though we weren’t expecting their arrival, our Foster team jumped into action. They rounded up all the supplies needed for newborn kittens, including formula, tiny bottles and stuffed animals with a heating pad and beating heart to mimic mom. They also secured volunteers able to devote the next few weeks to these precious babies.
The kittens are currently 3 weeks old and becoming more curious and confident by the day! Come along with us on a journey as these four famous felines get ready to find forever families.
Update 2
Say hello to the new faces of Follow the Litter!
Salem
- Female
- Can talk to humans
- Plotting world domination
- Has black and white toes!
Sylvester
- Male
- Very animated
- Wears a tiny tuxedo
- The fluffiest of the bunch
Felix
- Male
- An old soul
- Excellent at telling time
- Missing half a moustache and would like it returned
Binx
- Female
- Fiercely loyal
- Spellbindingly beautiful
- Thinks myths about black cats are just a bunch of hocus pocus!
Update 3
When newborn kittens arrive at the Center without a mother, time is of the essence. Depending on the age of the kittens, they must eat every 2 to 6 hours to survive.
When we say that our foster volunteers go above and beyond to save lives, we mean it! Besides waking up multiple times at night to give the kittens a bottle, they also clean the kittens and stimulate them to go to the bathroom after each feeding. To ease the burden, we often split up litters among several fosters. In this case, Salem and Sylvester went to one loving foster home, and Binx and Felix went to another.
We always give our foster volunteers all the supplies they need. However, we have had so many bottle feeding kittens in our care that we have run out of kitten formula! Please consider helping our newborn kittens by purchasing kitten formula from our Amazon wish list. Thank mew very much!
Update 4
Halloween is less than a week away. Time to get into the spooky spirit with our favorite black cats!
Thank you Naturally Fresh for supporting Follow The Litter!
Update 5
Clockwise from top left: Sylvester, Felix, Binx, Salem
Right before Halloween, Binx, Felix, Salem and Sylvester returned to the Center for their 6-week visit! They received medical checks, the latest vaccines and even pedicures. The kittens also showed off their newest skill: eating solid food.
Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds before they can receive their spay/neuter surgeries, so our Follow The Litter kittens still have some growing up to do before they can become available for adoption.
Grow, baby, grow!
Update 6
We’d like to wish good luck to Salem and Sylvester. They just hit the milestone 2-pound mark and are now eligible for their spay and neuter surgeries! These curious, cuddly kittens are expected to be available for adoption on Sunday, November 15. Until then, they’ll be having fun during their last few days in foster care.
Binx and Felix still have a little growing to do before they’re ready to find forever homes. Stay tuned!
Update 7
Exciting mews! Felix and Binx have caught up with their siblings and hit the 2-pound mark. That means they can receive their spay and neuter surgeries and begin their search for forever homes! These beautiful babies are expected to be available for adoption on Sunday, November 29. Here are a few snapshots from their final week in foster care:
FELIX
BINX
Binx and Felix have come so far from the helpless, but determined bottle babies we met 2 months ago. We’re so excited for their next chapter!
