The kittens went to youngest. It was like we passed the kitten baton.
She volunteers for the SPCA 2-3 times a month at events. She has lots of dog experience with our neighbor’s dogs, a college roommate’s dog, middle’s dogs. She was trained in the SPCA kitten room, the SPCA kitten training helped a lot, she also had no childhood experience with cats.
Youngest watched the kittens on our camera for the full six weeks they were in the cat condo in our garage. She kept middle company for most of the 100 hours middle worked with the kittens. There was a slight delay, but she could see thru the camera. She talked via the phone in real time. Youngest got very attached to the kittens. Middle and I cared about the kittens, took very good care of the kittens, but did not get attached.
Youngest came home/here one weekend in late September and we took the kittens to a vet here. Middle, youngest and I all went. We had no idea how the kittens would do, they were just at the point where middle and youngest and my husband could handle them. I had a tick in my eye from stress that day. But it was fine, the kittens cooperated. The kittens got a very good check up, bloodwork, and their first round of shots. They were treated for worms. Youngest got a supply of flea and tick meds.
Three weeks later, we considered the kittens well socialized. They were ready to move in with youngest. She met my husband half way and she picked the kittens and all their stuff up and took them home with her.
This is the first photo I sent her, loading my husband’s trunk for the meet, clarifying some of the supplies I was sending with the kittens. By the time all their gear was transferred to her car, her trunk was full, her front passenger seat was full.
The next day, Monday, she took the kittens to their permanent vet there and got their booster shots and a second exam. The timing was tight, but they got their boosters exactly on time.
Both vets marveled at the kittens. They travel in their carriers easily. They are in great shape, physically and emotionally. They are friendly with the vet staff. According to both vets/staff our kittens are now more social than the average domestic kitten. It was an incredible amount of effort, crammed in six weeks. Youngest continues that work.
Notes we have learned - many foster groups, if you want a kitten you are required to take two that get along, preferably litter mates, so the kittens have a playmate. If you only want one, you have to take a cat, not a kitten. Most foster groups require the kittens to be 16 weeks to be adopted. We agree with all of that. So does my SIL the retired cat vet.
The kittens are both male. A fact we did not know until we saw the first vet. It is not as obvious on cats as dogs
Youngest’s kittens have their neuter appointment about the first of the year, when they will be just over 6 mos. They will be chipped at that time also. Chipping is painful, we prefer to have the animals chipped during surgery.
One interesting fact. In black and white, on night vision, I had trouble telling the kittens apart on my camera when they were in the cat condo in our garage. The camera was at a distance, I was looking thru the bars. I couldn’t understand why I could not tell a stripped cat from a solid cat.
At Youngest’s house, in black and white, on night vision but close up, it is easy to tell them apart (below). But she realized the black cat is actually a tiger too. He has subtle black on black stripes. On my camera, night vision/black and white, the black cat’s stripes were more dramatic.
