If you are interested or involved with rescue or foster cats, then you are in the right spot!
When I started this page, it was initially to document my journey of trapping a feral/unsocialised cat, now named Mitsy, in my neighborhood. I did not expect to be able to ‘keep’ her as an indoor cat after we looked after her very last litter, but it did happen and to this day my husband and I call this ‘a miracle’.
Finding all the information we needed to bring the project to a good end took a lot of hard work and frankly even more near-nervous-break-downs. Dealing with a rescue cat that is used to human contact is a whole different thing than trying to handle a pregnant cat that does not want to be close to you…. But it worked and our previously feral is now a beloved member of our family.
If you are a cat lover and interested in reading about the road from feral to beloved indoor, Mitsy’s nursery blog might be for you. It contains a blow-by-blow diary that is full with practical tips, in case you were ever to get involved in a similar project.
Click any of the topics in the side or bottom menu to get started. Below is a short synopsis of the different pages, so you know where you will be landing.
My cat parade
My cat parade is the story of the many cats that have accompanied me in my life. Many of them now live on the Rainbow Bridge: I had never heard of this concept, but when my 20-year old senior Dixie passed, the organisation that cremated her, gave it to me. It can be a big source of comfort after saying farewell to your furry beloved…
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Practical Tips and tricks
This section contains tips and tricks that you may find helpful if you ever have to set up a room for a pregnant feral cat. The things that made us most nervous in the entire project were the many small unknowns that we had to hunt the internet for to get answers. I hope that having them here on my website will help others in the same situation to get started with more confidence.
Mitsy’s nursery blog
Mitsy’s blog started as a live-blog, with new posts and pictures every day, to document her journey from a last-time mum to an indoor, well-socialised pussycat. Her socialisation is still limited to my husband and me. She is extremely cautious of any other people in our house, although sometimes her curiosity wins. It will be an ongoing process to prove to her that not all humans are bad…
Want to get involved?
Getting involved with a cat rescue organisation does not necessarily have to be about temporarily taking one or more cats, pregnant or otherwise, into you home. There is always a need for helping hands in Adoption Centres all around the province or wherever you are.
Practical things like transporting cats between locations or bringing them to a vet plays an important role in the volunteer work. Helping when an organised trapping is happening for a TNR project (Trap, Neuter, Return) is always appreciated: the more hands, the better.
Maybe you have special skills that rescue organisations can benefit from. If you are good with building things, you might be able to help create winter shelters. Or maybe you can donate food- and care-items such as carriers, beds, food, bowls and that kind of stuff. On behalf of all volunteers and rescue organisation we thank you for your cooperation!