Cache Valley Cat Wranglers

This is one of the most frustrating parts of rescue work, and it happens constantly. :(

Wunder went to vet at 3:00am (shout out to Dr Mitchell at North Cache Vet Hospital for having emergency hours). She got her head shaved and drained. He believes she has a skull fracture as well as an abscess. I've been up with her since 2:30, after having been awake with her until midnight. She finally started eating a little bit at 7:00, so I've been syringe feeding her every 15 minutes in between doing breakfast and morning meds for the other cats.

I have four hours of paid work today, and have to do some Generalized Mom Stuff as well.

I. Am. Tired. And this kitten officially looks *ridiculous* 😂

Bios for our kittens that are available starting next weekend!

Foster needed! Three cute bottle babies! Please fill out the Foster application if you haven't already. If you have already filled out, please message me to state that you are interested. Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmKyt-eLqxbhKg5k43_JuO9ozT7sdmvVPweQ9LLH3kgKCtWA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=112723170499372695619

We will have some kittens available for adoption starting June 13th!

Before inquiring, please note that CVCW does not adopt kittens into single-cat households until they are a minimum of four months old, and never adopts kittens as indoor/outdoor pets or into homes with cat/dog doors. We also do not adopt to people who intend to declaw, because this is inhumane and abusive. Adoption fees are $125 for a single kitten under 6 months and $200 for a pair of kittens.

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Kitten developmental timeline:

By 5-7 weeks old, they are equivalent to a human toddler. They still need consistent parenting and rely heavily on their mom and litter mates.

At 8-12 weeks old they are similar to a preschool-aged human (about 3-5 years old). They've developed motor skills and don't know how to sensibly use them. They are still reliant on mom and siblings to learn things like bite inhibition and when to keep their claws in. Kittens that have stayed with their mother as indoor cats are frequently still nursing at this age.

During the 3-6 months range, they are equivalent to a human elementary-aged kid (6-12 years old). They are learning independence, but still need guidance and consistent companionship. If left to their own devices they will survive and figure things out, just as a 10-year-old kid can become self-reliant if they have to. But it's not ideal.

This time line is why CVCW does not adopt out single kittens until they are a minimum of four months (16 weeks) old. And once they are four months, preference will still go to homes that want a second kitten, or have a friendly cat at home (as opposed to a cat that will take weeks to acclimate to welcoming the new kitten).

Kittens adopted into single-cat households often develop anxiety, which comes with behavioral issues that frequently lead to being returned to the rescue. And because of their anxiety and behavioral issues, they are difficult or even impossible to adopt out a second time.

If you are only able to adopt one cat, for whatever reason, we strongly encourage adopting an adult cat or a kitten that is at least six months old.

Ramona (tabby) and Panic (orange) are definitely Cat's cats. They love almost every cat they meet, but absolutely hate humans. If you visit the sanctuary you may catch glimpses of them as they run from the room you've just entered, but you won't be able to pet them or interact with them beyond saying hi as they scurry past you.

Panic has been here since March 2024. She was out ten months when she arrived, and just never socialized to people. Ramona arrived around September 2024 from a feral colony. She needed a lot of medical care which made her scared of me and she generalized that to all humans. One time I tried to release her back to her colony, but she ended up hiding near my engine for nearly two weeks. We had to take the car to Jiffy L**e and have them take it apart from the bottom to get her out.

Neither Panic or Ramona like people, but neither can be released to be true feral cats. So they just live here now. But aren't they cute?!