Updates On Our Foster Felines

Maggie’s Story

Maggie was a community cat who frequently came around to our back yard for food and water and we took her in as a rescue due to her pregnancy at a very young age and her sweet temperament. It was Maggie who finally prompted us to create a charity in order to actively engage with the community to start helping these cats find vet care, be spayed and neutered, and to give kittens a fighting chance to gain a loving home with families that will care for them for their lifetimes.

Maggie fought for her kittens – literally! When they were first born, she took up residence in one of the outdoor houses that we keep ready for queens to have their kittens and for winter. In the first week of their lives, Maggie was inside the house with them when a male cat attempted to catnap one of the kittens. With a screech that we have never heard from a cat before, she tore out after the male, chased him up a tree and brought her baby back. When we decided to take her and her kittens in, we segregated them from the other community cats to make sure they were safe from hawks, owls, foxes and other cats, and Maggie was a great mom to them as long as she could be. When she started showing signs of illness, her kittens were just at the point of starting to wean and she was separated to a nearby enclosure to recuperate. Unfortunately, she was not able to come back from her illness.

A Special Appeal for Pruneau and Chewie

Maggie’s legacy lives on through her two beautiful kittens, Pruneau and Chewie. These little ones have tested positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) but are asymptomatic and otherwise healthy, thanks to the immediate and ongoing care from a local veterinary team. Following some antibiotic treatment, they are due for their first shots in two weeks, a critical step in ensuring their continued health and happiness.

Pruneau and Chewie are incredibly sweet and loving, just like their mother. They thrive on human interaction and would make wonderful companions. We are looking for a special home for them, ideally someone who already has experience with FIV-positive cats or who is willing to open their heart and home to these two precious kittens together.

Why FIV Shouldn’t Scare You

Pruneau and Chewie deserve a chance to live their lives in a loving home where they can grow, play, and receive the affection they crave. FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy lives with proper care and regular veterinary visits. FIV is not easily transmitted and some vets feel that cats with the virus can coexist peacefully with other cats. According to Dr. Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer of the San Diego Humane Society, FIV-positive and -negative cats can live together as long as all cats are spayed or neutered, remain indoors and interact peacefully.

Please note that Pruneau and Chewie are currently still segregated from the other kittens we have for adoption as they are not spayed or neutered and will not be until they are well and big enough. It is our practice to keep litters completely separate until after their first vet visits and clearance to integrate them with other cats.

How You Can Help

Adopt: If you have the space and the love to give, consider adopting Pruneau and Chewie. They have been through a lot together and we would love to see them stay together.

• Donate: Contributions to our rescue efforts help ensure that all cats like Maggie, Pruneau and Chewie receive the care they need.
• Spread the Word: Share their story with friends and family. The more people know about FIV and the needs of community cats, the better we can support them.

Maggie’s journey reminds us of the importance of compassion and care for all animals. By helping Pruneau and Chewie find their forever home, you can honor Maggie’s memory and ensure that her kittens live a life filled with love.