Winnie, The Toast of the Town!!!
- Helen Morrison
Some years ago, Liz adopted two indoor kitties, Bayley and Burke, from Kingdom Animal Shelter.
She also took in a feral cat that we had trapped in Barnet, named Ebony. Ebony, now Slash, has thrived. Liz knows just how to welcome feral cats, tend to them well, keep them safe, introduce them successfully into a barn cat situation.
- Helen Morrison
Some years ago, Liz adopted two indoor kitties, Bayley and Burke, from Kingdom Animal Shelter.
She also took in a feral cat that we had trapped in Barnet, named Ebony. Ebony, now Slash, has thrived. Liz knows just how to welcome feral cats, tend to them well, keep them safe, introduce them successfully into a barn cat situation.
This past May, I got a call from a woman in Walden. She was very concerned about a mama cat and four kittens who had taken up residence in her barn shed. The Mom Cat, whom we named Winnie, is a beautiful torti. But she is feral…which meant we needed to figure out how to get her spayed, vaccinated, and then find a safe home for her. We were able to trap Winnie, the mom, and also her four kittens. The kittens were 8 weeks old, so are able to be socialized….and adopted. (See “Four Newbies”)
But Winnie was a bit of a challenge. What to do? She couldn’t come to the Shelter since she was feral.
So…I reached out to Liz…and low and behold, she was very excited to bring Winnie into her horse barn as their new barn kitty. For a safe time, Winnie was in a condo. But soon she was ready to come out, and join the other barn cats. All went smoothly, and Winnie has fit right in and is enjoying barn life. She even has a new name “Toast of the Town”.
I love it. Liz is so happy, Toast is so happy, we are all so happy.
So…I reached out to Liz…and low and behold, she was very excited to bring Winnie into her horse barn as their new barn kitty. For a safe time, Winnie was in a condo. But soon she was ready to come out, and join the other barn cats. All went smoothly, and Winnie has fit right in and is enjoying barn life. She even has a new name “Toast of the Town”.
I love it. Liz is so happy, Toast is so happy, we are all so happy.
Here are some of the updates and photos that Liz has sent of Toast.
May 12: She is doing great for only being here for two days. She’s started to make eye contact, she loves her toys and has a huge appetite. She and my other cats are just sizing each other up, but no growling. I was able to gently pat her through the cage this morning with only a tiny hiss. She didn’t rear or try to bite. My farm kids did the same and she only gave a little hiss once. I told them to hold off on doing that for now due to the risk of rabies. I have her condo in a fairly quiet space, so she can watch and get used to the noise, but still feel safe. As she comes more out of her shell, I can roll her to the barn doors, so she has an even better view. I think this is going to be an easy transition, but will give her all the time she needs.
May 22: After 8 days in the cat condo, Toast wanted out and since I accidentally didn’t latch the door properly off she went to the hay loft for a few days. She is now venturing down and eating with the other cats. And giving me a piece of her mind, if I don’t have her food ready for her. lol
June 4: She is still very standoffish, but explores more and more every day. She likes to find a high spot and watches me very intently. I’m always surprised to find her, as she very quietly moves about. She loves when I talk softly to her and she will settle down to listen. She is very vocal when she wants her breakfast.. Every morning when I go into the barn, I’ll call her name and she responds. I’ve been calling her Toast of the Town.
Toast is also doing great and loving life. She’s a joy to have here.
June 8: Toast (of the Town) is settling into her position as a rodent control officer at her new barn in Chester, NH. Toast enjoys intently watching her new mom from a safe distance, but gets a bit closer every day. She may be a bit shy, but she never misses a meal and is quite vocal if her meal is 5 minutes late!
She enjoys lounging in the hay loft, exploring around her new farm and hanging with her fellow officers Spicy, Midnight and Jackie. She is a delightful addition to the farm and we are so happy to see her continue to blossom.
May 12: She is doing great for only being here for two days. She’s started to make eye contact, she loves her toys and has a huge appetite. She and my other cats are just sizing each other up, but no growling. I was able to gently pat her through the cage this morning with only a tiny hiss. She didn’t rear or try to bite. My farm kids did the same and she only gave a little hiss once. I told them to hold off on doing that for now due to the risk of rabies. I have her condo in a fairly quiet space, so she can watch and get used to the noise, but still feel safe. As she comes more out of her shell, I can roll her to the barn doors, so she has an even better view. I think this is going to be an easy transition, but will give her all the time she needs.
May 22: After 8 days in the cat condo, Toast wanted out and since I accidentally didn’t latch the door properly off she went to the hay loft for a few days. She is now venturing down and eating with the other cats. And giving me a piece of her mind, if I don’t have her food ready for her. lol
June 4: She is still very standoffish, but explores more and more every day. She likes to find a high spot and watches me very intently. I’m always surprised to find her, as she very quietly moves about. She loves when I talk softly to her and she will settle down to listen. She is very vocal when she wants her breakfast.. Every morning when I go into the barn, I’ll call her name and she responds. I’ve been calling her Toast of the Town.
Toast is also doing great and loving life. She’s a joy to have here.
June 8: Toast (of the Town) is settling into her position as a rodent control officer at her new barn in Chester, NH. Toast enjoys intently watching her new mom from a safe distance, but gets a bit closer every day. She may be a bit shy, but she never misses a meal and is quite vocal if her meal is 5 minutes late!
She enjoys lounging in the hay loft, exploring around her new farm and hanging with her fellow officers Spicy, Midnight and Jackie. She is a delightful addition to the farm and we are so happy to see her continue to blossom.