Smokey

In mid march of 2007 I rescued a dumped cat from a factory estate. From what was known, Smokey already had one litter of kittens which were now about as big as her and she was heading for a life of continuous pregnancy and growth of homeless kittens.

She is a very affectionate cat and I just do not understand how anyone could dump her but then the world is full of people who are careless and cruel. I asked around if she belonged to anyone and expressed an interest in taking her if no one wanted her.

The plan was to take her home and get her de-sexed before she fell pregnant again.

I couldn't catch her, not for her not coming near me, far from it. Just when ever I went to the factory to catch her, she was not around. One of the day workers was feeding her so I asked Monica if she could catch her and call me. I left a cat crate for Monica to put Smokey in when she caught her.

I tried on Thursday, no luck. I called Monica and told her to call me just as soon as she catches her. I was only 20 minutes from the factory and would drive over to collect her.

And so it was on that Friday.

Monica called.

I drove there and brought her home.

She was very relaxed in the cat crate with just the occasional meow in protest but I talked to her all the way home.

Mum stayed home to set up Smokey's bed and feeding and drinking bowls. Mum fussed to no end. She even cut up one of her blankets for Smokey and Mimmi (mum's de0sexed cat), to share.

Mimmi sleeps in the laundry at night and Smokey had the bathroom as her bedroom over night.

I arrived home carrying Smokey in the cat crate as she let out a few protest meows.

I placed the crate on a bench and opened the door to the most gorgeous and affectionate cat I had ever been in contact with. She purred so loud it was almost a snore, LOL. I suspected she was already pregnant again so a visit to the vet the next day was organised ahead of time.

The vet confirmed Smokey was in fact pregnant and estimated she would deliver her kittens around 3rd or 4th April 2007.

Smokey delivered 5 babies on Monday 16th April in an afternoons work.

I called mum from work to check up on Smokey, at lunch time but nothing. When I called at afternoon tea time, Smokey had delivered a snowy white kitten who was already having a nice big drink from mum.

Monday night was a buzz with activity by mum and I.

We made a nursery box for Smokey and her babies.

We moved Mimmi into the bathroom and Smokey was now going to be in the laundry. This was because the laundry was used less then the bathroom so that Smokey could have quiet time to fuss over and nurse her new family.

Smokey's babies are 1 week and 2 days young today.

There is one white one with a faint grey flash on top of his head and 4 mainly grey with cream and white females. Man how difficult is it to tell gender in cats! The white one has a home and his name is Snowy, mum and I will keep one of the girls so 3 need a for ever loving home.

All 5 will be de-sexed so those which go to new homes will already be done before leaving my home. They will also be vaccinated and a 3 day survival pack will come with each kitty. That's just to give new owners time to get orgnaised with food and bowls etc.

Enjoy the pictures.