Conference misery::feline_v1

2713.0. "Kittens with tremors" by STOR06::DALEY () Thu Jul 27 1989 10:20

    There are right now about 130 cats/kittens waiting to be adopted
    at the Framingham Humane Society shelter. Here are two stories that
    might interest people whether or not you're ready to adopt.
    
    1) The FAHS picked up two females (apparently sisters) both with
    litters.This is not unusual but what follows is- between the two
    mothers there were 10 kittens- all born with impaired motor functions.
    They were brought to the shelter and placed all-together in a cage.
    Personality-wise they're GREAT (more outgoing than most kittens) but 
    physically they all seemed to fall when they tried to walk. Because
    of their SUPER personalities the FAHS decided to do what it could
    to save these babies. Bottom line - the whole litter of 10 went for a
    visit at Tufts who checked them free of charge. Findings were that
    they have a neurological deficiency however as they get older they
    should outgrow the problem. They react like a person with palsy- their
    little legs tremor and then they fall. The good news is that
    as they are getting stronger, their tremors are getting fewer and
    fewer and they stand better. Guess those doctors at Tufts were right. 
    Anyway, these little guys and gals - also their mothers - are ready 
    for placement. They are all black, long legged, wonderful, trusting, 
    8-weeks old. They zip and run around, and they are fully litter box 
    trained. 
    
    2)  The second story is Mr. Kitty- who was picked up by a local
    dog pound and brought one Sunday to the shelter for adoption hours.
    Because of his personality the volunteers felt he was a good
    candidate for adoption and would find a home faster with them than
    at the dog pound. He is about 5 years old and black/white. Note-
    Mr. Kitty has an unusal litter box habit-  he NEVER lets his feet 
    touch the sand. He balances his legs on the sides of the box and
    then proceeds to do his business. He also never misses the target.
    
    All of these cats and kittens are available at the FAHS shelter.
    Directions to the shelter are in Note 1156.4 . It is located
    at the Southboro Boarding Kennels. All are FeLV negative, and 
    come with a free spay/neuter certificate.
                                             
    Pat

    when I re-read my basenote this morning I don't think everything
    I wanted to say was expressed- I guess what I was try to say is
    that these kittens probably will get passed over for adoption because
    they are not "perfect". So chances are they will remain in the shelter
    until their legs get stronger. But by then they will no longer be
    cute "little" kittens and their fate will be those of older kittens
    or cats, i.e., lengthy stays in the shelter while the younger kittens
    get adopted. So hopefully someone will have the patience and desire to 
    help see one of these kittens thru its difficulty..