Say hello to Hattie and Henrietta!
These gorgeous girls arrived in our care after what can only be described as one of the most awful trapping experiences we’ve ever had in branch.
They were located on a busy industrial estate and it was clear for quite some time the girls (we believe to be mother and daughter) had been continually impregnated by roaming entire toms. Their lives blighted as a result. Henrietta (mum, approximately 4) we believe has at some stage had a home. We feel she must have been allowed out unneutered and, as a result, soon caught in the trap of continual litters, never returning home. Henrietta seems much calmer with human presence than Hattie (daughter, approximately 2) who we believe has only ever known a life on the streets.
The girls arrived with 9 kittens across 3 litters, all of different age and sizes. At one stage they were all trying to feed off Henrietta. Her foster will never forget looking through the glass door of her foster room, as poor mum lay there being pushed and pulled by 9 kittens trying to get every last drop of her milk. She looked deflated, beaten and utterly exhausted.
It was clear to see this life had taken its toll both mentally and physically. As soon as we were able to the kittens were fully weaned and separated into their respective groupings. Hattie and Henrietta were then spayed and microchipped and allowed some months to rest and recuperate and just ‘be’, quite possibly for the first time in a long time.
We moved the girls into a garden cabin to enable them to get used to the elements to some degree, whilst also ensuring they still had some home comforts. Over the winter the girls hunkered down together, never far apart and were often found snuggled on their little sofa with their heated pads.
The girls still don’t relish any form of human contact, however they are happy for their fosterer to go very close into their space. They will occasionally they let off a gentle hiss, just as a little warning, although they’re the gentlest little souls ever.
The girls wouldn’t be happy or comfortable in a home, yet they are very used to their home comforts and we don’t want to take this away from them. They are so deserving of having the best of both worlds. Freedom to explore, be themselves, chase mice and frolic in the sunshine with a warm, dry and snug place to retreat to when it’s cold and wet.
They are fed morning and evening and have settled into a wonderful routine in foster care. However, we know this isn’t the best life for them, certainly for Hattie, who would really thrive given more space and freedom. We are desperately seeking their rags to riches, happy ever after to their story.
We are looking for a setting whereby the girls can have a safe, warm and lovely bolthole where they will be kept contained for 6-8 weeks to settle and acclimatise to their new routine and humans, before being given free roaming access, away from any busy roads. They will still need to have access to their bolthole at all times, as they do like their warmth and comfort.
Perhaps you have a summerhouse you’d consider for this beautiful pair? A large shed that could be insulated and filled with all their belongings? A stable area that could be converted long term? Or an outbuilding that’s sat empty, looking for a purpose? All the girls items will go with them to ensure it feels like home. We just need to find their next chapter for them. If any cats deserve this chance it’s our beautiful girls Hattie and Henrietta. If you would like to be considered to give these incredible girls their second chance, please complete our adoption form.
Please note with the increase in cost of veterinary treatment we now require adopters to take out relevant insurance - we will provide more information during the adoption process.
