Smush had been found outside at ten days old, very close to death. He had a cleft lip, facial deformities, a respiratory infection, and ringworm.

Since Smush was unable to eat, Hidenrite fed her with a syringe every four hours. She also provided Smush with necessary antibiotics and medicated baths.

Hidenrite explained to the Dodo that Smush’s facial features are considered congenital deformities. “I’ve seen a few instances where kittens with deformities are found abandoned as if their mother knew she would be unable to take care of them,” she said.

In some cases, mother cats will reject their unhealthy kittens, knowing there is a chance they will not survive. The greater need of the litter is what the mother holds important.

Thanks to Hidenrite’s care, Smush was able to survive and thrive. She even was able to eat by herself.

Once able to handle her own, Smush was brought to a foster mom, Laura Braden. Braden gave Smush medicated baths three times each week to help continue her healing process.

With every passing day, Smush developed a reputation for herself – she was one feisty kitty. “She was a handful from day one!” Braden said. Braden tried to keep Smush confined to a space because of her ringworm. “She climbed over every barrier I put up, so I caved in and gave her an entire room.”

Usually, kittens learn valuable skills from their mothers and siblings. When separated at such a young age, a kitten misses out on learning about things such as how hard to bite in play, rather than hunting.

Braden, an experienced foster mom, was prepared to handle Smush’s bites.

“She needed to go to a home that loved her smushy face and understood her feistiness,” Braden said.

Shannon Jackson and her wife, Sarah Jenne, noticed Smush on Hidenrite’s Facebook. Jenne had been grieving the loss of her kitty, Poot. When Jackson would ask Jenne what she wanted for each holiday, Jenne would say “a kitten”.

Jackson and Hidenrite became friends while taking photos of animals up for adoption at Helping Hands Pet Rescue. Jackson loved how caring Hidenrite was for the helpless animals in need.

“Sarah’s birthday was coming up, so I messaged Lindsey to see if Smush was still available,” Jackson said.

Once Hidenrite told Jackson that Smush was still available for adoption, she also let her know that Smush could be a little feisty!

The couple took home Smush for a week to feel things out…and the rest was history.

“It was love at first sight,” Jackson said, adding, “Smush growled at Sarah and I for probably 24 hours until she would even come out of her little carrier.”

Once Smush came out, her personality shined.

Smush now had a forever home with three kitty siblings, three dog siblings, AND a hedgehog sibling named Homer! Smush was the first kitten adopted by the couple together – and it was a match made in heaven.

Since being in her new home, Smush has been more of a lover than a biter. Her rescuers, Braden and Hidenrite, came to visit right before the holidays. Everyone was glad to see Smush’s tough spirit pulling her through her hard times.

Follow Smush’s life on Instagram!

Source: The Dodo

The post Strong Kitten with Facial Deformities is Cute and Feisty appeared first on PawSoCute.

When feral kittens are rescued at a young age, making the transition from being wild to being a family pet is completely possible. 

While this process takes some time, this shelter came up with a plan to speed up the process – and also make it more fun!

About ten years ago, at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), a volunteer – and also a seamstress – recognized the importance of finding a more efficient way to help young kittens get accustomed.

Feral cats around 4 months and younger have the best potential for becoming loving family members. All that is necessary for this is exposure to humans! To make this transition process most efficient, shelter staff needed a way to do many things at once. And so the “Kitten Bjorn” idea was born. 

What is a Kitten Bjorn you ask?

A Babybjorn is a baby carrier that lets parents carry their baby while still doing other things. The Kitten Bjorn works the same way! 

Staff at the shelter wear a vest that has a little mesh pouch in the front for kittens to rest in. Kittens are able to get comfortable with humans while experiencing the world as it moves around them.

“The idea was to have something that allow the kittens to socialize, and be hands-free, thus allowing staff and volunteers to multi-task (answering phones, talking with clients etc.),” Michael DeFina, communications and media relations officer at ARL Boston, explained to The Dodo. 

“The design allows the kitten to be flooded with stimuli in a safe way while being constantly monitored by whoever is wearing the vest. Three were made and we are looking to make more.”

For the last 7 years, ARL has been using these vests – and they have every intention of continuing to do so! The vests have successfully sped up the process of socialization for feral cats. The kittens are now ready for adoption in just two days.

“Turnaround for socialization can be fairly quick, with the sign of success being when the kitten begins to purr,” DeFina said.

“Sometimes a kitten will begin purring after just an hour, sometimes it takes a couple of days, but during the seven years of their use, they have shown to be effective in trying to quickly socialize kittens.” 

Helping socialization for kittens is a good thing on its own, but this vest idea has helped in another way as well. By getting kittens ready for adoption quickly, more kittens can come in to be rescued and adopted. This means more lives saved! 

Source: The Dodo 

The post How Quickly These Awesome Pouches Help Kittens Get Adopted Will Blow Your Mind appeared first on PawSoCute.