Most animal advocates support the spaying and neutering of pets. The world is already flooded with poor, abandoned animals with no place to call home. With some luck, these kitties may be rescued and adopted— but most of them end up living a tired, lonely life on the street.
Debbie Harris, an experienced cat fosterer based in Virginia, is all too familiar with the consequences of failing to spay and neuter pets. To date, she has fostered anywhere from 300-400 cats and kittens— many being byproducts of this unfortunate scenario.
In an e-mail to our staff, Debbie says, “I started fostering in 2004 after I found kittens behind the building that I worked at. I called a few rescue groups in my area for help, and one group stood out and was very helpful.
The representative asked me if I could foster the kittens in my home until they were old enough to be adopted… My family agreed, and the rest is history.”
Earlier this past February, Debbie agreed to foster a gorgeous, pregnant cat with emerald eyes. The kitty, named Venus, was abandoned at a shelter by a woman who claimed to have “found” her. The woman said she had planned on keeping the feline but changed her mind when she realized the cat was pregnant.
When Debbie picked Venus up on February 5th, she shared an Instagram video introducing her to the world.
Alongside the video, she wrote: “For almost every pregnant cat surrendered to the shelter, this is the same story the staff hears over and over.
Whether the woman owned her or not, this beauty was obviously someone’s beloved pet.”
Vets told Debbie that Venus was less than one year old. As was expected, an ultrasound revealed multiple kitten spines, and it was estimated the expecting mother would give birth in less than a week.
In the week leading up to Venus’s labor, Debbie worked hard to earn her trust.
“We bonded very quickly,” she explained. “It’s important for me to bond with my mother cats before they give birth, so that she trusts me enough to handle the kittens.”
On February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Venus started going into labor. In a post, Debbie writes, “I am incredibly nervous for her because she is so young and tiny. I hope and pray that everything goes well.”
“Venus— “Goddess of love and beauty. I think this describes her purrfectly! And for her to have her kittens on Valentine’s Day makes it even more fitting and special.”
After a relatively smooth labor, Venus gave birth to four perfect kittens.
The kittens were nicknamed ‘The Galaxy Kittens” and given names related to the night sky.
“I have the most fun with naming my fosters!” Debbie said. “I gave Venus her name and love to name with themes.
The names come to me after I have spent some time observing the kitties for a while. I have to study their faces, coloring, and genders play a role in naming, of course.”
The first-born kitten was a female, and Debbie named her Vega after one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
The next kitten was a tuxedo boy named Cosmo.
The third was a tricolor female named Nova.
And the last, a tricolor brother named Astro.
Even though Venus is just a baby herself, she’s a natural at caring for her kiddos.
“Venus is a constant purr machine and expert biscuit maker,” Debbie said. “She spends all of her days, cleaning, nursing and catering to her babies.”
“The kittens have adjusted very well.”
Vega seems to the bravest of the bunch. “She is the most confident, and doesn’t take any crap from the boys.”
And little Cosmo has sprouted eyebrows that make him look like an adorable, old man!
Thanks to Debbie’s love and care, Venus and all four of her babies have been pre-adopted into loving, forever homes!
PLEASE NOTE: Debbie’s fostering is supported mainly by donations. If you’d like to donate towards rescuing homeless kittens, please do so here. There is also an Amazon Wish List, where you can purchase items specifically for their care.
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