Just in time for Halloween, we share a group of rescuers named the Hawthorne Witches Tea. These animal lovers sell their witchy brews, a.k.a. full-leaf teas, to help cover the cost of caring for stray cat colonies in Newport, Oregon. They also practice TNR (trap, neuter, return) to keep the kitten population down and care for neonatal kittens, the youngest ones. Plus, they help clean up the coastline from garbage, too. That’s a lot of good these witches do for their community!
This rescue is perfect for the spooky season, sharing memes and fun things that will appeal to your good inner witch. For example, here’s a meme about the Yule Cat, a mythical cat from Iceland.
We’ve shared the story of this giant kitty that encourages people rather firmly to dress warmly in their newest ugly Christmas sweaters – or else.
Images via Instagram/Hawthorne Witches Tea
And they shared the purrfect cat for the goofy Wizards out there.
Black Cats – Good Luck at Halloween and Anytime
Of course, Halloween or Samhain are associated with black cats, but as we know, ignorant stereotypes and superstitions have greatly harmed these kitties, not to mention people labeled “witches.” So we always want to reinforce that black cats are good luck and wonderful companions for anyone. You can see more about how black cats have been bringers of good luck worldwide here. We all know that cats bring good luck because of how Cole changed all of our lives for the better!
The Hawthorne Witches shared this funny meme of a black kitty looking like Bastet, a popular Egyptian goddess protecting and empowering women, children, and the home. Likewise, house panthers protected people from pests and vermin and continue to make purrfect companions.
Now, this is how we should view these beautiful felines, and they still know it.
“Anyone else reminded of Bastet? 🐈⬛”
Hawthorne Witches Tea to Save Kitties
In the port town of Newport, the rescuers come across abandoned cats from international cargo ships. For example, this “scrappy beautiful stray kitty,” Maverick, was likely aboard a ship to catch rodents.
“Maverick was found wandering the streets of Newport; he is extremely friendly and desperate for attention which hints that he was abandoned, a common practice in port towns when there are no longer needed for rodent control aboard international cargo ships,” they wrote. “There is a lot of heartbreak when you work with cats, and black cats have it really bad when it comes to finding homes, especially ones that are no longer kittens with patchy fur.”
Thanks to the rescuers, Maverick found a forever home.
Maverick, the stray cat, finds a home
Although some stray cats may have been aboard ships to catch rodents, some are no longer interested. For example, Gator Tamaki (orange), Mutes (fluffy black), and Lucky (grey and white) like to “vibe” with the mice and hang out instead of catching them.
“We are for team mouse 🐀 ! We have live traps set up everywhere now. While the cats are just curious as to what the mice are doing, my ancient corgi Reba will take no prisoners. You are in danger girl , let me relocate you 🐁⚠️”
After the rescuers from Hawthorne Witches Tea took in five 3-week-old kittens in September 2022, Gator Tamaki, 1, couldn’t wait to help foster them.
Gator Tamaki is a one-year-old ginger cat the Hawthorne Witches trapped in July.
These kittens are “one of the most rambunctious group of kittens” they have ever fostered.
Fortunately, they managed to catch the (extremely) feral calico mom so that she could care for the babies in the home. Later, the mother would be spayed and return to the feral life of her choice. Next, the babies would be spayed and neutered before finding forever homes.
Gator Can’t Wait to Be With the Kittens
As you can see below, Gator is very excited about helping and has an important job for the Hawthorne Witches.
“Still a few weeks away from being old enough to play with the older cats. Our resident cats have a very important job, to teach kittens and strays the ins and outs of how to be indoor cats. Gator has been training really hard so he can teach his first group of kittens! Because cats are such keen observational learners, they can readily learn from other cats, especially if they get along well with one another, and Gator is trained to get along with everyone!”
Gator will help the rescuers “break the ice” with the stray cats and kittens who see all people as scary.
“Interactive feline communication is important for kittens to learn from, but it’s REALLY important for very timid and scared adult cats. As humans, we have an uphill battle because humans can be viewed as a threat. Sometimes it’s just better to have another cat break the ice. Gently cooing that everything’s ok, inviting them to play and honestly just being there. But for now, his job is just kittens, and he’s very excited!”
For more, you can follow The Hawthorne Witches Teas on Instagram and Facebook, and Happy Halloween/Blessed Samhain!
Featured image contains pumpkin image by Efraimstochter via Pixabay, Pixabay License
