Rescuers saved a sweet mother cat named Blackberry, found running through an enormous blackberry patch. A team arrived from the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) of British Columbia and managed to trap Blackberry, her five kittens, and the kitten’s father named Rip!
Blackberry patch where Blackberry the cat and her family were rescued. Images and media via Facebook/Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS)
It’s not often rescuers can bring in an entire cat family at once, and it was “an exercise in patience,” taking about a week to get them all.
“In late May, our trapping team was alerted to a mama cat, at least five young kittens and possibly the baby daddy of the littles. They sought shelter under two buildings and darted in and out of the surrounding blackberry bushes. An exercise in patience, our team successfully trapped the entire family and brought them to safety at RAPS. We named the handsome tuxedo daddy, Rip,” they shared on Facebook.
All the cats and kittens were skittish around people at first.
Blackberry Unexpectedly Bears More Fruit
Later, Blackberry gave her rescuers a big surprise, as she was already pregnant again. They discovered it while she was preparing for her spay surgery, and soon they would have four more kittens requiring foster care.
The rescued dubbed the new batch the “N” litter, and they would raise and find homes for them too.
“Oh my goodness… our hearts!…In preparation for her spay surgery, Blackberry was found to be pregnant again and gave birth in the comfort of a foster home to four crazily cute, healthy kittens. Blackberry is a wonderful and loving mama to her two girls and two boys. This sweet family will remain in the comfort of their foster home until the wee ones are about 8 weeks old and weaned. They’ll then return to the RAPS Adoption Centre to prepare to become adoption ready. Mama Blackberry will receive her spay surgery and become available for adoption as well,” they shared.
The Adorable ‘C Litter’ Find Homes
In early July, the C litter kittens, Caraway, Chives, Chowder, Coriander, and Cayenne, were ready to find homes. They were all cute as buttons.
“The kittens are now 12-weeks-old and are everything you’d expect kittens to be… rambunctious, playful, silly, mischievous and pure, energetic delights! We strongly encourage kittens be adopted in pairs.”
The C litter kittens: Caraway, Chives, Chowder, Coriander, and Cayenne
Below is how the kittens looked as they reached the age to leave the blackberry patch for new adventures.
The C litter kittens ready for adoption: Chives, Chowder, Coriander, and Cayenne
On August 9, RAPS shared that Cayenne and Coriander found forever homes.
“Congratulations to Jen & family on their adoption of sweetie-pie sibling kittens, Cayenne & Coriander! We know these kittens are going to be spoiled with all the love in the world with their new human family.”
Daddy Rip Finds a Forever Home
Although Rip was 5 years old and used to living on the streets, he quickly adapted to life as a house cat, becoming an “amazing love bug.”
“Despite his tough-sounding name, Rip is a solid, head-butting, gentle giant. He is a sweet, tender-hearted boy who loves a good chin scratch and rubbing up against people’s legs,” the rescuers shared.
On August 18, RAPS shared that Rip found a forever home and would never father more babies needing rescue.
“Baby-making days over, Rip received a neuter, dental and vaccinations. We know Rip is going to live the life of luxury with his new pawrents, Ellen & Ralph. We wish them all the happiness in the world and look forward to happy updates.”
Regional Animal Protection Society
The Regional Animal Protection Society in Richmond, BC, Canada, has one of the largest cat sanctuaries in North America. Hundreds of feral, abandoned, and surrendered cats call the beautiful sanctuary a permanent home. Over 200 volunteers care for them, but they also have an adoption and education center, animal hospital, and fostering network.
“Our dream is of a community where no stray cats roam the streets, and where all animals are loved, respected and have lifelong homes,” they wrote.
You can see more about their amazing sanctuary in our previous post and on the RAPS Facebook and Instagram.
One of the C litter kittens named Caraway
