Jamie, a Kitten Foster Mom with LA-based Baby Kitten Rescue, took in six kittens she named “The Musicians Litter.” Why did they get this name? When they arrived, Jamie had the cutest unboxing ever, showing these were tiny vocalists meowing loud and proud. They were just 4 weeks old and needed bottle feeding every 3 hours and screaming for food and attention.
First, they arrived at the home via a kind friend, Kristina, who carried them from a high-kill shelter. Shockingly, the kittens would have been euthanized at the shelter if not for these ladies. Overwhelmed shelters often can’t care for all the kittens that come in. Each tiny baby requires round-the-clock feeding and medical care.
Fortunately, we can all breathe a sigh of relief and watch these lucky kittens sing. They found themselves in a wonderful foster home with Jamie and her partner Geoff. They have been fostering kittens since 2018, rescuing somewhere around 200 cats in that time. Geoff also does TNR (trap, neuter, release) in the LA area.
“We both decided to start fostering because we thought it would be “fun,” and it is, but that is just one part of the fostering experience. We quickly learned how bad the kitten and cat population is and the dire need for not just fosters but TNR advocates,” wrote Jamie.
Kitten Foster Mom Jamie with Baby Kitten Rescue, Images and media via Instagram/thekittensfoster
Kitten Foster Dad Geoff
While Kristina traveled with the Musicians kittens, Jamie disinfected and cleaned the kitten room in preparation.
“It’s super important to clean thoroughly in between litters even if the previous litter wasn’t sick because contagions come in many forms. You can bring them in on your skin, clothing and shoes.”
Box O’ Kittens Dubbed The Musicians
As soon as the kitten arrived, they proved to be “the most vocal” group they had cared for. In purrticular, Freddie Mercury was a singer with powerful lungs, anxious whenever his foster parents left the room.
“It’s fascinating to me how quickly some kittens realize how they can communicate with humans. In the wild, the mama teaches them to be quiet so they don’t attract predators. From the moment I opened that box, they were singing the song of their people. 😂”
The Musicians litter:
Freddie Mercury
“Freddie is the one that inspired me to name these kittens after singers because they are all THE MOST vocal kittens we have ever had and we have had some chatty babies.”
Freddie Mercury the kitten
Sting
“Sting also has more of a mellow meow so that’s why we think Sting is an appropriate name.”
Sting the kitten
Stevie Nicks
“Stevie is a plump, sweet, affectionate young lady who wants attention all the time, but she does it in the most endearing way. She’ll just put her paws on you and stare deep into your eyes. 🥹🥰”
Stevie Nicks the kitten
Fiona Apple
“I can already tell that Fiona will be the first of the litter to try new things because she has proven to be pretty fearless. At just 4 weeks of age, she’s already climbing up my back to hangout on my shoulders. 😂”
Fiona Apple the kitten
Iggy Pop
“This little ginger boy is totally obsessed with his brother, Freddie. Their bond was very obvious from the start. They do everything together. They are also two of the screamiest of the litter. Screamer McScreamersons.”
Iggy Pop the kitten
Janis Joplin
“Janis is the tiniest of these babies but she is the mightiest. She has no problem making sure she is seen and heard and FED. This girl can EAT! Like a lot a lot. It’s freaking adorable. Little piggy 🐷 We like our babies eating a lot and these kittens so far are very good at that. 🤞”
Janis Joplin the kitten
The Musician Kittens’ Early Days
As is common, the shelter kittens started showing health issues a couple of days after arriving. So the foster parents went into “critical care mode.” They know that symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting can indicate parasites or other problems and quickly grow deadly serious.
They started an extensive regimen of treatments like:
- subcutaneous fluids
- B12
- probiotics
- anti-parasitic meds
- Supplemental vitamins/minerals/protein/sugar
- Lots of love and TLC
Fortunately, the musicians had great appetites and the best care. Thus, all recovered and started to thrive. During this time, Janis and Stevie competed for the title of messiest eaters.
“Freddie (cautiously) walking into Monday…”
“Not Janis needing to be included in everything. 😂”
The Kittens Magically Bonded *After* Being Chosen by Families
By August, it was time for the Musicians to find homes. Amazingly, Jamie says the kittens naturally began bonding with each other after they were pre-adopted. It’s as if they somehow sensed it. After a family chose to adopt Fiona and Sting together, they suddenly became inseparable.
“None of the kittens were showing any particular bonds with each other until after we confirmed their adopters. It’s so interesting how that happened. Freddie and Iggy are even showing a bond now. Stevie and Janis are still the independent little ladies they always were. It feels so validating when everything pans out in this way,” Jamie wrote.
You can see how close Fiona and Sting became right after someone decided to bring them home forever. It’s definitely magical.
“These two. 🥰🥹 Fiona and Sting are inseparable these days. It’s absolute magic that they are being adopted together.”
“Sting and Fiona are pre-adopted together! They are both going to a loving family and this duo couldn’t be more perfect for each other. Both Fiona and Sting are firecrackers with endless amounts of energy that only the two of them could compete with. I have no doubt they will have so much fun and get so much love in their new home.”
The Healing Power of Musicians and Kittens
Importantly, the kittens found their homes after being spayed, neutered, and microchipped. The kittens also participated in a Kitten Therapy event that helped them learn social skills at a mental health recovery facility. There’s real healing power in caring for kittens, and we know music is deeply healing.
“Not only was it very therapeutic for the clients to play with the kittens, but it inspired many of them to want to foster once they complete treatment and go back into the world. Caring for a helpless beings can be so transformative, healing and such a beautiful way to stay centered in life. It gives you purpose and with that purpose you feel a greater desire to care for yourself and live in a healthy way.”
Home for Freddie and Iggy – Spotlight for Stevie and Janis
Next, Freddie and Iggy found a home. As a sensitive kitten, Jamie was thrilled to see Freddie find a home with his newly-bonded sibling. Then, the more independent Stevie found a home where she could be Queen in the spotlight. Doesn’t that sound about right for the incomparable Stevie Nicks?
“[Stevie] is much more interested in humans than she is her siblings. Stevie will make the perfect singleton and will be spoiled by her new adopters who both work from home,” said Jamie.
Meanwhile, the feisty Janis, who loves being the center of attention, found a home with an older kitty and dog.
“Because Stevie was adopted solo, one other kitten had to be adopted solo as well and it was obvious that Janis was the gal for that. She is a ham, always needs to be the center of attention, loves humans, is a total boss baby (and the manager), and isn’t bonded to any of her siblings.”
You can follow Jamie and Geoff and Baby Kitten Rescue to show support and see more adorable foster babies in the Los Angeles area.
