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Someone very heartless and lacking all empathy dumped three ginger kittens in a plastic bag on the side of the road. Such cruelty makes us wonder about humankind, but we must remember all the wonderful people versus the few evil seeds. Thankfully, someone found the two-week-old kittens before they perished and brought them to a veterinarian in Zimbabwe, north of South Africa.

At such a young age, these kittens needed round-the-clock bottle feeding for weeks still.  Busy vets and shelters often can’t accommodate such needs, so they rely on rescuers and fosterers to help. So, once the kittens were given treatment, the vets contacted Cat Rescue Zim, based in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. We’re happy to see these rescuers carry out TNR (trap, neuter, return) efforts for feral cats in the area! While focusing on TNR, they don’t usually take in surrendered kittens or cats.

With donations from kind people in the area, the rescuers could line up an experienced foster mom with kitten formula and other supplies. Then, it was up to her to ensure the kitten got the bottle every 2-3 hours all day and night. The sacrifice is generally thankless, but the immediate reward is seeing many kittens thrive and become adorable, playful furbabies.

bottle baby ginger tabby, Cat Rescue Zim, Zimbabwe, Harare, Africa

Images and media via Instagram/catrescuezim

Dumped Ginger Kittens Get New Foster Mom/Angel

Since these babies needed neonatal care, the rescuers contacted an experienced foster mom. If you are new to fostering, starting with older babies, which need valuable socializing, AKA cuddles and playtime, is generally best.

The rescue shared a helpful video that describes how the foster mom had to work with a syringe until the kittens learned to latch to a bottle. She also helped the kittens, as their mother cat would, to gently express their bladder and bowels. Another important part of fostering is to be a watchful owl, watching for any signs of trouble as kittens can quickly become critically sick.

“DUMPED! 3 two week old kittens were found in a plastic bag on the side of a road. They are now in our foster system receiving the best possible care.”

The Ginger Kittens are Sisters

As the ginger kittens grew, their foster mom continued closely monitoring them. At this time, the rescuers suspected that not one but all three of the babies were ginger females! Females are much less common, with 80% of orange tabbies born male like Marmalade. Therefore, both parent cats had the gene for orange fur, and all three females inherited both genes.

At four weeks old, the rescuers believed they were females, but it can be hard to know for sure at a young age.

“They have just turned 4 weeks old and are doing well so far, eating well, putting on weight and starting to discover their surroundings. They are still extremely vulnerable at this age, so our foster mum is being very cautious and observing them very closely. She is an angel when it comes to teenies, so we know they are in safe hands,” they shared.

Ginger kittens, Cat Rescue Zim, Zimbabwe, Africa

Susie, Jane, and Thumbelina. Photo by Lorna Harvey via Instagram/ Cat Rescue Zim

Susie, Jane, and Thumbelina

Then, they introduced the sister’s names:

“We think they are all females (this may change), so say hi to Susie, Jane and Thumbelina.”

Once the ginger kittens reached eight weeks old, their delightful purrsonalities emerged. 

  • Jane – the live wire who loves to explore
  • Thumbelina – confident and social
  • Susie – Gentle and relaxed

After being spayed or neutered, rescued kittens are ready to find homes. Generally, the age for pediatric spay or neutering is around six to eight weeks of age, depending on their health and vet’s recommendations. Here’s when the much awaited confirmation of the kittens sex is discovered. Occasionally leading to name adjustments, or not. Because “would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?” Yeah. It probably still would. 

Cat Rescue Zim, Harare, Zimbabwe, TNR, trap, neuter, return, rescued ginger kittens

You can see more about these ginger kittens and learn about TNR (trap, neuter, return) on Facebook and Instagram.

The three (confirmed) sisters were ready for homes. And who wouldn’t want to adopt the trio together?! Although it might seem like more work, adopting bonded duos, or in this case, a trio, can make it easier for people in many ways.

Here are some helpful reasons for adopting a duo from Cat Man Chris:

Cat Man Chris fives reasons to adopt 2 kittens

Cat Man Chris fives reasons to adopt 2 kittens. Image by Cat Man Chris/Facebook

 

 

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