Someone left Flora, a tiny mewing calico kitten, in a wooden box on a sidewalk in New York. Fortunately, her luck changed because she ended up with a highly-experienced rescuer Heidi from Heidi Wrangles Cats, based in Brooklyn.
As she has often done, Heidi shared a valuable nugget of information for foster providers out there. If she had not known from experience what type of kitten formula to offer, the kitten’s health might have continued to decline. When kittens are this small, things can go wrong rapidly, so it’s so lucky that Flora ended up in “Chez Heidi.”
Flora Abandoned On a Sidewalk
It’s a little crazy to think about, but somebody had been trying to care for Flora. But then, they realized they didn’t know what to do for her, as she was distressed with diarrhea. So they abandoned her in a box on a sidewalk. Left alone, she was covered in filth, and it was only by sheer luck that someone found her and reacted in time.
Next to the box, there were supplies to care for Flora. So, when Heidi received her, she knew what type of kitten formula the person had been using. From experience, the foster mom knew that switching the kitten to a different formula was critical and could stop the kitten’s diarrhea.
In this case, Heidi switched the kitten from the readily-available KMR brand to a formula she personally had more success with called Breeders Edge. By making the switch, Flora’s health improved in a few days, which might have saved her life. For those out there attempting to foster kittens, it’s important to know that the type of formula could mean success or failure, depending on the kitten’s digestion.
Furthermore, whoever “rescued” Flora may have unintentionally done harm by separating her from her mother. As we always say, keeping the mother cat with her litter is the best option if possible, but we don’t know the circumstances.
“Breeders Edge provides the most consistent poops for our little ones! Also, another PSA, Flora likely never needed to be removed from her mother; when you find kittens this age, unless they’re in immediate danger, always wait and watch for mom for a few hours before removing them. She is likely close by! Anyways, love you Flora, welcome!” Heidi shared.
Images and media via Instagram/heidiwranglescats
Growing Up Strong In ‘Chez Heidi’
With Heidi to care for her, Flora made a full recovery. Below is how she looked on day one, and she was a little sad:
Flora on day 1
Next, we see Flora after five days, and she’s a feisty little spitfire. Heidi says the picture below best represents her purrsonality.
“She has SO much personality and is always hollering at me for attention,” she said.
Flora after 5 days
After ten days, Flora started looking chonky and healthy, as every fosterer wants to see.
Kitten at 10 days
Flora Meets Buttercream
While Heidi took a vacation, Flora stayed with foster mom Kyla from Eccentrickittens. Right away, Flora became best friends, as Buttercream, a larger white and black kitten, decided to take the little one under her wing, giving her baths. By coincidence, Flora is a brand of spread similar to margarine, so she naturally paired with a kitten named Buttercream.
When Buttercream wasn’t snuggling with Flora, the two were having playful wrestling matches.
Although Buttercream is almost twice as big, he was gentle and taught her “how to cat.” And foster mom Kyla was incredibly patient too!
These kittens were simply meant to be, so the rescuers decided they would be adopted together as a dynamic duo. Adopting in pairs is a great idea for many reasons, and we strongly encourage it, although there are sometimes exceptions to the rule.
Images and media via Instagram/eccentrickittens
It looks like these two cuties found a forever home together. If you’re in the Brooklyn area, you can find a purrfect duo like this one, donate, or find out about fostering furbabies at Heidi Wrangles Cats and Eccentric Kittens.
