Foster cat dad, Abdul Williams, and his wife Shamiyan took in two 3-week-old kittens, later named Ash and Ember.
The duo run Abdul’s Cats, begun after fostering their first cat, Bambi, from a kill shelter in North Carolina.
Now, Bambi is the resident queen who acts as the kittens’ foster mom (otherwise known as a foster fail since the couple kept her). In a little over a year, they fostered over 20 cats and want to surpass the goal of 100 and beyond.
Before meeting Bambi, Abdul didn’t think he was a cat person.
“My whole perception of cats were they were kind of mean and aloof and to themself,” Abdul told Daily Paws. “That wasn’t my experience at all,” he said after meeting Shamiyan’s cat.
After being around cats, he found that he was happier around cats, and they even helped with anxiety. One day, he hopes to start and run a rescue of his own.
As cat sanctuaries and rescues struggled due to the pandemic, he and his wife took in as many kittens as they could to help out.
Abdul’s Cats, Ash and Ember, images and media via Instagram/abdulscats
Ash and Ember
While Abdul and Shamiyan cared for Ash and Ember, they took in three more little furballs: Fanta, Sprite, and Dr. Pepper. It was the most kittens they had ever fostered at a time as they helped out the local shelters.
“Foster cat family photo! After a ton of head rubs and treats, I was able to get all of the foster cats to sit still long enough for this picture 😂 Bambi would swoop in every once in a while to take a treat but wanted to take a picture on her own lol.”
“Fanta, Sprite, and Dr. Pepper are making great strides with socialization and will be ready for their new homes after their spay/neuters next week! Even though they’re different ages and from different families, they get along so well with Ash & Ember. ”
Abdul’s fans voted for the names Ember (orange) and Ash (grey). For a long time, Abdul believed they were sisters. Later, when it was time for spay and neuter, he learned that Ember was a little boy.
🐈⬛ Their Purrsonalities Emerge 🐈
On Instagram, Abdul introduced the kittens in a video, and they loved being cuddled up together. Fortunately, these two avoided panleukopenia, testing negative although previously housed with a kitten with the contagious and dangerous disease. However, they would need URI medication, and Abdul would take them to the vet for checkups.
“So far, Ember has been a little explorer, and Ash is more cautiously curious,” Abdul stated. “They spend all the time they’re not exploring or playing cuddled up together.”
On Christmas Day, Abdul shared more of Ash and Ember, whose personalities were emerging fast.
“Ash is a very ALERT kitten. She sleeps with her eyes open 😂 Meanwhile, Ember does not have a care in the world, sleeps anywhere, and is obsessed with toys. They’re doing great so far and adjusting quickly!”
Within days, Ash and Ember were becoming more playful. As with kittens and cats everywhere, a brown paper bag offers unlimited play opportunities.
Later, Ember became obsessed with her mouse toy, rigorously protecting it from Ash. Another day, while Abdul was playing video games, he found a creative solution to keep Ember entertained.
“Hear me out: easy head rub access, great napping place, and you’ll never lose your cat again! Ember actually didn’t seem to mind it and stayed there for a few minutes after I released her from my hair 😂”
The Kittens Find a Forever Home Together
One of the hardest parts of fostering kittens is that day when they find their new homes. However, you can’t keep ’em all. In mid-February, Ash and Ember found their new home in the Queen City, and these bonded kittens will be together forever.
“This is probably one of my favorite progress pics because Ash looks like a little alien in her ‘before’ photo 😂 ,” Abdul shared.
“These kittens went to their forever home last week! I appreciate all the love you all have shown them as they grew. They were such a special pair and I’m so happy they get to continue their journey in a loving home together.”
Now, in their new home, Ash and Ember are as snuggly as ever. Also, they have new names: Elliott and Olivia. To keep up with these two cuties, you can follow their new Instagram page. #abdulsalumni
Ember, now Olivia in new home
You can follow Abdul’s Cats on TikTok and Instagram.
Video by Daily Paws:
