Two of our three cats had kittens, in the most unusual of places. While the cats were expecting, I kept wondering where they would choose to have them, knowing they would want to find a safe place for them, and knowing our garage wasn't exactly the Mayo Clinic. I even tried to make spaces they might like. Did they choose any of them? Nooooooo. They had to get creative. They had them in our attic.
The problem is, we don't have an attic. Our ceilings are all vaulted except two small areas into which there is no access, unless you are a cat. Those two areas are in the space between the roof lines and the ceilings in our two dormers. One cat chose one dormer, the other chose the other. Both dormers had enough space between the siding and the roof way up in the eaves. And I do mean way up there, so that even a human arm can't bend enough to get up there.
So they had the kittens, and for four or five weeks there they were. Aftera while, you could hear them. The space was perfect they were dry when it rained and they were clearly out of range of coyotes, dogs, snakes, skunks, and even humans. The weather was cool so that space was naturally warm, and all seemed ideal until the weather warmed up.
The day the temperature hit 85 degrees I couldn't stop thinking about those kittens. If it was 85 degrees in the yard what was it under the heat of the asphalt roof with zero ventilation? The mama cats were dark colored, one being all black, so those kittens likely were heat absorbing tones as well.
So I was releived when I came home for lunch one day and found one of them carrying a little black fur ball in her mouth. She climbed accross the roof and jumped across a deep chasm to the stairwell leading up to my office above the detached garage, climed down the stairs and into one of the spaces I had made in the garage for them. One down, would she get the others?
A little later I came back; still only one. So I got the ladder out and picked mama up and onto the roof we went. I put her close to her den-hole and in she went. About 30 seconds later, out she came with another little fur ball. I gently took it from her and there was a few tense moments between kitten and mama cat while I descended the ladder and deposited the second with the first. Mama stayed on the roof and patiently waited for me to return, at which time she went into her hole and brought out the next one.
We repeated that process for her entire litter, and then with the next one as well since the other mama cat was nowhere to be found. (she still hasn't returned) We now have nine healthy, beautiful kittens and all but the first were rescued in this way.
I think mama cat is a hero. Though she would probably say she was just doing her job. (if she could talk) What drama, and what a cool memory. I wish I had it on video.
It has been a little over a week since the rescue operation, and all the kittens are growing and getting cuter by the day. They are eating solid food and most of them are getting socialized. We will keep a few and find good homes for the rest. The Bible tells us to be kind to animals. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't.
phil
