Sasha's Experience - Kotor Kitties

Foster care: Sasha’s experience

Once again, photos of kittens thrown into the streets of Kotor began appearing on the internet in June 2019. They were shown living on construction debris, in a pile of stones and garbage, mixed with boxes and food.

When I saw this, I bought the largest portable hamster cage in Pet Shop and asked a friend to drive me to Kotor and wait. I took a blanket with me to cover the cage. I had to take all remaining kittens and care for them until the moment of their departure to their new house: to feed, treat, vaccinate and prepare all documents.

It was raining, my kittens were found in a carefully placed carrier, covered with a metal sheet. They were trying to warm up in its corner. The most able one ran away immediately, and I moved the other three to the cage in the dark.

At home I have two adult cats. It was impossible to divide the room, for both safety and sanitary reasons, so I brought the kittens to my friends’ office and settled them in a remote room. The kittens could not open their eyes, as their mother did not groom them, because there was no mother. In addition, their noses were clogged and they could not understand what was in front of them – so they did not eat. It is difficult to have a 100% happy ending here, but it’s possible for some percentage of success. And if it is possible, how do you not help?

I lived near the office and came for the first two weeks every few hours, cleaned their tiny eyes and noses, fed them on schedule, and gave them their medication. It didn’t happen right away, but the situation eventually stabilized.

When their health improved, we had pictures taken to advertise them for adoption… but without success.

The kittens lived in the office for a couple of months, and after a couple foster homes they found themselves in a permanent home. One went to England, one went to Russia, and the rest stayed in Montenegro.

Of course, I was very tired, but it was worth it: to see and hear their happy canter in the morning, to watch the progress in recovery, to get photos of the cats from their new homes. I am glad I’ve gone through it!