Intake of kittens

Some kittens will come to you dirty, covered in fleas, injured, or unhealthy. There is no way to know what is coming. But its worth it, no matter the outcome, you are giving this kitten love, security, and warmth. 

Remember to always quarantine any new kitten for at least two weeks. This includes from your personal pets and any kittens you may already have in your home. 

Some kittens can not thrive. They lack something that we can not give them. 

Some kittens are sick and no medication will make them well in time. 

Some kittens have congenital issues that we may never know about. 

No matter the cause it can be extremely devastating. 

For me, knowing I kept a kitten warm, fed it a warm meal, showed love and affection...each of these (not all of them together) are acts of love. If that kitten is loved in the end it is better than starving or freezing to death on the street or under a house alone. 

I have discovered that doing what is right by the animal is the only option. No animal should suffer. Early on I realized there is a limit to what I could do, what I could achieve when working with a kitten. I can do my best to get a kitten to eat but If they aren't thriving I can't change that. Sometimes knowing you have done all you can, giving it your all, giving the kitten a chance, giving the kitten warm food, a warm bed, and security has to be all you can give them. If the kitten is suffering, a decision has to be made. In the end, when you choose to stop the suffering, you are putting the animals needs first. 

Care givers in all areas need to be kind to themselves, grieve the way they need to, and take the time they need. 

Whether I have a kitten at home dying a natural death or a kitten at work being euthanized, I put them in the neck of my shirt, I rock them, and speak to them as they die. Even after they are gone I say all that needs to be said. And I like to think that comforts them. Because of you, they are not alone when they die, and they are loved and warm.  

I love each kitten with my entire heart, and I do my all for each of them. There are some I bond with more. It may be because of their specific needs or the total time I spent with them. Some kittens we bury at home and some we don't. When I have a kitten die, a lot of times I wont wash their bed clothes or clean the nursery for a few days and I have a difficult time throwing out their formula. Its my way of grieving. I also post on FB about the kitten and my feelings.