Stray Kittens Survive Two Snowstorms in Homemade Shelter

Stray Kittens Survive Two Snowstorms in Homemade Shelter

Photo: Jess

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

My friend is known for her reputation as being a "cat whisperer", and she had made a feral cat shelter for her little visitors in her backyard in 2013.

That year, the winter here in Denver was especially long and hard, and that shelter proved to be life-saving. Even though the shelter was just a trash can with insulation, a little stray calico made her home in there and survived two snow storms.


SHARE YOUR OWN RESCUE STORY

One day, when my friend was checking on the shelter, she saw a tiny kitten wandering out around the entrance of the trash can, and she called me to say she needed my help. When I got to her house, we came up with a plan to separate the mama from the babies so we could get everyone inside safely and check out the situation.

Photo: Jess from Denver, CO

It was much easier than anticipated. She lured the mama into a carrier and then we hustled the trash can inside and put everyone into her guest bedroom.

The mama cat (later named Cleo) was not upset at all by this maneuver, mostly because my friend had developed a relationship with her and she felt safe. So, with Cleo's permission and under her watchful eye, we pulled out the insulation to find three kittens.

Much to our relief, there was no evidence of more kittens or any deaths. Somehow, these babies survived below freezing temps for weeks in the shelter my friend had built! We estimated them to be about 2 or 3 weeks old when we found them, based on their eye color and size.

I had been looking for a buddy for my young adult male cat (Puddin), and this was fate. One little kitten out of the bunch had a tiny pink nose and won my heart right away. I named him Goo. When Goo was ready to come home, Puddin fell in love, too, and the two are now eternally bonded.

Photo: Jess from Denver, CO

Goo still has a feral streak, but as he gets older, it gets better.

Story submitted by Jess from Denver, Colorado.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!

Guest Contributor

Stories from our readers, contributions from our friends in the animal rescue world, updates from charitable partners, and more!

Back to blog