our barn will never be the same

As you may recall, last summer three kitten siblings came home with us to be our barn cats. After twice a day gentling for what seemed like forever, they have all come around to be absolute lovies. Even Brad's wild tabico kitten. 

Our kitties are far from feral, and aren't really even classic barn cats. They are more like indoor-outdoor cats. Or will be, once we let them explore the great outdoors. We wanted to give them the best chance of survival by getting them fixed, shots and preventive care before letting them roam. Especially since this area seems to have an above average number of feral cats. 

With two females, we opted to take our kittens to our regular vet. We do have feral cat Spay Clinics with reasonably priced altering. However, depending on the clinic we learned cats get little to no medication and are not monitored. It was a pricey decision, times three. Call me crazy, but I even had them chipped.

July/August at 3-4 months:

Leo (a big overly friendly vocal guy) 

Purr (Brad's wide eyed cautious sweet girl)

Tinkerbell (a very quick tiny playful girl)

Tank is their favorite play toy

The kittens love "helping" with chores

September/October at 4-5 months:

Tinkerbell, randomly attempts flying at any given moment

Leo, can be frequently found lounging

Purr, always watches before joining up

Leo and Purr's favorite thing to do is "help" Brad fill hay bags. Disclaimer, no cats were fed or harmed in the filling of hay bags.

Yes, that is a cat in the hay bag (silly Purr climbed in) 

Leo always joins in the fun

Entertainment at it's finest

Brad's cat likes to be near him, if filling bags she is on him.
Purr loves him best.

Leo frequently hitches a ride

The kittens absolutely love the dogs!
Remi (grand-dog) isn't around as much, so it's extra fun to bug her
She is fluffy fun, especially her wagging tail.

Purr, Tinkerbell and Leo

November/December at 6-7 months:

The kittens spent 10 days in jail 'er heated barn saloon
healing after getting fixed (view through window)

They were so happy to get out,
where everything is a toy (Leo)

Purr loving on Tank 

Leo & Tank have become best friends
(Brads iphone pic)

There is no avoiding these lovable kittens (Leo)
Even the guy who doesn't like cats, loves them all.

Our kitties seem to like having the run of the barn. We have plenty of open windows (weather permitting) with fresh air views, mice to catch and everything is an obstacle to play with. Let me tell you, these three little furry trouble makers have changed the dynamics in our barn. It will never be the same. For the better.

two or three

A couple weeks ago we went to our neighbors for an outdoor dinner & fire. They had barn kitties looking for homes, so we agreed to take two. They said they tried to socialize the kittens, but they were very scared and scattered everywhere humans weren't. Hard to pick out what you can't see. Even the mama cats ran and hid. I caught a glimpse of a cute black kitty with white tipped paws and whiskers.

Imagine my surprise when the next day Brad said we should get "two or three". Shocker! This from the guy who doesn't like cats, and has put up with mine since day one. He thinks three will increase our odds of having a couple stick around.

When we went to pick them up they corralled the 8 week old kittens, or tried to. They still hid, but were easier to find. First one grabbed was a light grey cutie, which has since turned into a love bug. He is social, funny, loves to be held and purrs the entire time. He will crawl up on your lap if you ignore him.

The next one to come home with us was the black kitty with white paws that I wanted. It is small and very scared. I am still not sure of it's gender, think it's a female. This kitty is also playful and very fast. It has recently started purring when held, but unlike it's grey sibling would rather not be picked up.

Then came the third cat. Brad's cat. I told him if he wanted three, he had to pick it out!! I only wanted two. That poor third kitty was hissing and clawing, trying to escape when it got caught by it's tail :( and then by it's back leg. Dangling. Brad felt sorry for it, and promptly spoke up saying we will take that one too. Our neighbors are very kind people, I absolutely know it wasn't grabbed that way on purpose. It was just a wild crazy one. Still is.

We (mostly me) work with our kittens every day, multiple times. However my patience is wearing thin with Brad's untrusting cat. After days of gentling, I tried to kindly pick it up and the silly thing went bananas. Not that I blame it after it's past experience while being picked up. HIS CAT is going to take some serious time and patience. She (I think it's a she?) is coming around at a snails pace. There are some cats you just can't hold, and I think this may be one of them. Although Brad picked her up yesterday for the first time, and she didn't go crazy. Now he is a cat whisperer too {roll eyes} !!

My family have all warned me not to get close to these kittens. I am well aware the risk of loss with barn cats is profoundly higher. I still plan to get them fixed, feed them and give them basic vet care. I don't want sick cats hanging around, multiplying. We have not named them yet, everybody asks. I have a few ideas, but they are not all PC lol.

They live in one of the stalls for now, with tall cardboard blocking the slats. I put all kinds of fun cat loving things inside for their entertainment, most of which we had. I only bought one toy, and a soft pillow type bed on sale for $11. The little busy bodies use everything. They are a hoot to play with, chasing the dressage whip around.

The light grey kitty is sooo very sweet. I am considering finding him an inside home, or he may just be a well loved barn cat. 

Brad's cat is hiding under the far box, right flap

If you hang around long enough, all three come out to play

For now I am free feeding the kittens a high protein grain free dry kitten food. They also get a small can of shared wet kitten food most days as a treat, for less stress petting. I have high hopes that they will all survive, and stick around the barn. Time will tell.