Twin tabby kittens in MD -- will deliver *anywhere*!

[Erin]

I'm fostering a pair of kittens who were trapped from a feral colony living around an apartment building on the east side of Baltimore. They are about four months old, so they're "teenagers" -- not teeny tiny guys. They have never been around people, so I'm working on socializing them til they're tame enough to be put at a rescue for adoption. I thought I'd go ahead and post them here, though, because they're just so stinkin' cute. :D And knowing the animal-savvy audience here, I thought someone might be interested in finishing their socialization themselves. It's pretty neat to see them make progress and learn how to be pampered housecats!

A disclaimer: the kittens are not tame yet. They can be petted in the crate (and purr and enjoy it, although it takes a little while to get them "warmed up"), and I'm starting to let them out for playtime in a closed room. They are still pretty wary of people, and can't be picked up yet. But they make quick progress -- I've only had them a week. They just need some quiet patience and lots of positive experiences. I'm told food and toys are the keys to winning kittens over, and it's working great so far. ;)

I *believe* they are girls, but I've only been able to get quick peeks so can't be sure. They are identical in coloring (very pretty silver tabbies with white, and tan undertones... almost like dilute calico with tabby stripes on top!), except for the fact that one has green eyes and the other yellow. I have thus dubbed them Amber and Emerald. :winkgrin: Amber is slightly bigger and is more gregarious and adventuresome. "Emmie" is more quiet and reserved and defers to her big sister. They are presumably littermates... at the apartment building, they were always seen curled up together under a bush, which was their only shelter. Since they've always been together, I'd like them to stay together -- plus I think it helps their confidence to have the other around.

They have not been fixed yet, nor had their shots or been tested for FIV/FELV -- figured I'd wait til they were tame enough to be handled easily. But if someone wanted to take them now, low cost spay/shots/etc. could be arranged now or at a later date. I have them in a multi-tiered crate that I'd be happy to loan out if someone wanted to continue using it.

Basically, these guys just need some time, attention, and lots of positive reinforcement. I don't know how long it will take for them to be totally tame... and I'm in no hurry to get rid of them. They're just SO cute and so much fun, I thought there might be a potential adopter out there who's interested in "finishing" them themselves and wants to enjoy their kitten antics in the meantime. ;)

Here's Emmie:

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0076.jpg

And here's Amber:

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0080.jpg

And here's a whole album of kitten cuteness. (http://picasaweb.google.com/eharty/Kittens) (They're still spending most of their time in the crate, so hard to get good pictures... more to come!)

I'll only adopt them out now to a really experienced cat person. But if there are people who want them but don't feel comfortable taking them til they're socialized, that's fine too -- no rush, I'm enjoying having them!

They're in the midst of a full-on wrestling match behind me right now. This time of the evening is apparently playtime! :D

[incentive]

Erin, your good works for the critters continues! They are particularly lovely babies. If there were any room at the inn, I'd be on the way to get them. Alas, no can do, but I did find a home for a corgi in need. The BB is a wonderful resource. Good luck with the twins.

[Erin]

A bump for the tabby twins!

The little guys are getting braver by the day. I can pick Amber up for brief periods... Emmie is still a little shy, but is getting better all the time. They're spending most of their time out of the crate now, but still locked in my office so I can keep track of them. ;) Both like to be petted and love to be played with... it's just a matter of slowly introducing them to new concepts (like being picked up) and making sure they're having lots of positive experiences.

They are totally freaking adorable, though. :D

[Erin]

Kitten update!

Amber has turned into a total attention hog. She looooooves to be petted and just purrs and purrs and purrs. I've been working on picking her up and holding her in my lap for brief periods and she's making progress there. :)

Emmie is still not sure about this whole petting program, but is totally on board with playtime! (Even though her sister usually butts in and steals the toys.) She won't come up and ask for petting like Amber will, but if you corner her somewhere and MAKE her let you pet her, she remembers that she actually likes it. :D She's also a licker!

They're allowed out of "their" room during the day now and have the run of the house, so they can get used to all the normal stuff that goes with indoor kitty life. They finally figured out how to climb up on my (very tall) bed today and decided that it is the PERFECT place for kitten wrestling! ;) Emmie actually is the braver of the two when it comes to exploring -- she's out and about more than her sister.

They are still works in progress, but are definitely enjoying the indoor life! I would consider splitting them up if someone was interested in only one... although they are such good buds, I really hope they can find a home together.

[Erin]

Here's another bump for the kittens. :)

They're allowed free rein in the house now, which they think is just fantastic! Both of them get along very well with the other cats -- Emmie really seeks out attention from the other guys, and rubs all over them. She loooooooves everybody! But they both have the sense to back off if the other cat isn't feeling friendly. And both are totally OK with the dog, even walking right under her belly if she happens to be in their way.

They both sleep with me at night -- Amber in particular likes to "hunt" my feet under the blankets. :winkgrin: And they're both out and about and being social most of the day. Actually, they're both pretty brave too -- they aren't too spooked by loud noises, the doorbell, etc. Emmie actually followed me around as I was vacuuming the other day, trying to inspect the vacuum cleaner!

Emmie is still a little behind her sister as far as her socialization progress goes, but I can pretty much pet her whenever and wherever now. Amber's gotten to the point where she'll sit in my lap for a minute or so, if I pick her up and hold her there, but I haven't even tried to pick up Emmie yet. She needs to go at a slower pace than her sister, I think.

They may never be the kind of cats you can pick up and snuggle -- I think they prefer to come to people on their own terms. But considering their age when I got them, they've really made tremendous progress. (The prime socialization age for feral kittens is supposed to be 8-10 weeks, I think.) They're very affectionate, very interested in people, well-behaved, use the litter box and scratching post, etc. ... they're just plain GREAT little kittens! (Actually, not so little anymore! ;) )

They'll go get spayed, vaccinated, tested, etc. this coming Monday. "Kitten season" will be here shortly and soon there will be a new crop of littler, cuter kittens than these guys, and I *really* want to find them an inside home together.

I'll be going to Rolex in Lexington in April and to my parents' in Chicago sometime soon... I also go to Pittsburgh occasionally. I'd be happy to deliver these guys anywhere within reasonable driving distance, and even if it's unreasonable, something could probably be worked out! ;)

The album linked in the first post is updated with more recent pictures, but here are a couple of favorites...

Emmie having a bath on a sunny windowsill:

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0165.jpg

Amber's favorite napping spot inside a closet:

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0174.jpg

Emmie thinks clean laundry is just perfect for napping on:

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0147.jpg

And Amber reeeeeaally likes to watch the birds!

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0176.jpg

[Simkie]

Oh my, they are adorable. Thanks for the pictures :) I hope they find their forever place soon. I would be sorely tempted were I a bit closer, but DO have a whole herd of cats already...

[Erin]

Another kitten update!

They got spayed and got their shots, and are FIV/FeLuk negative. Emmie is still making slow progress; Amber is really quite tame, although picking her up is still something we're working on. They are 6 months old now, so they look less like kittens and more like young cats, but they still play HARD!

They both sleep on me at night, get along great with my other cats and the dog, play with each other, are curious about everything, and are just all-around cute, adorable and sweet little kitties. They are getting better all the time, but I would imagine that they're probably not ever going to be the kind of cats you can scoop up and give a bear hug to! And yes, getting them into a carrier to go to the vet is always going to be a challenge. :winkgrin: But considering where they started, they've really come a long, long way... they like the housekitty life and like "their" person!

I am sort of afraid that I'm going to get stuck with them, though... :uhoh: I adore them and wouldn't mind keeping them (my one cat who is usually very aggressive toward new cats actually likes them, for some reason!), but I really have a full house already, as far as animals go! And keeping them is going to limit my ability to take in and rehome other strays that I find.

I know most people who want to adopt cats want cats they can pick up easily :p but as every cat owner knows, it's that independent streak that makes cats so fun and challenging... and these guys definitely have that!

I will deliver them *anywhere*... seriously. If someone in California wants them, I'll find a way to get them to you. ;) They really deserve a good home, although I'm hoping it's not with me!

Some new kitten cuteness pictures...


This bed is *supposed* to be for the dog...

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0106.jpg


Emmie and one of my cats, too damn cute for words. :D

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0209.jpg

Semi-blurry cell phone pic of kittens "hunting" my feet under the covers, a nightly ritual. ;)

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0108.jpg

YAWN.

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0217.jpg

[Pirateer]

Gosh they are cute! Do they have snowsuits? :)

[dressagetraks]

Awwwwww. Absolutely adorable.

I have enough cats. I have enough cats. I have enough cats. I have enough cats. . .

[Mtn trails]

Too cute for words. If you could ship them to WA state I'd take both. Our house is kitty paradise and seems to be a magnet for anyone who has a cat to abandon :mad: At least they have a good home with us if some a$$hat does dump them here. I love your kitties. Thanks for your good works, wish there were more people out there like you.

[SidesaddleRider]

Are you trying to find them an indoor home, Erin?

[Erin]

I would prefer an indoor home for them, just because they are pretty accustomed to indoor life at this point... but a really good barn home might be OK too.

Pirateer, weren't you down here in the lower 48 for a while? Are you coming back? :D

I discovered that treats are the key to Emmie's heart. :winkgrin: Unfortunately, opening a bag of treats brings the *other* cats running at warp speed also, so it's hard to do much treating.

My mom also came to visit and stayed with me for a few days, and after an initial 12 hours or so of hiding and slinking about cautiously, the kittens were OK with her -- Amber marched right up to her for attention, and even Emmie let herself be petted. Mom doesn't understand why I haven't found a home for them yet, and thinks any "real" animal person would love them. (Of course, Mom has a now-18-year-old former feral kitten who has never really liked being picked up either, so she might not be the best judge!)

Anyway, I'm continuing to work with them and reallyreallyreally hope someone will take them while they're still small and cute! ;) I would always be willing to take them back if it didn't work out for any reason.

[LarissaL]

I am DYING for more cats. Sunny and Penny are living the lives of luxury.. they spent alllllll day Saturday lying around in the backyard while the boys started opening the pool. Lots catching bugs and scaring the poor dumb dove who decided to nest four feet off the ground..

I can't believe these kittens are still here either! And Eli.. is he still available? TOO CUTE. When we buy our own place in July/August, I'm hoping my boyfriend will notice we have too much space and too few cats :) Wish more boyfriends could see things like that too!

[Pirateer]

Pirateer, weren't you down here in the lower 48 for a while? Are you coming back?

I think I shall be the AK COTH Rep for the duration...*sigh* I miss VA!

[Erin]

Drat, and you were so close!

MDEventer, Eli found a fabulous home with a fellow MD-eventer-BBer's mom, and I'm sure he thinks he has just died and gone to heaven there. (Well, except for the rather large cat-loving Doberman who wants to groom him!) Which is awesome, because he is just a total sweetheart and is well suited to sitting in someone's lap all day. He thought living in a crate in my office was about the best damn thing ever... I can't imagine his glee at having a whole house and a bed (complete with warm human!) to sleep on. :)

And you would loooooove the kittens! ;) Because I use you as the example of the kind of person I need to adopt these guys... "See, there was this girl who said it wasn't how cute the cat was, but how much he needed a home, and no, of course she didn't care that the cat I gave her was FIV+ and was missing all the hair on his nose and her boyfriend thought he was ugly!" :winkgrin:

Everytime I see pictures of those two, it just cracks me up. Boy, did they luck out. :D

[mommy peanut]

pm sent

[LarissaL]

I WOULD love these kittens! We just bought a 5 ft tall cat jungle gym and it will be really empty with only two cats to use it :D

I'm sure these two will make a complete turnaround and be lovelovelovelove lovebugs in a house where they are the main focus. Penny and Sunny were friendly when they moved in, but nothing compared to what they are like now, knowing they are the center of attention. They snuggle and talk to us (Sunny even says "Herro!"), even like to sleep under the covers at night!

So happy to hear about Eli's good luck! I'm a little jealous.. he was SUCH a handsome boy (kind of the opposite of my boy :lol:).

I hope these two little kitties come home with someone here! Snatch them up before they grow out of the cute-tiny-kitty phase! Again, I really wouldn't be concerned one bit with the idea that they may be a little standoffish. Those things change so, so quickly in a new home, and seriously, hasn't everyone here loved every cat they met? No such thing as a bad cat!

(I say that now.. but I accidently left a can of cat food on my dresser this morning, and if my cats have thrown it all over my room and it reeks of "flakes of real tuna" they may qualify as bad cats.. :lol:)

[Erin]

Sadly, although mommy peanut was interested, the discovery of allergies in the family have nixed that whole idea. So the "kattens" (a term I stole from MP, meaning they're not quite kittens but not yet cats! :lol: ) are still available!

I am officially decreeing Amber totally tame, because she has taken it upon herself to be my alarm clock lately. She headbutts me in the nose when she thinks it's time for me to get up! She also loves to snuggle up in the crook of my arm when I'm in bed, and just purrs and purrs and purrs. She still does not like to be held in your arms, but I can pick her up and put her on the bed, the kitchen counter, my lap, etc., and she's pretty OK with that. I just keep working with her and she gets better and better with it.

I have also discovered that Emmie is a kleptomaniac. :D She's one of those cats who LOVES to bat around any small, easily-flingable object you leave lying out. Pens, bottle caps, etc. -- they are never where I left them, because she steals them and I eventually find them under the couch! I had left some AA batteries on my kitchen counter, and she obviously had a ball playing with those the other night... I found them scattered all over! But I only found 3 of the 4... well, today, I found the fourth. UPSTAIRS hidden under a bathroom rug. Apparently she carried it up here? I wish I had seen that... cute little kitten trotting around with a battery in her mouth! (Note to self: do not leave small fling-able items that contain caustic/poisonous substances on the kitchen counter.)

MDEventer is right that they will continue to progress and will really shine when they're the center of attention. I do have cats of my own who I try not to make feel like they're second fiddle to the fosters ;) so the rescues don't get ALL the attention.

These guys are really a trip. I try to be as honest as possible because I don't want someone to adopt them and it not work out, which is why I try to mention the negatives also. But they really are great little kittens and I think anyone who is a "cat person" will be able to keep them progressing along to nice little housecats. Amber in particular would like to request a home with a cat-friendly dog, because she is trying her best to become buddies with my Lab, but the Lab is more used to being swatted by cats and is suspicious. ;)

[Louise]

I'll be travelling to Erin's general vicinity some time in the first part of May. If there is anyone in Western NY, or along Route 15 in Pennsylvania, I would be more than willing to transport these two cuties.

If I hadn't just gotten another of my own, bringing me to my absolute limit, I'd take them myself.

[AnotherRound]

Gosh, just had to say, I am not a cat person, but these two little dickens are way over the top on the cuteness meter - if I could have a cat, I would want these two. Congrats on socializing them and I am real glad their health is good.

[Pirateer]

I wonder if two kitties is a good excuse to go to Washington for a weekend? Hmm....

[Erin]

Here's yet another update on the twin tabby terrors. :D

Emmie has suddenly decided that, yeah, she really DOES like people. Not sure what the breakthrough was, but she can pretty much be petted anytime, anywhere, and enjoys it. She still seems to prefer the company of other cats to humans, and I still don't try to pick her up (although after another week or two of frequent petting, I'm going to start ;) ), but she's definitely turned a corner.

Amber is a total snuggle hound. She practically mauls me in bed in the morning, she's so anxious so get as close to me as possible. She kneads (ouch!) and headbutts and purrs like crazy.

I have a tiny fenced backyard and I let them out for some closely supervised playtime with my other cats, which they love... they are MIGHTY bug hunters! Emmie has now also started climbing window screens, now that the windows are open, in search of flying, buzzing prey. :rolleyes: (See below)

They are both still adorable and playful as heck, and get into EVERYTHING! (But, that's to be expected with kittens. :) ) Someone pleeeeeaaaaase take their extreme cuteness off my hands! :winkgrin:

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0306.jpg

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0308.jpg

[Erin]

Ahem! Another bump. These guys still are looking for a home. :)

They are as sweet and social as can be... they're even friendly to new people who come over. Still not sure they like being picked up, but we keep working on it!

http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0124.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0145.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0333.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0337.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0343.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0346.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0350.jpg
http://www.charmcitycats.org/adopt/IMG_0351.jpg

[Lori B]

Erin, you have to warn us to put on our cuteness shielding glasses before we look at your cat pix. I have 4 and can't have any more, or else I'd come get 'em. Oh man. But someone has to want them, they are completely adorable.

[LexInVA]

If my ex didn't just get two cats from her relatives, I'd pick em up and take them to a wonderful home. They just look so cuddly. I wanna hug my monitor. :lol:

[Erin]

Erin, you have to warn us to put on our cuteness shielding glasses before we look at your cat pix.

Hey, I have to look at that cuteness *all the time*. Why do you think I haven't bumped their thread in so long? They're freaking adorable and I love having them around! :D

[dressagetraks]

Holy cuteness! If I didn't live halfway across the country, and if I hadn't just trapped a cat and litter of 5 kittens and was working on taming them, I'd want these two. Love the bookend shots.

[Pirateer]

I'd come get them if someone will find me: Housing for self and 3 kitties in Washington, DC. And a job. :)

[starrysky]

I've never seen two cats so cuddly together! I hope someone can adopt BOTH of these lovely ladies! I already have two cats, and the SO won't allow any more, but someone out there must want these two cutie pies!