So I picked up some kittens...

I received an urgent plea. There were two litters of two to three week old bottle babies at the shelter. If they didn't find rescue by the end of the day they would be euthanized. The semester had just ended and I figured, I have time for one litter. I hopped into the car and headed to Maryland to save some babies. When I arrived there were seven tiny kittens in the cage. They were very skinny and their ears were just starting to open up. It was the end of the day and no one had stepped up. Lost Dog and Cat Rescue was their last hope so I loaded my carrier with all seven bottle babies. I didn't need sleep as much as they needed to live.

I came home to a house already full of animals and a very understanding boyfriend who forgave me for my snap decision. I set the big bathroom up for the kittens - a nest with blankets and stuffed animals for snuggling, a heater to keep them warm, a weighing station, and feeding station stocked with syringes, formula, and tons of hand sanitizer, baby wipes and towels.

Almost immediately it was time for their first feeding. It took me an hour to feed each little one their formula and wipe their bottoms (they can't potty on their own yet). Three hours later it was time to feed them again. They were all crying at me and I thought "What have I done..." I've never had kittens this tiny without a momma cat to help me and bottle babies are tough. They don't have the same advantages as kittens with nursing moms - they can easily become dehydrated, cold, and sick. It's a dangerous world out there and I was going to help them navigate it.

After food time they settled in and I went to take a short nap before we had another dinner date. I am worried about some of the smaller kittens, but I will do my best for this littles.