Major Catch-Up - Meowtfits, Moving & More!
Hello Kitten Academicians!
We're behind on the updates, so here's our current plan: we're going to make this one big post that goes over the big updates to help us get caught up quickly. Following this post, we'll introduce you to our newest momcat and her 5 beautiful babies which will have us back to current happenings! After that, we'll be posting as regularly as things happen around the Academy. We thank you very much for your patience and understanding. In appreciation of this, we'll be sprinkling in some photos from the last several months.
Picking up with the Meowtfits
Last we left off, the Meowtfits were pretty new to the Academy. Over the first couple months we got everyone back in good health only to discover that some of the kittens had ringworm. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with worms, which would have been much easier to treat. Ringworm is a common and contagious fungal infection that spreads very easily. After some reading about strong yet cat-safe cleaners, disinfectants and the like, we bought supplies and started routinely disinfecting all the different rooms from top to bottom. There were several points where we thought we’d conquered the ringworm but a short while later we’d find another bald spot on a kitten that indicated the war wasn’t over quite yet. Obviously, with something so contagious, bringing in a new momcat or kittens was simply a bad idea. Even spays and neuters were postponed due to the risk of the active ringworm on their skin spreading internally. This whole situation is what caused the Meowtfits to stay enrolled at the Academy much longer than the average class. Eventually, the several-month-long ringworm battle came to an end and we were victorious! Their spays and neuters were finally able to take place and they were ready for adoption.
Six of the ten Meowtfits were adopted before our move. That meant that Cloak, Romper, Cardigan and Jumper were still present at the Academy. Because the Academy was moving states and it was really unclear about how the laws were laid out, permits or certificates required, etc. all four of the remaining Mewotfits were returned to DAWS for adoption/fostering. After the move and receiving the necessary paperwork, Mr. A drove the 3-4 hours back to Connecticut and wound up bringing Cardigan and Jumper home to the new Academy. Cloak, who hated the car, and Romper, who demonstrated a pretty strong attachment to Cloak, remained at DAWS. Our hope was that they’d be placed with another foster who had time to dedicate to them. More specifically to Cloak who had always been extremely shy and needed help learning to trust.
Slight side note here - We’d like to let you know that DAWS is in need of more fosters! If you are in or around the Bethel, Connecticut area and love kittens as much as we do, please consider becoming a foster. If you think little kittens might be too much work for your circumstances, you could foster older kittens or maybe even adult cats, too. Feel free to reach out to DAWS and let them know you’re interested. We’re sure they’d love to hear from you and they’d be able to give you all the information you need.
Back to the Meowtfits - Jumping forward to today, we're very happy to announce that nine of the ten Meowtfits have found their forever homes! Below is a list of adoptions in the order they took place.
Cape & Parka - June 29th
Tutu - June 29th
Smock - June 29th
Blazer - July 4th
Poncho (& Noodle) - July 5th
Cardigan - August 8th
Cloak & Romper - August 25th
Sweet, sweet Jumper is still looking for her forever home!
Jumper is an absolute sweetheart who is slightly timid but loves to snuggle. She prefers people to other cats but could certainly learn to get along with another pet if they are respectful of her space and the introduction is done with care. Her ideal living situation would be in a calm home with humans to snuggle, blankets to nap on and a space at your desk to keep an eye on the progress of your work. Currently, Jumper is located at the new Academy (more on this later!) in Pennsylvania. That said, given the unique nature of this situation, Mr. A would be willing to drive her back to DAWS in Connecticut (where all of her endowments are also located) if the approved adopter would prefer to meet there for pickup.
Autumn is around the corner, do you need a Jumper? Click HERE to submit an application!
The enrollment & graduation of Noodle
Back in February, Noodle came to us on a transport as a potential momcat from Georgia. Right away we were skeptical about her being pregnant and, as it turns out, we were right. Despite her pregnot status, she enjoyed a few months of enrollment at the Academy getting routine vet care, advanced floof maintenance classes and later getting adopted with Poncho in early July.
A brand new campus for the Academy
The Academy has moved! DJ graduated from her specialization fellowship earlier this year and got a wonderful job at a great health network in Pennsylvania. Once the job was secured, the campus search was on. Months of researching, must-have considerations, viewings and seller negotiations later, the new campus was secured. Over time we’ll be making some changes to better suit the Academy but as it stands now, it’s a lovely hillside property with a lot of built-in character, fun history and oh so many windows.
During the second week of July, the Connecticut campus was packed up and moved to Pennsylvania along with Mr. A, DJ & the Faculty. For those of you who have been following us for awhile, you may remember our move from Illinois to Connecticut. As the faculty adjusted, dynamics shifted. Well, it's happened again. Custard and Loganberry, who have previously required constant separation, are now getting along again and we even have pictures to prove it!
Given the change of location, Mr. A started looking for a new, local shelter to work with. Sadly, none of the shelters that were contacted meshed well with how the Academy is accustomed to running. As we touched upon earlier, we learned that work could continue with DAWS so long as we provided our approved Pennsylvania foster certificate. What's even cooler? The transport that they use, the same one we've gotten several momcats and kittens from in the past, comes right through our new area!
Well, the shelter was sorted but what about a vet, you may ask. When it comes to routine vet visits, we'll be trying different places in the area until we find what feels right for us. Though we're hoping we don't need one anytime soon, we were lucky enough to get a direct recommendation from Teaspoon's surgeon for an emergency vet in our area. Again, not something we hope to need anytime in the near future but it's definitely an important marker on our map should the need arise.
Following that last point, we have a sad update to share that admittedly is long overdue but we simply couldn't bring ourselves to compose it any sooner. Click the button below if and when you are ready.
All moves come with a bit of an adjustment period and this move has been no different. We’re still getting settled, unpacking, setting up what will hopefully be a smoother stream for youtube and really just getting the Academy back to what you all know it to be.
Once again, we appreciate your patience and we’re excited to bring you all along for this new chapter of Kitten Academy - Pennsylvania. The first class has already enrolled and they’re doing great. Head over here to read all about them!