From Feral to Family

Helen Oliver shares the true story of three feral cats who found their loving, furever homes.

By Helen Oliver Contributing Writer

Dictionary definition of “feral”– not domesticated or cultivated: WILD.

A feral cat was dumpster diving in the Placencia Residences on the northern end of the Peninsula. Katie Chrysler took pity on it and began feeding it. This was a very pregnant female. One day Katie noticed the cat had lost her swollen belly, so she began a search for the kittens, asking around the community. Katie eventually got a call from the folks at the Gecko House vacation rental. She learned that the mama cat and her two kittens were nestled under a bush there.

Prepared to rescue them, Katie went with crates and boxes in hand, but they had disappeared! The mama had carried each of them up three flights of stairs to a safe deck above.

Katie and her neighbor JoAnn Burley rescued the kittens and along with their mama. JoAnn cared for the mama and kitties until they were eight weeks old.

Katie brought the mama cat into the PHS clinic for spay and shots and that's how a loving permanent home for the mama was found. My husband, Nervy, and I adopted the kittens – two females. Their names are Mesha and Meiko.

They were still wild when we brought them home and our dog, Theodore, also a rescue, and nine years old now, was not impressed. He had never seen a cat before! When I could catch them, I realized that they loved being cuddled. They are happy indoor and outdoor cats. They even brought us a mouse ... in to the house!

They enjoy watching me shower too! We are so happy we brought these two lovable kittens into our home.” ▪

Helen Oliver cradles two formerly feral cats, Mesha and Meiko, at her house and their new home.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! THIS MONTH'S PHS VET CLINIC: June 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doctor Orlando Baptist attends to all your pet's needs in the pretty in purple PHS building on the Lagoon, opposite Los Porticos. Call 604-8676 to schedule spays/neuters/all surgeries. BZ and U.S. dollars and checks gratefully accepted for payment of your pet's vet bill.

Stay current with everything PHS! Like us on facebook.com/PlacenciaHumaneSociety or visit our website at www.placenciahumanesociety.org, where you can communicate with us and financially support your favorite animal welfare group via PayPal.