A delighted kitten, rescued from the streets, now revels in the warmth of a large caring family.
Discovered outdoors as an orphan alongside a sibling who, unfortunately, didn’t survive, the palm-sized tabby found itself in a dire situation with no sign of its mother. It was in desperate need of a rescue.
The Humane Society of Otter Tail County in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, welcomed her when she was just a few days old. Jenny, a dedicated foster volunteer for the shelter, shared with Love Meow that the kitten’s origin story remains unknown, with no information about what happened to her mother or any potential littermates. Initially, the shelter director provided bottle-feeding care for the kitten for a few days until Jenny took on the foster responsibilities when the tabby was approximately 10 days old.
Jenny bestowed the name Fergie upon her, inspired by the place of her discovery. Weighing in at six ounces, the kitten exhibited a healthy appetite and a resilient will to thrive.
“I’ve cared for hundreds of newborn and neonatal kittens over the years, many of whom arrived in critical condition. So, it was a relief to see that Fergie appeared strong and healthy,” Jenny shared with Love Meow.
Despite grappling with stomach issues, Fergie persevered, consuming her meals with gusto and handling her medications with admirable resilience.
“While her weight gain began to taper off, I kept a daily close watch for signs of dehydration. However, Fergie, being a resilient kitten, powered through with the assistance of antibiotics,” remarked Jenny.
Within a short span of a few weeks, Fergie has shown remarkable progress, becoming more active and inquisitive. Jenny remains dedicated to offering top-notch care, ensuring that the kitten reaches the 8-week milestone thriving.
“I continue to keep a watchful eye until my foster kittens reach around eight weeks old. However, all indications suggest that Fergie is on track to grow into a healthy and contented kitten,” shared Jenny with Love Meow.
“Despite boasting the heartiest appetite I’ve seen in any recent foster kitten, Fergie remains small enough to fit in my hand. She’s incredibly vocal, and whenever she’s awake, her mewing for attention is constant.”
Fergie is making impressive strides, venturing into exploration of her surroundings. The bold tabby has fearlessly formed friendships with several resident cats and dogs, showing no hesitation when it’s playtime.
“My cats are beginning to take an interest in her and form friendships. Gray, the cat, enjoys playing ‘find the kitty’ and playfully bops her when she’s nestled under a blanket.”
Fergie, with her strong-willed, independent, and lively demeanor, is as sweet as can be. “After she finishes her bottle, she delights in being cradled against your chest while receiving gentle pats like a baby,” Jenny shared with Love Meow.
“I can already sense that she’s going to rule the roost once she finds her forever home. And truth be told, she’s got me completely captivated with her tiny, adorable paw!”
Fergie admires Freddie, the resident cat, who reciprocates with sweetness to his diminutive doppelgänger and graciously shares his throne with her.
At the age of five weeks, Fergie remains petite but boasts a mighty personality. “She’s just a tiny nugget that comfortably fits in my hands. While she hasn’t quite reached the one-pound mark yet, we’re diligently working towards it.”
Although Fergie might take a bit longer to part ways with her bottle, that’s perfectly fine. “Weaning is a highly individualized process for each kitten; they all adapt to it in their own way. Fergie believes that any time we’re holding her, it should also involve feeding,” explained Jenny.
“I consider her a precious gem of a kitten, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to foster her and shower her with love until she’s prepared for adoption,” Jenny shared with Love Meow.
