We’ve been helping volunteers manage a couple of new rescues, but other than that, focusing on getting kittens into new homes. Mikan and Magic, our lucky little rescues from their dire sticky circumstances, have landed themselves in a good home. Ash and Sassy, from animal control, have also gone to a new home recently. Specter, after a bit of a rough start in Tokyo (got along like cats and, well, dogs), has finally settled into his forever home there. Only Candy remains in that group of 9, since her brother Jack left us for Hokkaido. Last weekend Chobi got her chance for adoption, and Joi went along to see if she wants to join the party. Hina and Hikaru also headed out already, Hikaru for adoption and Hina for foster. Macchi andMocha both went to Tokyo, but to separate adoptive homes, and Gil and Coral switched foster placements–so happy they can stay in home mode while waiting to be chosen. Gilly is the sweetest boy ever, and I just know if a family could meet him they would be won over immediately.

Marylebone and Chelsea have come back to the shelter, to give Gina’s apartment a little breathing space. The girls have really made themselves at home, since we moved them inside the house area with us, Dayan, Dixie, Daisy, and Rosie. They hated the enclosures, and wanted nothing to do with Guinness, Gino, and Tabitha–all in their age bracket, which would generally make settling in easier. They adore Dixie and follow her around like her little proteges. Not the mentor I would have chosen (if there is a human scream heard in our house it is bound to be associated with Dixie and her needle sharp claws), they still make quite a sweet group, and we’ve quickly gotten used to relaxing amidst a pile of kittens. I’ve had to go out of my way to hug and snuggle Rosie, who has been a little extra jealous about the kitten invasion (if there is a cat scream in our house, it is bound to be associated with Rosie’s reign of terror). More pics of our new house guests…

Overwhelmed this summer, facing all that still needs to be sorted out after the hard start we got off to this year. There’s just not enough time in the day to get to all of the changes we really need to complete, in order to create a more stable situation for the animals as well as the humans, not to mention addressing the day-in day-out requests for help. I feel like I’m still in the “put one foot in front of the other” mode to keep myself from all-out panic, and the good news is that it does get me through each day. However, the insecurity drags at me, and I long for surer ground. I do feel very happy seeing the results of kitties going to new happy homes. I’m also glad to be a part of scooping them up from the many dangerous situations that folks find them in.

We helped Louise rescue a group of 5 this week, and learned how fragile the balance can be, when she was unable to catch the 6th or 7th. All of the kittens were only 4 weeks old and suffering from severe URIs, but the final two had enough strength to tuck themselves away into a hole in a wall, out of reach. By the following morning one had died in the middle of the parking lot that she found them in, and  the other had disappeared altogether. It’s just so dangerous for kittens living outdoors, whether it be disease, predators, or accidents. David was really a trooper, in making the late-night 3 hour round trip out to Osaka, directly after returning from a couple of days of re-homing and problem solving in Tokyo (Big thanks also to Cheryl and Brian for accommodation and problem solving skills!). Louise needed a cage and some help dealing with the health situation, after visiting the vet. Though it is sad to have lost the two, the five saved are all now doing well, and Louise is being an excellent kitten care-taker, with a little help from Gina and Kat. We’ll also help to start a TNR project in the area soon. See a new cute vid of these kittens on the JCN Facebook page…