Winter Rescue!

Mama Beam and six kittens now safe and warm.

Just last weekend, our incredible trappers, Ken and Lisa, were alerted to a young lactating cat who had been rescued as a stray by a Good Samaritan and brought to a local rescue. At first, it was believed she might be pregnant – but it quickly became clear she was producing milk. She wasn’t expecting … she was nursing.

But where were her kittens?

Determined to find out, the finder placed an air tag on mama cat – and it led straight to her hidden nursery, two blocks from where she was originally found! The six tiny babies were discovered tucked high up in the rafters of a neighbour’s shed.

That’s when Ken and Lisa sprang into action on Sunday night.

The rescue was no small feat. Facing freezing temperatures, frozen rain and wind, Ken climbed onto the top of the shed to locate the kittens and carefully hoisted a trap up between the rafter beams, maneuvering around insulation and tight spaces. Mama had chosen a cozy, well-protected spot to raise her babies.

Day One: Four kittens were safely and humanely trapped. As the night grew late and cold, the team called it a night, planning to return at first light.

Day Two: Another kitten was caught – leaving only Mama and one final little one. After warming up with coffee, Ken and Lisa resumed their efforts and successfully completed the rescue with the safe capture of both Mama and her last baby.

The family is now safe.

The kittens – understandably a little scared – are in good health, as is their devoted mama. They are not feral and will have health check appointments at RAPS Animal Hospital. With some socialization from our staff and volunteers, we expect these little ones (and their mama!) to be ready for adoption in just a few weeks.

Mama has been named Beam, and her babies are: Rafter, Slate, Concrete, Cement, Tar, and Shingle. We’ll update as soon as we’re ready to start accepting adoption applications!