11 Chances to Live --- #OurStory #TheirStory

Hi. My name is April Roane. My husband and I relocated to East Texas in 2020 from Florida. We packed up our three cats (who are vaccinated and spayed), our belongings, and headed west. We are not foster parents or an animal rescue, and we are not financially prepared to function as one.

However, God has plans. And jokes. After unpacking and exploring, we discovered that our home came with a family of four barn kitties. We do not have a barn and we already have three inside cats to care for.

Chloe Binx, Mr. Boots, Dom DeLuise, and Hocus Pocus lovingly warmed their way into our hearts.

We named them. There were no others who took care of their wellbeing. Dom DeLuise (Rowdy’s daddy) lived under the abandoned home across the street. The other three started sleeping on or around our porch. They attempted to come inside as if they were able to come inside before. It is possible that the previous tenants left them behind.

It was Winter and it was cold. We fed and provided food and outside comforts for the little family, including a heater and self-heating beds. As Winter turned into Spring, six-teen paws turned into forty.

Then there were kittens. Lots of kittens. Hocus Pocus was a girl not a boy and we had a total of eight babies- TWO liters, same mom. Rowdy was born April 7, 2021, and the “Mercury Retrograde Seven” where born June 22, 2021. Do the math. Upon a small half-hour break outside, Mama’ decided to take a three-day vacation and returned pregnant.

We took them in to temporarily foster while we contacted Rescues for help. We donated $125 to a local Rescue who, after sending the donation stated they could not assist us. Contacting Rescues in East Texas, most replied by stating they are maxed to capacity.

Our options were to leave Mama’ (Hocus Pocus- surprise!) and her babies outside or to bring them in. Being an outside cat/ kitten comes with threats. Coyotes, truck-lined country roads, inclement weather, and bigger predators- including other humans who use kittens as bait for dog fighting- are a reality for outside animals. We have not seen Chloe Binx and Dom DeLuise in two months.

We chose to bring Mama’ and her babies inside.

We have been able to provide food, some medical care (respiratory infection and digestive issues), and a home for them. This brings our inside total of Felines to ten, leaving Mr. Boots outside. We have been able to spay Mama’ and one of her girls, Rowdy We have gotten Rowdy all her shots and Mama has received her rabies vaccine. We have found homes for two of her other boys (Orion and Galaxy went together, Amen), leaving six babies with us.

We have an appointment to have the next two girls spayed at the end of this month with the Animal Protection League which is a low-cost clinic.

We are asking for assistance with funding for:

Until we can find a suitable and loving home for the babies, we are keeping this family together. That alone is a miracle that most cats will never get to experience.

It is the little things that make a difference. We thank you for considering making a difference, not only for our country kittens, but also for Braxton and me. It is a lot, especially when you are not able to financially provide for the animals that need a difference in their lives. It takes a village, and your help is appreciated now.

We know that we can neglect them. It is not our job. They were here before we were. But, why? Why not change the lives of a family of eight lucky little cats? They do not truly know that life can be different until someone makes a difference for them.