Three kittens were delivered to the Orange County Animal Shelter around the end of last month. The trinity hid in a corner out of terror since it was extremely frightened of humans.
Animal rights advocates from Baby Kitten Rescue (BKR), a Los Angeles-based organization that specializes in saving kittens in danger and in serious health, volunteered their assistance. The kittens hissed and spat, were very afraid, and were antisocial. It was obvious that they had never interacted with someone before, or that their interactions had been negative, says BKR volunteer educator Jamie.
I was aware that tiny children who are afraid and want to be protected, taken care of, and loved are hiding underneath all this seeming rigidity.
All kittens were named after spicy foods: Wasabi seal point, Ginger tortoiseshell and Pepper black and white. They were about six weeks old. From the very beginning, they kept a close-knit group and found support in each other.
The only boy, Wasabi, with his tiny stature, was the most cocky. Wasabi was the sharpest of all. He seemed to take it upon himself to protect the group. In addition, he is the king of peripheral vision, ”says Jamie.
When socialization began, Wasabi and his sisters received daily hugs and plenty of treats as a reward. “I wrapped Wasabi in a roll, rinsed his eyes, put in drops and gave baby food with chicken as a reward.”
In a matter of days, Wasabi made tremendous progress – he no longer tried to bite the hand that feeds him. “Still the spiciest of the spicy trio, he fell asleep almost immediately when I swaddled him in a baby blanket.”
The kittens’ confidence in humans grew gradually but certainly. They started acting more composedly, and the terror in their eyes vanished.
“After being socialized for two weeks, they started purring when I touched them. There was a lot of time and patience before this moment. Jamie explains, “I believe they felt secure because I held them in my arms and gave them treats.
It took great patience and countless hours to bring the kittens from hissing for their lives to their current acceptance of hugs and kisses, to building up the courage to beg for touch and attention on their own.
“There is no comparison with what they were.”
Wasabi, who was the trio’s most arrogant member, has undergone significant adjustment. Jamie recalls, “There was a time when I didn’t think Wasabi would ever stop hissing at me and being terrified of me.”
He now sits contentedly on the nanny’s legs and purrs loudly.
“I’m proud of this dude. He overcame a great fear and became not only sociable, but also very loving. He purrs and clearly enjoys the human caress.
“For the socialization of kittens, there is nothing better than food and games. They need consistent, positive interactions with people over time to build trust and stop being afraid.”
Three kittens have made significant progress and are now prepared for the next phase.
Ginger and Wasabi, who have become quite close, will travel to their joint abode tomorrow. A loving family is already waiting for their little sister Perchik, who was also selected and will live out the remainder of her days with them.
“From hissing, spitting, fighting and hiding to purring, playing and even climbing on me,” Jamie shares.
“I discovered that the kittens that are the most conflicted are also the most terrified, and they truly made a 180-degree shift. In Wasabi, I observe it.
So sad the kittens were separated and given to different homes