Mary Koegler, Hopatcong's Animal Pound
Keeper, knew she'd be going without sleep
for a while as soon as she saw the litter of
one week-old kittens. The mother cat had
just been killed in a car accident, leaving
the kittens in need of round-the-clock care
and nursing.
Keeper, knew she'd be going without sleep
for a while as soon as she saw the litter of
one week-old kittens. The mother cat had
just been killed in a car accident, leaving
the kittens in need of round-the-clock care
and nursing.
One week old kittens are totally dependent
on their mothers for safety, warmth, cleaning
and nourishment. They have not yet
opened their eyes, and require nursing every
three hours.
Mary gladly took on the role of surrogate mother, opening her heart and her home
to care for the kittens. She takes them with her everywhere and gets up for feedings
every three hours, or whenever they cry. The kittens are nursed with a kitten-size
baby bottle filled with a lukewarm milk formula. The formula supplies as closely
as possible the nutrients and antibodies needed for their undeveloped immune systems.
to care for the kittens. She takes them with her everywhere and gets up for feedings
every three hours, or whenever they cry. The kittens are nursed with a kitten-size
baby bottle filled with a lukewarm milk formula. The formula supplies as closely
as possible the nutrients and antibodies needed for their undeveloped immune systems.
Now the kittens are three and a half weeks old, and as Mary puts it "My only
concern is that they find good homes where they are loved and appreciated."
When asked how well she will adjust to life without the kittens, Mary smiles and
adds "Well, I guess then I have two concerns. That's sure going to take some
getting used to."
