Now for something completely different - my new cat!
This is my first selfie with Bat. The name came from a friend and it just suited him, he kinda looks like a little batcat!
Meet Bat
Bat is a cat, half Siamese (mother) crossed with a Korat 'apple head' and tabby mix father. The locals keep them around, as they keep rats and other rodents away which keeps the restaurant safe. They are well employed and looked after, they get food and shelter for keeping rodents at bay, and sometimes more kittens arrive. some destined to take on the same restaurant security role. However not all the kittens will have this destiny, I'm adopting Bat, and looking for homes for at least 2 of the others.
Bat is getting an upgrade early on in life, his goal is to become a social media starlet, an online star, and has already obtained a full sponsorship package from NewtonClassics. Not bad for 5 weeks old, like some Boss Kitty. His Instagram account will be setup tonight, ID/profile/user name coming in next post!
Keep momma sweet and she'll take care of the rest. Getting her scent all over me before seeing the kittens. Look at those boobies! She's breast feeding. She'll stop for a quick cuddle before going off back to her perimeter duties. prowling around the entire complex to chase away any trespassing animals.
Everyone gets a bath and a kiss from momma after eating.
These kittens need to stay with mum and the litter as long as possible, upto 12 weeks is said to be ideal. They are still getting mothers milk and at 5 weeks still seem far too small to be taken home alone. I chose from a litter of 5, the white/grey kitten seen here. There are 3 more left as one was sadly lost (not unusual for a litter to have a 'runt', which often dies soon after birth, as was the case). 3 are still looking for new homes, unless I change my mind and have to take 2 of them!
Momma is on the watch for tomcats and they have to be kept away whilst the kittens are still small. She finds the ideal hiding holes for them, and will move them whenever she finds a better one.
Momma cat and Bat
How it happened
The owner has a street side restaurant, and the family are always around these shops where I've been eating quite often. Having got to know the mother cat, a Siamese, it was a surprise to learn she would be having kittens. The birth of them happened to fall on the 26th Feb, being exactly 2 years to the day my father passed away; I decided I would adopt one also in memory. Our family and my parents had cats all my life, and cats are cool. Just never taken the plunge out here in Southeast Asia, it's my first ever pet in Thailand apart from some fish. This time however, there was nothing to resist. It had to be done, and now Bat can follow in a line of succession of my family cats.
Here's a few of the first clips I've made. I'm off to go feed them and make more now.
From the very start when her babies are born, the mother will be defensive, guarding and protective. A good thing here is the mother cat always comes to see me at the restaurant when I eat. She is well accustomed to my smell - she knows, I'm some friendly human that brings food. It's important to not handle kittens especially as a stranger, until they are at least a few weeks old. Then I always stroke the mother and get her scent all over my hands first, before touching the kittens. That's the least stress for all involved. The mother doesn't like it if her kittens smell wrong there is risk of rejection.
With them now ready for human handling, if not to leave the mother I can begin visits daily with food, water, and play until they're ready to leave home. At about 6-8 weeks I aim to bring Bat home about 2 weeks to go. When he does come with me, I will still bring him to visit his mum brothers and sisters.
Cats can be trained to harnesses and for going out with you, even walks. Siamese cats, especially males are one of the most adept breeds to do this with. Training will be started straight away and he's been born in an open environment, so he hopefully won't be afraid of the big wide world later. Looking forwards to making lots of content with the little guy!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you think Bat is as cute as I do. More of his progress to come, as he grows into a full blown young kitten over the coming months.