For five months, we fed and took care of Cheeky and Frankie, the two female orphaned kittens we found last summer, trying to fend for themselves on the side of a jogging path. On November 1st, we could finally rescue them just in time to have them spayed before they’d go into heat and get pregnant.
Great sacrifices were made so that Cheeky and Frankie could survive being out there on their own, but it was no longer enough; we had to do something to avoid the suffering of countless unwanted kittens that were soon to be born.
At first, our plan was to TNR, have them spayed and released back to the place where we raised them. Considering our extremely challenging housing and financial situation, as we continue fighting eviction and without the necessary means to rent a new place, TNR was the only possible solution we could think of.
However, after their spay surgery and during the 10-day post-op recovery process they spent at the sanctuary, they started acting nothing like feral kittens but more like loving house cats, wanting our attention (especially Cheeky), enjoying their comfy beds and warm blankets, loving their toys, kneading, and purring away. Seeing them so happy after such a rough start in life and all they’ve been through since they were just babies, made us emotional.
More info:projectchangeonelife.org
Cheeky and Frankie (6 mon) enjoying the safety and warmth of a home!
But what other option did we have? How could we offer them a safe “forever” home knowing we are at risk of eviction?
Adopting them out was not an option either. We live in a place that is a highly touristic destination where there is just one small animal shelter that is overflooded with abandoned animals and a few private rescue groups with hundreds of unwanted kittens waiting for adopters. Not to mention how traumatic adopting them out would have been for them and for us as well, after all these months caring for them since they were tiny kittens.
Cheeky having fun with their new scratching pole
I can assure you that one of the hardest aspects of rescuing animals is having to ‘decide’ who gets to be saved and who doesn’t.
The feeling that these innocent lives are in our hands and their future depends on the decisions we make, is a heavy burden and responsibility on our shoulders, especially in our current economically precarious situation.
Last month, what happened to our feral kitten Blacky left us broken-hearted; we made the wrong decision, and he lost his life within 48 hours. Jackie and I went through hell after such a tragic loss and just as our hearts were somehow starting to heal, we find ourselves having to make another life-or-death decision again, about the fate of these two little girls.
Frankie loves interactive toys!
So once again, we had to face the same old dilemma:
Saving the lives of those who cross our path in great need of help or just saving ourselves and the ones we care for at the sanctuary? Considering the dramatic situation we are in, there are no easy answers.
Cheeky chillin’
At this point, we have no idea what could happen to all our rescues if we lose our home; we don’t know if we’ll be able to protect them all until the end, but we are acting according to our conscience and that leaves us with no other option than to keep them off the streets and give them a second chance at life, whatever may come.
So, welcome to the Change One Life family, Cheeky and Frankie!
Frankie napping in her cave
We hope this rescue and unexpected ‘foster-failure’ comes to all our followers as good news and inspiration, and if you are not one of our supporters yet, we invite you to join us and make a difference!
In a world that keeps moving further away from compassion, that ignores the helpless, and the voiceless, if people of goodwill stick together and pitch in, miracles can be achieved.
For further updates on Cheeky and Frankie, and the rest of our cat sanctuary residents, please follow us on
Cheeky loving all her new toys
Cheeky and Frankie having fun together
Cheeky and Frankie, after spay surgery, adapting to their new life!
Last picture we took of Cheeky and Frankie, right before their rescue…
Cheeky before and after pic! We started feeding Cheeky and Frankie when they were tiny kittens…
The transformation of Cheeky and Frankie from feral to loving house cats is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of animals.
This journey is reminiscent of another heartwarming story where amotherly bond saved an orphaned kitten. Such acts of love and care reveal the transformative power of compassion in both human and animal relationships.
2Kviews2Kviews
You May Like“He Just Appeared”: 30 Pet Owners Prove That The Cat Distribution System Is Working PerfectlyViktorija Ošikaitė77 Cute White Cats That Are Basically Joy ItselfEligijus Sinkunas86 Cute White Cats Who Hide Their Real Intentions Behind Their Beautiful LooksEligijus Sinkunas
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Eligijus Sinkunas
Cats
