As the vice president of Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare (CLAW), Paul Nadler’s phone is often buzzing with reports of animal emergencies. A few weeks ago, Nadler received a text from a local homeowner with two photos — there appeared to be a family
of tiny fuzz balls living inside a wood pile in her yard.
Nadler wasn’t far away, so he headed straight over.
The homeowner told the rescuer that she’d seen the 4-week-old kittens for several days and had been feeding them. She knew there was an older cat who lived nearby, potentially their mother, but she hadn’t seen her recently. Without a mama looking out for them, the kittens were extremely vulnerable, and they wouldn’t make it much longer on their own.
One of the four kittens, the smallest of the litter, stumbled from the woodpile to the house, as if looking for help. Nadler and the homeowner easily contained him. Then Nadler made a plan to trap the other three, who were much more nervous, hiding among the logs.
Nadler set out some food and managed to entice one kitten, whom he quickly grabbed and settled into a carrier.
To catch the last two, Nadler set up a kitten-sized trap and left it there overnight. The next day, the homeowner texted Nadler — both kittens were safe inside the trap.
“We were both very happy!” Nadler told The Dodo.
Rescuers did what they could to get the kittens back to full health. They provided veterinary care and constant attention. Sadly, one kitten wasn’t strong enough and eventually passed away.
The other three kittens remain in a veterinary foster home, where experts are making sure they have everything needed to grow into happy cats. Once they’re old enough, the kittens will be available for adoption and begin looking for their permanent families.
Out of the woodpile and into a warm foster home, these kittens can look forward to bright futures ahead.
