11/06/2026
Let us try again for this story... we typed a whole post & the phone glitched as we clicked post & lost it all 😖
6 weeks back Lara contacted us regarding a stray feral kitten at her workplace that had appeared from the bushes by the car park. As soon as she approached he would run off. Unfortunately, we were full to capacity at that point, so were not in a position to assist. So, Lara started feeding him & it didn't take him long to learn what her car engine sounded like & just after she parked, he would appear on the other side of the fence & waited for his food. He would wait until she had moved a fair distance away before coming to eat & ducked off if any sudden movements.
3 weeks on he came through the fence & ate his food whilst she was still quite close & then within a few days would eat right next to her & allowed her to touch him whilst eating. 2 days later hubby came along & not only did her come to eat, but demanded to be stroked & climbed in his lap etc. It was at this point that we realised that he definitely wasn't a feral kitten (he would not tame that fast if feral).
So Saturday almost 2 weeks ago we met Lara & hubby on site & true to form as soon as he heard the car, he appeared. Even though strangers were around, he was not perturbed & he just happily walked into a carrier to eat the food inside... the easiest "uplifting" of a kitten.
So, Butternut (as Lara had named him & we've kept it) is safely & happily with us. Lara had noticed earlier that week that he had patches of fur missing on his rump by his tail. Upon closer inspection, we found some puncture wounds (most likely from the large male that hangs around as well). His tail hung down as he had an abscess (& localised inflammation) but is well on the mend & his tail is now almost fully back to its perky upright self. He has been treated with Nexgard Combo as he had a large tick on his neck & we found 2 tiny ones on his face & 1 on his ear, so that would not only have killed all the ticks, but dewormed him as well (as we routinely do with our kitties from arrival).
In the last few days he's learnt what toys are & happily chases his bell-ball around as well as tossing his toy mouse all over the place. He also loves cuddles (aka snuggle-huggles) & just purrs up a storm. He loves to snuggle & he's one of those that if he could get into your skin, he would (making up for lost time)!
Butternut has completed his "quarantine" period & is off to the vet tomorrow for his vaccinations & will soon be on the hunt for his happily-ever-after we promised him that he'd have (vs fending for himself in the bushes). If you are interested in meeting / pre-booking this gorgeous rusty ginger & white (very unique) boy, WhatsApp message Suzanne on 082 478 5860
