Grandkittens!!

[k9Karen]

What a pretty bunch of babies! Sorry to hear the situation is so stressful for everyone - hopefully once the babies aren't so helpless Lyra will calm down.

[Tina B and crew]

Oh, they understand the stress she is under perfectly and are not upset with Lyra at all. They aren't keeping her confined at all times, as I said previously she comes out, but only when she can be closely supervised. Even then she has been seen chasing the other cats from their food and litter. But if they aren't home, she stays confined (in a good sized bedroom with a perch for her to look out the window, scratching post, chair for her to lounge in, and a bed) both for her safety, the safety of the kittens, and the safety of the resident cats. Honestly, the other cats have always given her a wide berth. In fact yesterday when I was there I saw her come out of the bedroom where the kittens are, walk toward the living room and attack one of their cats who was in the litterbox (placed in a corner of the den that is in between the living room/kitchen and the bedrooms) doing his business. He hadn't even been near her or her space...he had been in the living room with us the whole time. He did nothing to provoke her. He is such a docile cat and he is one of the ones that was bit by her. The other cat that was bit was the alpha cat...the one that NOBODY messes with because they know he is boss. The house is not a small house but she has pretty much set the tone so that the other cats (and I might add, there are 4 cats already) stay in the living room and kitchen...even with litter boxes placed about in various spots, she's dictating where they can move about. This is going to only end up with inappropriate bathroom issues I'm afraid.

They know that there is the possibility that things could calm down once the kittens are weaned, but I'll be honest Traci, it has always been our experience that once the dynamic of a settled household has been upset, it's tough to get it back to where it was. When we adopted Willow we were never able to get Frodo or Gizmo to accept her and she suffered as a result. I agree with them that it isn't fair to their resident cats to no longer feel safe going into places where they normally use to hang out because she is intimidating them. The took her in out of the goodness of their hearts, love her very much and will keep her warm, well fed, safe, and healthy until the kittens are old enough to adopt. I see nothing wrong with them wanting to find a home where she will fit in better.

I can understand their apprehension that more fights will break out and more cats will end up injured. I'm just glad they have noticed the bites because they were both on the tails and neither caused limps or obvious symptoms that would make you think "hmmm...something is wrong." They noticed Sammie's when they seen his tail was drooping and he seemed sensitive to the touch in the hind quarters. We discovered Tigger's yesterday when we noticed he was growling if anyone petted him past his head. Laura discovered a wet area on his tail, wiped it and noticed the odor. Sure enough it was starting to abscess. Thankfully the vet's office was open and they were able to take him in for treatment (and thankfully the vet didn't charge). But I can understand then not wanting to risk anymore fights like this.

Rest assured, Lyra will be taken care of.

[Traci]

Maybe it's the male thing, you know females are over protective of their kittens around males, whether the males are neutered or not.

I understand, Tina, thanks for elaborating further. I'm just glad to hear that they have a vet so willing to aide in finding homes etc. She is so beautiful and I bet she's just a love when she's not under so much pressure.

[momPaws]

I don't know much but could the fact that this cat was a stray outside come into it...maybe she had to be aggressive to be safe in her outside environment coupled with her maternal instincts.

[Tina B and crew]

I also wondered about that Traci...because we have noticed that she has only attacked males. There is one male she hasn't got yet...so they are keeping an eye on him. I will also do what I can to find homes, if they aren't successful where they are...none of us will stand to see any harm come to her or see her back on the streets. She's too precious...they are all too precious and you know we'd take them all in if it were possible.

mompaws...I think a lot of it is maternal to be honest. She seemed very docile when they first brought her into the house. She hasn't growled or hissed much, just attacked from out of nowhere. I'm sure a home can be found for her...she's a gorgeous and sweet cat.

[momPaws]

Tina, that's good then cause she will calm down after the kittens are weaned...she is such a beauty...hopefully they can find a good indoor home for her.

My sweet Angel was not fixed until right before I adopted her..I sometimes wonder how many litters she might have had. Well, now she is safe and happy and only has to worry about ---nothing!