Fostering kittens and hand rearing them is highly rewarding: there is nothing more special than seeing a kitten being rehomed to a loving and caring family.
It becomes impossible not to get attached to these defenceless kittens – after twelve long weeks getting up every two hours every night to bottle-feed them, sitting on the floor encouraging them to eat on their own, bathing them, and finally littering training them. Not to mention the litters that are sickly and need round the clock attention.
When the time comes to find my ‘youngsters’ a new home it can be heart wrenching, but when the right family comes along I know that it has been all worth it! What makes it even more rewarding is that, being a receptionist at Cedarmount, I see them grow into beautiful cats and can monitor their progress along the way.
I can honestly say that I have spent endless nights worrying about kittens after they leave my house, but being able to give abandoned kittens a chance makes it all worthwhile!
In 2002, Ruby was honoured to win the Petplan National Vet receptionist of the Year. We treasure these memories – extra special moment in a special woman’s life. Click here to watch a UTV interview where Ruby (as usual) deflects attention onto the cats and kittens she does so much for.
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Sophie – Very affectionate cat who was found with her litter mates on a farm in Kilkeel. Unfortunately the rest did not make it and she herself has a cardiomyopathy that is controlled by medication.
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My son and I got a rescue kitten from Ruby. He came home before Christmas, and Bailey is now a treasured family member - Sandra & Nathan Boyle.
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Burda – Found in a hedge in Millisle at just a couple of days old. At 10 ½ years old she is one of the oldest.
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Disney and Molly at Martha and Laurens house.
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Miller –Top Cat and definitely the boss around the house.
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Morgan: Grandma Ruby rescued me and the nice vet Norma revived me after I suffered a massive asthma attack. Thank you to them both!
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I am Wee Face. I am nearly 22 years old. I let Kitty share my bed, although sometimes he bites my ears!
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Ruby reared me from two weeks of age. I love my new home, and my new brother, Wee Face, who is nearly 22! Kitty.
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Jack is irrepressible. Cocky, playful and inquisitive, nothing seems to phase him. He loves to get into the sink and get under some running water! Very affectionate!
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Ritchie – left outside the Cat’s Protection League with 47 other cats in a van in awful conditions. I took him and four others who have since been re-homed. He is a diabetic and has cardiomyopathy that is well under control.
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Tag – so called because he sticks to you like glue. Abandoned at a roadside in Newcastle, with litter mates, who are now all homed. Just could not part with him.
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Sophie (Tikvah's friend). They’re both now nearly 10 and in excellent health thanks to such a good start.
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Velvet and Scarf at a younger age.
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Melba – Came at the right moment, as she had had kittens and was still producing milk. She helped Ruby rear a litter of 5 kittens by feeding them like her own. She came home and never left.
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Tikvah who I handreared used to have to stay with Ruby when he was very young.
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Fuji – Was not happy with his original owner who, knowing that I already had a Siamese, asked if I would take him on. Settling in nicely.
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Fanta – had to be trapped, along with her litter mates, as they were living in dreadful conditions. Extremely nervous and again being fostered for Assisi.
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Cola – litter mate of Fanta. Very nervous with people but is always about when my daughter Sarah calls as she feeds him ham.
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Herbie – Simply arrived one day at the house. He just never left and is now part of the family. Very loveable.
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Sam – Craig`s brother found this guy at the Waterfront Hall, being kicked around like a football. Very nervous cat and does not like much human contact.
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Molly is a wee softie. Affectionate and loving until she catches sight of a vet with a syringe! Shoulder length gloves and the crash cage!
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Velvet – Found very nervous and with bad diarrhoea, along with her sister, at Donaghadee Common. Are being fostered for Assisi and are settling well
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Scarf – litter mate of Velvet who is quite shy but likes to get her nose into everything.
