Two tiny kittens fighting for survival were discovered abandoned and alone. Despite their dire situation, luck was on their side as they were found by compassionate individuals in Bradford, England. The kind-hearted residents did not leave the helpless babies to perish and brought them to Katie Lloyd, the founder of Bradford Cat Watch Rescue (BCWR). These neonatal kittens may not be blood brothers, but perhaps family is simply meant to be.
Unbeknownst to them, this family was about to embark on an unexpected journey. It all started on December 10th, 2018 when the BCWR Facebook followers were introduced to a new addition – Mr. Frosty, a tiny furry creature. Abandoned and left to fend for himself on the streets, he was found suffering from hypothermia at just 2-3 weeks old. Thankfully, Katie stepped in to take him under her care, knowing that he would require round-the-clock monitoring for the next 72 hours. Little did they know that their paths were about to intertwine in ways they could never have imagined.
It’s tough for a young kitten to survive without its mother. People often ask us why we don’t just give orphans to nursing moms with similarly aged kittens. However, we don’t believe in putting that kind of burden on already stressed-out moms. It’s not fair to them or their babies.
It’s not only unfair to the mother cat, but it also poses a risk of spreading diseases. It’s heartbreaking to see any cat go through the stress of pregnancy and giving birth, as well as losing their kittens. Unfortunately, despite searching for Mr. Frosty’s family for months, they were never found. Thankfully, he was taken in by another fosterer named Emma Harley, who was dedicated to ensuring his health and well-being. Hand-rearing neonatal kittens is a huge commitment, and rescue organizations like [BCWR] rely solely on volunteers to save hundreds of cats and kittens each year. It’s not uncommon for more cats and kittens to need help, even in the winter months, and they often show up unexpectedly, just like Katie did a couple of weeks later.
A man suddenly came to Katie, blurting out that he discovered an abandoned kitten in his garden. He hurriedly left after saying that, leaving Katie with a male kitten covered in fleas and estimated to be around 2-3 weeks old. Without delay, they took the kitten to the vet and found out that he was anemic and had low blood sugar, making him very weak. The kitten was given intensive care with volunteers watching over him all night. Fortunately, the kitten started to feel better the next day. They named him Lollipop and placed him in a foster home until he was old enough for adoption. With his adorable perma-brows, Lollipop looks curious about having a family. Thanks to the team at BCWR, the little fluffball is now feeling like an actual kitten and learning how to cat with other felines. Having a fellow kitten to play with seems to have helped the little one thrive.
The kittens were lined up neatly, waiting to be fed. As they grew older, they were moved to a different foster home within the organization. This is a common occurrence once bottle-fed kittens are transitioned to a mixture of wet food and formula called “slurry.” Their feedings became less frequent, allowing them to be placed with fosters who didn’t need to stay up all night. Foster parent John Lee took over from there, guiding the boys through the next stages of development. Eventually, the kittens were ready for adoption, but it was bittersweet to think they would be separated. However, the group remained optimistic that someone would be willing to adopt both kittens. And sure enough, in early February 2019, the Wainman family did just that, officially making the kittens brothers. With their adorable faces, how could anyone resist?
The feline pair was bestowed with new monikers that matched their individual traits, a tribute to the comedic pair of the bygone era of Hollywood. The names “Stan” and “Olly” were chosen for Lollipop and Mr. Frosty respectively, inspired by the legendary duo of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. These playful cats are often seen cuddling and playing together, or perhaps indulging in some playful snuggling – whichever it is, their antics are undeniably adorable! This charming pair owes their existence to the unwavering dedication of foster parents who have tirelessly cared for them. To show your support for Bradford Cat Watch Rescue, please visit their website and social media handles and make a donation. Let’s not forget to appreciate the incredible work done by this team of compassionate animal lovers in rescuing animals in need.
