Chincoteague Island Kittens

Guest Blog by ‘Becca Dinger-Tedder, Kitten Coordinator, CICC

Here at Chincoteague Island Community Kittens, we like a plan. We REALLY like a plan. Lists, timelines, schedules, guidelines, information packets, calendars, reference books— the oversized desk at “CICK Headquarters” is covered with a million resources and pages and pages of “what ifs.” We try to be ready for whatever might pop up.

But sometimes what happens isn’t on one of your lists. Isn’t on your radar. And you can’t plan for it. Sometimes you don’t even know what you should be planning FOR.

And sometimes, just sometimes…a plan doesn’t so much get “planned” as it “happens, thank goodness.”

During our June 2019 TNR clinic, we had an unexpected intake issue arise: 15 unsocialized kittens, kittens we did not have placement or resources for. These were the “wild child” group that we were so desperately looking to transport to Alexandria. As a result of connections (hi, Jen and Sharon!) made during that transport, those 15 kittens (and CICC) were fortunate to cross paths with the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

HSLC has a foster network that has a TON of experience with socializing feral kittens, and they asked to take on our 15 “wild children” to see if they could work with them. They assumed custody of the group and have been working with them, both for social issues and medical issues. They have invested much time, funding, and love into this group already. Many of the kittens have already moved into foster homes to try to learn how to become polite family members.

The Wild Child June 2019 Contingent received an amazing gift thanks to HSLC–a second chance. We could not be more grateful for this lucky break for these kittens, and for the kindness they have received from Humane Society of Loudoun County volunteers and staff.

From the bottom of our kitten-loving hearts: thank you.

(Photos courtesy of Sharon Nylec, and Julie Brommer, used with permission.)