The kitten Hank was infected with fleas and a deadly feline virus before Hannah Shaw took her in. Hank became the cover model for Shaw's new book on neonatal kitten care, Tiny but Mighty. Andrew Marttila and Hannah Shaw/Penguin Random House hide caption
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Andrew Marttila and Hannah Shaw/Penguin Random House
The kitten Hank was infected with fleas and a deadly feline virus before Hannah Shaw took her in. Hank became the cover model for Shaw's new book on neonatal kitten care, Tiny but Mighty.
Andrew Marttila and Hannah Shaw/Penguin Random House
In addition to personally taking care of newborn kittens, Hannah Shaw, known as the Kitten Lady on social media, consults with shelters and cities on homeless cat management. Andrew Marttila/Penguin Random House hide caption
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Andrew Marttila/Penguin Random House
In addition to personally taking care of newborn kittens, Hannah Shaw, known as the Kitten Lady on social media, consults with shelters and cities on homeless cat management.
Andrew Marttila/Penguin Random House
Hannah Shaw's job title is "professional kitten rescuer."
Known on YouTube and Instagram as the Kitten Lady, Shaw has rescued hundreds of neonatal kittens, often orphaned and unweaned, who are too small and vulnerable to be in an animal shelter. Kittens are a highly euthanized population in shelters because they require a level of care that most shelters cannot provide. That's where Shaw steps in.
"They fit in the palm of your hand. Their eyes are closed. They need around-the-clock feeding and care," she says. "Sometimes they have a life-threatening illness or they are in really critical condition, and I want to be able to give them the attention that they deserve so that they have the best chance to survive."
Shaw's new book, Tiny but Mighty, outlines how to care for the most at-risk felines, and she shares stories from inside her nursery. Her cover kitten, Hank, was dropped off at a pet supply store in a tissue box (hence the full name Hanky) with her umbilical cord still attached. Hank was not only covered in fleas, but her eyes were also infected and she had panleukopenia, a virus that kills 90% of cats when untreated.
"She was my project for an entire week," Shaw says. "For every kitten that I've lost in the past who had [panleukopenia], they've taught me something that helped me to save Hank." After constant monitoring with fluids and tube-feeding, Hank emerged from her illness. "Her eyes were bright — she was like a new cat who was finally learning what it is just to enjoy being alive."
Despite everything she goes through with her rescues, Shaw insists it's not hard to say goodbye when the kittens get adopted.
"I always say that goodbye is the goal of fostering," she says. "My goal always is to get these kittens from being so frail and so fragile and so vulnerable to a place where they're so strong that they don't need me anymore, and they can move on to their adoptive homes."
Interview Highlights
On why neonatal kittens are less adoptable than older kittens
Tiny but Mighty
Kitten Lady's Guide to Saving the Most Vulnerable Felines
by Hannah Shaw and Andrew Marttila
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A lot of people, when they picture a kitten, they picture an adoptable kitten who's bounding around the house and climbing in your lap and purring. Those 8-week-and-up kittens surely are very adoptable. They are easy to find homes for in shelters. But a very unseen population is neonatal kittens.
So the kittens who come into the shelter who are maybe unweaned, maybe they don't have their mom — a lot of them come into the shelter orphaned. And so these young kittens who are 0 to 8 weeks old: They're actually extremely at-risk in animal shelters, because most programs don't have the ability to take care of kittens who are so young and so vulnerable. ... And so the population that I work with when I talk about kittens, I'm talking about this very vulnerable population of young kittens who enter shelters, and they need more help than can be provided within the four walls of that structure.
On why it's important to check if the kitten has a mother before rescuing
If you find a kitten outside, you can assume, if they look like they're clean and they look like they're fed and they're not covered in filth and they're not crying out, these kittens have somebody who's been feeding them. And it's not the local raccoon — it's their mom. So a lot of the time, these kittens do have a mom. ... So we want to always assume that the kittens have a mom, unless they're in a situation where they're very dirty, they're obviously in distress. In those situations, yeah, we can scoop them up, and we want to be able to provide care to those kittens too. ...
I'm known as Kitten Lady. I am dedicating my life to taking care of kittens, but I'll never be as good as a mom cat is at taking care of these babies.
On her kitten nursery at home
Well my dream has been to have this nursery in my home. ... We have a couple different rooms for kittens of different ages and different needs. So our neonate room is really for those newborn kittens when they first come in. People say my house is like kitten Disneyland, but it's also kind of like a kitten hospital. We have a very sterile environment for them. Everything is stainless steel, can be sanitized. We have incubators for those babies (0 to 3 weeks) who come in, and they don't have mom, and they need that constant radiant heat to keep them warm and healthy. I have a refrigerator where all of their formula and medication is capped. We have lots of baby supplies, everything from soft blankets to surrogate mamas that have a little heartbeat inside of them [that] these babies can cuddle up to. Really everything that we need for the tiniest neonates is in that room.
And then we have a room called the socialization room, and the socialization room is for those kittens who are learning how to eat independently. They're learning all of the skills of becoming a tiny cat. So we have enrichment in there, that they can learn how to climb and pounce and play and burrow and do all of the things that a cat can do. ... When I get the kittens in, they typically start out in an incubator, and then we just get to see them through from 0 to 8 weeks all the way to adoption. And we have something for all of them there.
Shaw says that it is critical to provide kittens with a heat source until four weeks of age — as she demonstrates with her young charge Frank. Andrew Marttila and Hannah Shaw/Penguin Random House hide caption
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Andrew Marttila and Hannah Shaw/Penguin Random House
Shaw says that it is critical to provide kittens with a heat source until four weeks of age — as she demonstrates with her young charge Frank.
Andrew Marttila and Hannah Shaw/Penguin Random House
On helping kittens use the bathroom
Little baby kittens, when they have their mom, mom will stimulate them to go to the bathroom by licking their butt and their genitals, and she stimulates them, so it lets their body know, "Oh, it's time to go potty." And she also actually consumes their waste. ...
When you're a surrogate mom, you just have to simulate the feeling that they are being stimulated. So I use either a warm, wet baby wipe or a soft tissue, and you're really just rubbing that area for a number of seconds so that they go to the bathroom in the cloth, and then you just toss that out and wipe them up with a baby wipe. And that's only for the first couple of weeks.
On grooming kittens with a toothbrush
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I use a toothbrush a lot in my nursery for many different reasons. You know, one for grooming, but also for comfort. I'm talking a lot about simulating maternal behaviors for these kittens, and mom cats, they keep their kittens meticulously clean and they also comfort them through licking, and so they have those barbed tongues. And a toothbrush is just about the right texture and size to help these kittens feel like they do have a mom who's licking them and comforting them and keeping them clean. And being able to simulate those behaviors for the kittens helps them become better at grooming themselves and helps them feel well-adjusted and cared for.
On meeting her fiancé Andrew Marttila, "The Cat Photographer"
At the time, I was fostering two neonatal kittens who were both singletons ... I took these two kittens in separately, and I was raising them separately for disease-quarantine reasons. And I thought: Wouldn't it be cute to do a photo shoot of these two baby kittens meeting another kitten for the first time, because they'd never met a cat or a kitten? So I scheduled a photo shoot for Andrew to come, and we did this cute set of two orphan kittens meeting together for the first time ... and ultimately those two kittens, Bruno and Boop, were able to get adopted together. They became best friends. And it turned out that Andrew and I were also inseparable from that point on. I think our second date was at a cat café, and our third date I taught him how to trap cats, because he had never done TNR [trap, neuter, return] before. So we ended up being this powerhouse of feline advocacy.
Amy Salit and Mooj Zadie produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Molly Seavy-Nesper and Patrick Jarenwattananon adapted it for the Web.
FAQs
What is Kitten Lady's real name? ›
Hannah Shaw is a kitten rescuer, humane educator, and New York Times bestselling author who has dedicated her life to finding innovative ways to protect animals. Her project, Kitten Lady, strives to create global change in the way we perceive and treat the tiniest and most vulnerable felines.
Is Hannah Shaw married? ›Personal life
Shaw lives in San Diego with her partner Andrew, who is a professional photographer. She and Andrew have four cats.
Young kittens require stimulation from their mother's tongue in order to defecate. If orphaned, they need to be gently stimulated by a caregiver before every meal. Use a soft tissue or a baby wipe to stimulate the kitten's anus in a circular motion, continuing movement until and while the kitten is pooping.
Are kittens fragile? ›Kittens are fragile.
Newborn kittens are completely helpless and totally dependent on their mothers for nourishment, warmth and elimination. If they're orphaned, they need 24/7 care from a kind human. They need to stay warm and eat every couple of hours around the clock. They even need help pottying.
In 2014, Sanrio revealed that Hello Kitty was 40 years old [1]. She was born on November 1, 1974, but her first appearance was not until March 1975.
How old is the cat lady? ›About This Game
The Cat Lady follows Susan Ashworth, a lonely 40-year old on the verge of suicide. She has no family, no friends and no hope for a better future.
She has three cats, while also caring for anywhere from five to 12 kittens at a time, nursing them through the critical period of age 1 minute to 8 weeks and preparing them for adoption. “We get them adopted very quickly once they're healthy and independent,” she says.
How old is Hannah's fiancé? ›Celebrity Weddings of 2022: See Which Stars Got Married
Hannah, 30, and Des, 46, tied the knot on Friday, May 13, in a Hamptons beachfront ceremony.
| No. 5 – Sheffield Hatters | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 September 1990 Stockport, England |
| Nationality | British / English |
| Listed height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Listed weight | 90 kg (198 lb) |
When kittens are first getting used to using a litter box on their own, it's not uncommon for them to be a little fussy about pooping. Kittens under 8 weeks old will often meow before or during defecation, and that's okay as long as the kitten is not straining or uncomfortable.
Why does my kitten play in the toilet? ›
The Fun Factor
A cat may also develop the habit of drinking from the toilet as a result of play behavior. If there aren't other forms of stimulation and environmental enrichment, the cat may develop an interest in watching the water swirl around whenever the toilet is flushed.
While cats most likely don't “fall in love” in the romantic sense, they definitely feel love, affection and friendship. So the next time your cat is meowing and licking you all over when you're trying to watch TV, just know it's just because he loves you!
What is the most fragile part of a cat? ›Cat paw anatomy
If you've ever wondered why your cat doesn't like their paws being touched, it's actually because they're one of the most sensitive parts of their body.
It is widely accepted that animals also feel pain in the same way that we do, being both a sensory and emotional experience in response to damage, or potential damage to the body. Essentially, if both you and your cat stepped on a sharp object, it's likely you'd have very similar experiences in terms of pain!
Is Hello Kitty A Boy or a girl? ›While writing the script for the exhibit, she referred to Hello Kitty as a "cat," and — as reported in the Los Angeles Times — was firmly corrected by Sanrio, the character's manufacturer: "Hello Kitty is not a cat. She's a cartoon character. She is a little girl.
Who is red and Kitty's daughter? ›Red and Kitty have two children, Laurie Forman and Eric Forman and take in Steven Hyde as one of their own.
Is Hello Kitty a girl or a Kitty? ›She told the Los Angeles Times at the time: “Hello Kitty is not a cat. She's a cartoon character. She is a little girl.
How old is the oldest Kitty? ›If a kitten is healthy and well-fed, weight can be used as a good estimate of age. A kitten's age in pounds is roughly equal to her age in months, up to about 6 months of age. A one-month old kitten should weigh about one pound, and a six-week-old kitten should weigh about a pound and a half.
Who Is Queen cat? ›An adult female cat who hasn't been spayed is called a 'queen cat'. The term comes from the word “queening”, which used to describe the process of giving birth in cats.
Who is the oldest cartoon cat? ›Feline Follies
Felix the Cat is widely considered the world's first animated film star. He first appeared as 'Master Tom' in an animated short titled Feline Follies, released by Paramount Studios on 9 November 1919, a full nine years before Mickey Mouse's debut in Disney's Steamboat Willie (1928).
Who owns the biggest kitten? ›
Yulia Minina, who lives in Oskol in Russia, owns a cat named Kefir, that has been dubbed the 'world's biggest cat' and it's not hard to see why. She had bought the Maine Coon kitten two years ago. And now she says that most people think that her giant white cat is actually a dog.
What does Kitten Lady feed her cats? ›Kitten Lady personally uses Royal Canin Babycat Formula.
Did the Kitten Lady get married? ›Her follow up, Kitten Lady's Big Book of Little Kittens is a children's book. She lives in San Diego and is getting married to her fiancé, cat photographer Andrew Marttila, in October.
Who did Hannah marry? ›Below Deck Med Star Hannah Ferrier Marries Fiancé Josh Roberts.
Did Hannah marry Dez? ›Hannah Berner, who used to star on Bravo's Summer House, is a married woman! The comedian wed fellow comic Des Bishop on May 13. Learn more about their special day below.
Who does Hannah have a crush on? ›At the beginning of the game, Hannah had a crush on Mike. Based on her diary and her actions in the prologue, she is seen as being very trusting towards others.
Is the Kitten Lady vegan? ›A staunch animal advocate, Hannah is also a 15-year vegan who empathizes with the plight of mother and baby cows who are ripped apart by the dairy industry so that humans can drink the milk produced by the mother cows for their calves.
How much is Hannah worth? ›| Real Name | Hannah Stocking Siagkris |
|---|---|
| Weight | 62 Kg (136 Lbs) |
| Net worth | $5-5.3 Million |
| Nationality | American |
| Address/Residence | Los Angeles, California |
When a cat poops, it stimulates a nerve in their body that gives them a euphoric feeling, which might explain why your cat gets the zoomies. The nerve that's being stimulated is called the vagus nerve, and it runs from the brain throughout the body, including the entire digestive tract, Shojai said.
Why do kittens bury their poop? ›"Cats have the instinctual behavior of eliminating away from their core living area and then burying their waste so they don't alert predators to their presence," explains Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC, author and owner of Cat Behavior Associates and member of Daily Paws' Advisory Board.
Should you ignore a crying kitten at night? ›
In conclusion, when your cat meows at night, you must ignore it completely and perfectly in order not to encourage the behaviour. Keeping the cat busy at night may prevent it from getting hungry or finding creative ways of getting your attention.
What to do after you shower a kitten? ›Wrap your kitten in a towel as soon as they are clean and rinsed. Then comes the best part — cuddle and dry them to ensure they stay warm.
Can you use baby wipes to help kittens poop? ›The answer is simply: NO. Human wet wipes and baby wipes are not suitable for use on pets. In fact, Human wipes can be up to 200 times too acidic for your pet's skin.
What do you do when a kitten poops on your bed? ›If your cat has urinated or pooped on a bed, you must thoroughly clean and sanitize the bed so that even the odor is removed. Since cats have a great sense of smell, try to use professional odor neutralizers. If you keep your cat engaged during the day, such problems would be very rare.
Why do cats lick you? ›Your cat is expressing her affection for you.
Your cat's licking may be an affiliative behavior, which is a friendly, altruistic behavior. Mothers groom their kittens, and cats may groom one another, which is called allogrooming.
When your cat nibbles you playfully, she's really offering her affection. This is much different from a fearful or defensive bite that's meant to cause harm, and the feelings behind it are different as well. Love nibbles are a ticklish, funny little quirk of lovable cats.
Why do cats rub against you? ›Most owners see this as a sign of affection and welcome this behaviour. When cats rub against objects, they are transferring their scent. It is almost as if they are claiming ownership and we are one of their belongings. Your cat head-butting or nuzzling your face deposits scent from glands in their cheek area.
What are Tom kitten sisters names? ›Tom and his sisters Moppet and Mittens are playful kittens. They do not enjoy wearing smart clothes and would much rather be playing in the garden outside.
How old is Chase cat? ›Chase is a one year old tabby that was adopted from a litter of kittens that were found abandoned by their mother. He was known as the “rut” of the litter. He never enjoyed sleeping near his siblings and even till this day he prefers to sleep alone.
What breed is the Royale cat? ›The Royale brand is represented by the Royale Kittens, two white Persian kittens who embody the Kitten-y softness of Royale products. They first appeared in a 1973 television commercial which ran until 1984. Since then, the Kittens have appeared in television, print, and Internet marketing material for Royale.
How old is the grumpy cat? ›
| Grumpy Cat at VidCon 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Tardar Sauce |
| Sex | Female |
| Born | April 4, 2012 Morristown, Arizona U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 2019 (aged 7) Morristown, Arizona, U.S. |
It would be fair to say, that 'Sally Cat' was probably the best-known black Persian female cat in England during the 1922-1931 period. She gained her first Championship under the Hon. Mrs.
How old is Jonesy the cat? ›Since he was in cryostasis for the past 57 years, Jonesy would almost certainly be the cat with the longest lifespan in history, being around 60 years old when Ripley left him.
Does cat have a twin sister? ›...
| Melanie Puckett | |
|---|---|
| Eye color | Blue |
| Personal information | |
| Family | Pam Puckett (mother) Mr. Puckett (father) Sam Puckett (twin sister) |
| Likes | Dancing |
Determining the sex (gender) of a kitten is easy when you know what to look for. Lift the kitten's tail. The opening just under the tail is the anus. Below the anus is the genital opening which is round in males and is a vertical slit in females.
Is Hannah Shaw A Vegan? ›A staunch animal advocate, Hannah is also a 15-year vegan who empathizes with the plight of mother and baby cows who are ripped apart by the dairy industry so that humans can drink the milk produced by the mother cows for their calves.
Does Tom the cat have a girlfriend? ›Talking Angela (also called Angela) – Tom's girlfriend, a white cat with a love for travel, singing, fashion and dancing.
Is Tomcat a boy or girl? ›A male cat is called a “tomcat” or a “tom” for short. This term came from a book published in the 1700s called “The Life and Adventures of a Cat.” The main character of the book was named Tom, and he went around and wooed many female cats.