Honey has been a fixture at the Appin colony since we first began monitoring and feeding there, over two years ago. This past season, we were finally successful in trapping her – pregnant – and shortly after, we also captured three of her older children – Rex, Dolly, and Daisy.

Honey is a muted tortoiseshell who has produced many litters in her short, harsh lifetime, and in April 2020, she delivered her last set of kits, which were her first in captivity. Gracie, Elliot, Sam, and Tami – the first and only of her many children to be born domesticated. Today, only one kitten remains with Honey: Ms. Tami. With such an ingrained mistrust of humans and a fiercely protective mothering instinct, Honey is still on the feral side. We see, however, that she is softening, and her spay has calmed her even more.

Tami is a wild child in the sweetest of ways, more due to her youth, as she is gentle and loving with humans. For a short period, as her mother tried to nurse orphans, Tami experienced a very social human and domestic cat situation away from Honey, a dynamic where she thrived. She has since returned to her mother and their bond has strengthened even more.

At this point, they can go their separate ways, but we’d certainly like to see them live their ideal lives, which we feel would be best suited together. They are not only mother and daughter; it’s obvious watching them interact that they are also fast friends. Honey has been feral long enough that her domestication relies heavily on her relationship with Tami.

This scenario is a challenge to a potential adoptive family: if an easy and seamless adoption is what you seek, you have probably already moved on. There are many cats and kittens in need and many wonderful rescue organizations, and we often refer adoption requests to a rescue that can provide what potential adopters desire. Here, though, is a true challenge, and not for the impatient, not for the casual pet owner.

We believe that Honey and Tami can eventually be introduced to a family with other cats, but until her domestication takes, Honey will do best sequestered, with unrestricted access to Tami; this is how she is currently being rehabilitated with us.

Our commitment, first and foremost, is to the felines we rescue, and we try to stay in contact with our adoptive families, encouraging them to share their stories, concerns, and pictures (of course!). We are always ready to provide support for any of our flock and the offer stands for any adoption: if it’s not what was promised, or it’s not working out, we welcome our babes back with open arms, without question.

If you’ve read this far, we assume that you’re a serious cat person, and we haven’t scared you away yet. If you are looking to make a difference in a life worth saving, opening your home to our mother and daughter will not disappoint. For those that choose this path, the somewhat unbelievable truth is just around the corner – the eventual gratitude they will show will be palpable, the bond you will share with them will be deeper, and the effect that you will have on each other will be profound. Contact us if you feel you might be the right match for our girls.