Fiona And Franklin: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Fiona and Franklin, around 6 to 7 weeks old, are the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter's Huntington Pets of the Week.

They were each found inside a homeowner's car engine but both are from separate towns, said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

"Sometimes life just throws you a curveball and that is what happened with our featured kittens this week," Larkin said.

The shelter received a call for Fiona on May 9 after she was heard screaming from underneath a car in Freeport.

"The homeowner immediately called 911 and a message was sent to John Debacker, who was able to successfully free the terrified kitten," Larkin said.

Franklin was another kitten found screaming underneath a car in Islip for three days. The
homeowner made quite a few calls but nobody was able to help and free the kitten, according to Larkin.

Debacker was called again, and since he had just finished rescuing another kitten from a similar situation a few miles away, he rushed over and used one kitten to lure Franklin out from the engine.

"Very successful for both rescues!" Larkin said.

Fiona is a small white with grey patches kitten.

"How she got separated from her family is a mystery, especially since the area was searched and there were no other kittens or a mom," Larkin said.

When Fiona arrived at the shelter, staff immediately gave her a bath because she was covered in dirt and grease from the car. Even after two baths, Fiona still looked disheveled, but the rescue got her ready for the veterinarian to check her.

"She was not a happy camper with either bath, but as it turns out she is in a foster home with dogs and one of the dogs was happy to oblige by giving her his version of a bath!" Larkin said. "And we are happy to tell you the dog has no discernible scars from Fiona, so it was a success!"

Franklin is an all grey kitten about 6-7 weeks old. He has the softest fur, almost semi long hair and is "very, very thick," Larkin said.

Franklin was lucky enough not to be covered in dirt and grease from his ordeal but he received a
quick sponge bath just in case, according to Larkin.

"He took it like a champ."

He was another single kitten in a precarious situation.

"Fiona is on the spicy side and is definitely the alpha between the two of them," Larkin said. "She is first at the food plate and if she finishes before Franklin, she will pull his plate away from him so she can finish and will give him a hiss and growl to let him know who is the boss! He is so laid back that he waits for her to finish eating and then he approached his half empty plate."

Both Franklin and Fiona love to play with the toys and they have a favorite..a fishing pole with a fabric bug attached to it and it gets them running and jumping while chasing it.

"Fiona has already let the older cats in the foster home know she is the one in charge, including the two dogs," Larkin said. "Franklin has introduced himself to the in-house cats and seems OK, but he is still a bit timid with the dogs. It will just take him a bit longer to relax completely. Both babies love to sit on your lap and snuggle when they have worn themselves out and Franklin is a purr machine and actually gives nose kisses!"

Fiona and Franklin have both been checked by the shelter's in-house veterinarian, tested negative for FELV and FIV, tested negative for parasites, had their first worming and their first set of vaccines.

They will both receive a second worming and set of shots on June 5 and then they will receive last set of vaccines and will be spayed and neutered the last week in June. They should be entering the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter in the first week of July.

If you are interested in meeting Fiona or Franklin, you may call the shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, visit the Facebook page or visit at the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.

The rescue is at 3 Verleye Ave., East Northport, and visiting hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The shelter is also open from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday nights only for those who cannot make it during the daytime hours.

"These two beauties are not going to last long once they arrive at the shelter because of their loving and trusting personalities, even after what happened to them," Larkin said. "Please give them a warm home, not a car engine for warmth, plenty of food, lots of toys and plenty of love. They will both be happy to share their love with you."