Mom And 5 Kittens: Huntington Adoptable Pets Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — In honor of Mother’s Day, the Grateful Paw Cat Shelter has one special mom who gave birth to five kittens at the beginning of April: three boys and two girls.

"And boy does she have her paws full!" said Debbi Larkin, president of the shelter.

Candy, the mother, and her kittens, Chicklet, Cadbury, Charleston, Carmello and Clark, are the Huntington Pets of the Week.

Candy appeared at a colony in Springfield Gardens that had already been TNR’d a few years ago, according to Larkin. The homeowner, who is also the colony feeder, noticed Candy along with her babies. She immediately called another rescuer for help while she set out to capture Candy, and she and her kittens were brought to Grateful Paw Cat Shelter.

Candy arrived to the shelter five weeks ago, and after being checked by its in-house veterinarian, she was placed in foster care with her little ones, who were still nursing.

Candy is around 2 years old or less, Larkin said, but the shelter isn't positive.

"She is a beautiful grey tabby with white who adores her babies, even when they are climbing all over her and clinging to her for comfort," Larkin said.

The babies are all eating on their own now, even after the occasional nursing with their mom. They are very active with one another, Larkin said.

The two female grey and white tigers are named Chicklet and Cadbury and are very inquisitive about everything in the foster home.

The three brown tiger/tabby kittens are named Clark, Charleston and Carmello. They are a little more laid back than the girls and are content to just curl up in their bed and snuggle.

"They will all play together and that is a sight to behold…little bodies jumping around the room in every direction," Larkin said. "They have a new cat condo that was donated for them, and we can hardly wait to see all of them trying to climb to the top! And I am sure mom will be all the way up there taking a breather from the ruckus below."

Candy tested negative for FELV and FIV and will be given her first set of vaccines this week.

"We don’t like to vaccinate while they are still nursing," Larkin said. "She will then be separated from the babies for two weeks while she is drying out and then she will be spayed and come directly into the shelter. We guesstimate she will be available for adoption the first week in June, just in time for National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month."

Chicklet, Cadbury, Clark, Charleston and Carmello will be tested for FELV and FIV this week and also receive their first set of vaccines.

"We are fairly positive since mom’s test was negative they will be also," Larkin said. "They will be on a schedule for vaccines, worming and nail clipping and we are hoping as long as everyone reaches the goal weight (3 pounds) they will be spayed and neutered by the end of June and come directly into the shelter."

If you are interested in meeting Candy or the kittens and want updates, you may call the shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, or visit the Facebook page, where the shelter will keep everyone apprised of their progress.

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.

"Candy would love to be in a forever home so she doesn’t have to wander the streets anymore looking for food and shelter, and her five babies deserve the same," Larkin said. "It is officially kitten season so let’s give these five babies a chance to live to out their lives in a home with other animals and people that love them, so we can make room to help all of the others out there this year!"