WOODBURY — The Woodbury FFA’s vet science department continues its partnership with Whiskers Rescue, taking in a new rescue cat named Onyx on Oct. 16. After just six days of being comforted and welcomed at Nonnewaug, Onyx brought seven kittens into the world Oct. 22.
“Our first foster cat of the year is Onyx, a sweet black cat estimated to be 3-4 years old, perfectly fitting for those in the spirit of celebrating Halloween,” vet science teacher Jesse Hungerford said. “As most of the community is already aware, Onyx had seven healthy kittens during school on Oct. 22.”
Vet science teacher Jennifer Jedd, who was at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis with competing students at the time, says Onyx had adapted well.
“She appears to feel at home and loves her cat house in her kennel,” Jedd said. “She is a little more shy, but she is turning out to be very sweet.”
The labor process to help the cat while delivering kittens requires some help from the FFA.
“When they are in labor, we keep the room dark and quiet, and we don’t touch or interfere unless absolutely necessary,” Jedd said. “We then make sure all babies are breathing and clean, and then continue to monitor to make sure they pass their first stool, latch on to successfully nurse, and we weigh the kittens twice per day to ensure they are gaining weight.”
The day after Jedd left for Indianapolis, that was exactly what happened.
During a junior/senior vet class, members of the class noticed Onyx had been staying in the open closet full of fluffy stuffed animals and panting. Later, Mia Castro noticed, while checking on her at 9:30 a.m., that there was a kitten born.
Students helped by turning off lights and all noise-making devices as well as gathering the proper supplies. Laying towels down to help Onyx have comfort, students sat quietly and ready to assist their other teacher Jesse Hungerford whenever she needed it.
The last kitten was born healthy at 2:30 p.m. The seven kittens are expected to be ready for adoption as things run smoothly around Christmas time.
“We try to wean our kittens around week five,” Hungerford said. “By week six, they are fully independent from mom, eating their own food, exploring new terrain, and learning social skills on their own. We work closely with Whiskers to ensure all cats get to their forever homes as efficiently as possible.”
The vet department continues to help raise the kittens and looks forward to helping them grow and find their first home, as well as taking in more rescues.
