SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING CATS

My furry children are finally all here under one roof. The little feral family was the last group to be brought over to the new cat home in the barn. I left them for last because I wanted them to have some stress-free time (without the other cats around) and hoped the transition would be easier if they were relaxed when I picked them up and placed them in carriers. For the most part, that worked. Gracie and Annie seemed much less feral than they were a few months ago. They allowed me to pet them for longer than I'd expected. They even purred when I petted them and that was the progress I'd always hoped would come. That doesn't mean they'll accept affection tomorrow, but for now, I'm happy with the progress and I'm still willing to let them be who they are. The girls' brother, Timmy, did get a bit frightened when I needed to pick him up and put him into his carrier, but he did well on the ride over here and seemed happy to be reunited with his sisters.

I brought Gracie here last night. She cried when I took her into the cat room but the other cats, who are now old pros at navigating in their new areas, greeted her and soon she was out of the carrier and under the couch. That was fine since she felt safer there. Today she was out and about climbing on one of the cat condos. When I brought Annie over today, she also cried a bit but then we heard a little kitty voice echoing the cries, but in a softer tone. I took the cat carrier to the couch and opened the door. Annie cried and her sister, Gracie, answered each time. It only took a minute for Annie to decide she wanted to join her sister under the couch. They were there most of the afternoon but will come out when they're ready.

Tonight it was Timmy's turn. He was the last kitty left at the other house and I was not about to leave him there alone all night. He and his sisters had never been apart, except for the one night they were spayed and he was neutered. They are inseparable. Timmy was hesitant (which is putting it mildly) to go into the carrier but as strange as it might seem, he gave up the fight and went inside it right after I told him Annie and Gracie were fine and were waiting on him. I'm not sure cats understand much of what we say to them, but I'm convinced they do know when we're trying to help them. Once in the carrier, he seemed calm and didn't make a sound on the way here. After being taken to the cat area in the barn, he sat in the carrier for awhile until he heard Gracie calling to him. She somehow knew he'd arrived and since she has the softest voice of the three, I knew she was the one calling. I took Timmy to the couch as I'd done for Annie and both kitty girls "talked" to him and he answered them. He then left the carrier and joined them under the couch. They can stay tucked safely under the couch until they're ready to join the others. They'll come out to eat and use the litter box but it might take some time for them to adjust to their new home. That's ok. We have time. I'm just happy they're all here now.