Colin's Cats

18/03/2025

Oh no she’s a dangerous apex predator!! 😂

17/03/2025

Little Miss Squishy is playful! She’s still very nervous about me but she DEFINITELY likes to play.

Playtime is not only fun, it helps kittens and cats build confidence by giving them a chance to behave like predators, not prey. Squishy feels like prey around me because I’m so big and strange, but the more she swats, bites, and pounces on things around me, the less helpless she feels.

This is only our second time playing!

14/03/2025

I put the kitten bed in and she immediately climbed in!! 🥰 Look at that cozy baby! She still feels sick but her energy and appetite are coming back. Today she even hissed at me! 😂 She needs more time to heal before she’ll have energy to play and trust me. For now, she gets lots of food, rest, and sunshine.

13/03/2025

Squishy is still very tired but she’s eating a lot more now that she’s medicated! For now I’m not worried about her eating in front of me for socialization purposes (although she has done that). I just want her to eat as much as she needs to fight off this virus.

10/03/2025

🐾 What To Do If You Spot a Cat Outside 🐾

Kitten season is just around the corner, and with that comes more sightings of cats and kittens outdoors — but what should you do if you see a cat and want to help? 🐱

The first step is to safely try to catch the cat yourself if you can. Many rescues, including Kawakuji, are volunteer-run with limited resources, so direct help from kind-hearted animal lovers like you is crucial. Once safely caught, the next step is to bring the cat to a rescue or vet for evaluation and health checks.

Next, check if the cat might already be part of a managed colony. In Japan, TNRed (Trap-Neuter-Return) cats often have a V-shaped cut in their ear called “Sakura no Mimi” (cherry blossom ear), showing they’ve already been spayed or neutered and returned to their home territory. Also, look for food bowls, shelter setups, or nearby feeders, which could mean the cat is being cared for as part of a colony.

If you notice a group of unfixed cats living together without evidence of a caretaker, it’s important to alert local rescues or TNR groups so they can step in to prevent overpopulation and future suffering. Even if you can’t catch the cats yourself, reporting unmonitored colonies is a vital part of responsible community care.

Every set of eyes and every helping hand makes a difference in saving lives and improving conditions for Japan’s stray cats. 🐾❤️

10/03/2025

A full tummy and a warm bed are magic. Squishy ate a lot then pooped a lot and is now sleeping like a rock. 😂 # RescueKitten

10/03/2025

Meet “Squishy!”

Two nights ago I spotted this dirty kitten eating dry food left out for feral cats.

Since it was freezing cold and I’ve had a problem with a visiting raccoon, I set out a trap the next night and almost immediately had a new guest!

Squishy has watery, crusty eyes, but is definitely more scared than spicy. I’m making a vet appointment for Friday and looking for a foster.

In the meantime, I’m giving Squishy time alone to rest and decompress. It’s so hard to be alone outside in the cold. A full tummy and a safe, warm place to sleep as much as you want can be really healing. ❤️

Fingers crossed for a good checkup at the vet and a speedy recovery!

05/08/2024

Update on Lulu & Friday, the lovely sisters who were adopted in March!

They’re almost a year old and look like real cats now!

When you rescue any cat or kitten, you never know how their story will turn out. Will they be too sick to save? Will you find a good home for them?

When they were rescued in 2023, Lulu had already lost an eye to infection and had an abscess on her side. Friday was sick with a horrible cold and underweight. They were scared and hungry. Now they’re spoiled to bits with love, toys, and lots of comfy places to sprawl.

It’s the best possible outcome for these two little girls and I couldn’t be happier!

05/07/2024

Remember Nezuko, the pretty calico who showed me her friendly side in Saitama (2021) and was rescued and adopted?

She’s moving abroad! Her human reached out to me to let me know that Nezuko and her sister (a Japan Cat Network foster fail) will be joining the family when they leave Japan.

Nezuko is super loved and I couldn’t ask for a better happy ending for this pretty girl!

05/07/2024

18/06/2024

Black cats are so cute!!