3 Gray Kittens From East Meadow Colony Seek Homes: Huntington Adoptable Pet Of The Week

HUNTINGTON, NY — Tina, Teddy and Tyler, three gray kittens rescued from an East Meadow colony after their feral mother was spayed and returned, are this week’s Huntington adoptable pets of the week.

The kittens were only 4 weeks old when they came to Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, the shelter said.

“Imagine being just four weeks old,” the shelter said. “Your whole world is your mom, your siblings, and the backyard where you were born.”

Their mother was humanely trapped, spayed and returned to her East Meadow colony as part of a trap-neuter-return project, according to the shelter. The kittens were examined by Grateful Paw’s veterinarian and immediately placed into foster care.

There, volunteers said, they began learning that people could be “kind, gentle and loving.”

“What happened next has been nothing short of amazing,” the shelter said. “These three little kittens have blossomed into affectionate, playful, happy babies who absolutely adore human attention.”

Tina and Tyler are soft gray tiger kittens with tiny white mittens and look so much alike that volunteers say they could be twins. Their gray eyes blend into their delicate markings, and the shelter said the only way to tell them apart is by looking closely at their faces.

Then there is Teddy, their fluffy, long-haired brother.

“He looks like he belongs to a completely different family,” the shelter said.

At more than 8 weeks old, Teddy’s eyes still have not changed color, and volunteers are hoping they stay the bright blue they are now.

Each kitten has captured the shelter’s attention in a different way.

“Tina believes every lap was made just for her,” the shelter said. “The moment she curls up beside you, she purrs herself right to sleep.”

Tyler has what volunteers described as a sweet pre-meal ritual.

Before every meal, the shelter said, Tyler insists on extra love and reassurance. Once he gets his cuddles, he happily eats “as though it’s the best meal he’s ever had.”

Teddy, meanwhile, wants contact before he falls asleep.

“A hand, an arm, a neck — it doesn’t matter,” the shelter said. “He just wants to know someone is there.”

After spending the first weeks of his life outdoors, volunteers said that kind of comfort means everything to him.

All three kittens have strong appetites, love toys, and spend their days playing, cuddling, exploring and piling together for naps, according to Grateful Paw.

The kittens remain in foster care and are expected to arrive at Grateful Paw Cat Shelter at the end of July.

Tina, Teddy and Tyler have tested negative for FeLV and FIV, tested negative for parasites, had their ears, eyes and hearts checked by the shelter veterinarian, received two rounds of vaccines, and are litter box trained. Before adoption, they will receive their remaining vaccines, be spayed or neutered, and be microchipped.

Because the kittens have been through so much together, the shelter said they share a special bond.

“We would love to see them adopted in pairs — or, if someone has room in both their home and heart, all three together,” the shelter said.

A single adoption may be considered if another age-appropriate kitten is available when they arrive, according to Grateful Paw.

The shelter said it does not know much about the kittens’ lives before rescue, other than that the homeowners called animal rescuer John Debacker to trap the family.

“But we do know this: These kittens didn’t choose to be born outside,” the shelter said. “They didn’t choose hunger, uncertainty, or losing the only world they knew.”

What they deserve now, volunteers said, is simple: “A warm bed. A full bowl. A sunny window. Gentle hands. A family that will love them for the rest of their lives.”

Those interested in meeting Tina, Teddy and Tyler can call Grateful Paw Cat Shelter at 631-757-4517, email cats@laphuntington.org, follow their journey on the shelter’s Facebook page, or stop by once the shelter announces they have arrived.

Grateful Paw Cat Shelter is located at 3 Verleye Ave. in East Northport. Shelter hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with Thursday evening visits available from 7 to 9 p.m. by appointment.

“Could that family be yours?” the shelter said. “Their forever family may be just one share away.”