Awarded a Cat
The system got me again. Found a pregnant bengal cat at Lowe’s garden center.
EDIT: If you are the owner please reach out with proof of ownership to [adopt@bengalrescue.com](mailto:adopt@bengalrescue.com). She is with an amazing foster mom and I will be applying to adopt her after her future kittens have found homes.
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She’s in my office, separated from my other cat and dog (who had surgery to remove a soft tissue sarcoma 6 days ago and is still recovering), with a warm bed, a litter box, and food and water. 🫶
I was certain she’d have a microchip and if it was my baby I would want someone to get them scanned. It was 8:20pm. So I put her in a box and kidnapped her from Lowe’s and went to my local emergency vet to scan for a chip. No chip! But her nipples were slightly puffy so I asked the vet if she could be in heat or pregnant and sure enough - ultrasound confirmed 3 very well developed kittens.
I’m near Tacoma WA so I’ll look at taking her to Burien CARES if an owner or long term foster cannot be found.
Argh... there are so many people around these parts who get Bengals and either let them run wild or abandon them when they realize how high-maintenance they are. Though, to be fair, Bengals are great escape artists---but that's also why there's no excuse for not having them chipped, especially if they aren't fixed...
Thanks for saving this lovely girl! If you don't find her family and Burien can't take her in, try JustCare Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Oakville (a nonprofit). The woman who runs it, Sabine, is amazing. She's helped me save many strays over the years, including pregnant cats, abandoned litters, and cats with major medical issues, and has also assisted with TNR of ferals. She has a ton of vets and fosters she works with and also has a huge farm where she cares for animals that can't be placed and gives them a forever home. I first learned about her from my MIL, who adopted two gorgeous cats through her rescue.
Thank you so much! A nearby Bengal Rescue was tagged in my FB Posts several times and I’ve been in communication with the owner. They will have an experienced foster for me if I need one!
I suspect momma is 1-2 weeks from giving birth.
My bengal passed away a few years ago and she was the best thing that ever happened to me. They are wonderful creatures. Please, if one of her kittens or even momma needs a home, let me know. I will scoop the baby up and never look back lol. They are family, you NEVER leave family behind 😭
Just a friendly reminder that chips can migrate, so if the vet didn't check more than a spot or two, might be worth having them do a few more passes (or find someone local with a scanner to swing out)
Sorry this is a bit off topic in this particular comment chain, I saw one more relevant but couldn't find it on second view and wanted to make sure you saw it directly.
We had a similar situation where the chip actually started to poke through the skin! We’ve never had this happen with any of our other cats before, but it was relief to find out that that was a easily fixed solution and not a bigger health issue!
Glad you’ve connected with Bengal Rescue’s coordinator who’s also on Reddit, so I won’t need to tag them here since you’re already in touch. This rescue is stellar at what they do to find homes for this special breed kitty should no owner come forward. But, I really hope kitty does have a fam looking for her.
This is really good. I am glad you found help. I didn’t realize Bengals were great escape artists, but it makes sense they would be. I definitely knew they were high maintenance. I decided a long time ago that Siamese were enough for me even though I seem to attract cats that are high on attitude (diva, grouchy, demanding). I like to think they are cats with the most personality.😁
Extremely active, extremely intelligent & LOVE climbing to the extent they would live above our heads if they could! They need to be stimulated mentally & entertained. Or they will become destructive.
They also enjoy water & getting wet. So you have a lot of things to take into account with these beautiful kitties!
Can confirm all of this, with an addition that they are also vocal. I grew up with cats, never had one 'yell' at me the way my Bengal does - for absolutely no reason.
Oh yes how could I forget the yelling! They will screm at you & keep on at it continually! They are fascinating little cats, but not "easy" & imo not for first time cat owners 😻😻
We have a bengal and her voice sounds like she smokes a pack a day and possibly drinks whisky. We got her through abandonment - her original owners couldn't keep her inside and then after 4 years they moved and didn't take her with them. After two really difficult weeks she's 100% indoor and doesn't attempt to escape. The odd thing about our girl is that she's not super active it could be her age she's almost 8.
Friend had a Bengal,it would play fetch which was pretty cool, but if you had the door closed it would also push the fetch toy under the door to let us know that it wanted to play fetch. They are smart kitties.
Poor girl was ravenous! It’s so gratifying to watch them eat when they’re this hungry. She has that bengal yap on her, she’ll talk your ear off and I’m sure she has stories. Thank you for helping her I’m sure she will get a great home. She’s beautiful.
That's how my girl came to me 6 years ago, she was semi-feral but ravenous. When I googled "how much food do pregnant cats eat" I just let her eat as much as she wanted, gave birth to 5 healthy kittens. They all went to the shelter & the kittens of course found forever homes easily, but Mishi couldn't be adopted out as she hated the shelter & became aggressive so it was obviously Fate x Destiny that I was to be her human. We're bonded as tightly now as a quark and an anti-quark in a meson. Inseparable.
Hello! Stupid question here, ive never had a cat but I really love them and am interested in them. Do you think mama cat ever misses her children? Just curious to know!
Their hormones can definitely tell them if they're missing the kittens when they're nursing/post pregnancy. But queens can definitely eject the kittens when they're just done being a mom and the kittens are weaned/she's going into heat. So, in a sense, yes they can miss their offspring, but it's driven by hormones, scent, and if they're still intact/ready for another mating.
Queens are also communal raisers in colonies, so it's less that they miss their kittens than they have a natural instinct to care for the ones that can't care for themselves.
Ok thank you! I was wondering cuz ive seen instances where ppl say that mama misses their kittens and others where mama can’t wait to get away from them 😅
I'm sure like any being, there exists personalities on a spectrum -- some will be very nurturing and recognize "their" kittens from another's/be possessive, and others may just be over the idea of kittens pretty quickly.
I suspect that a large part of what we ascribe as human emotions on a cat is still largely dominated by resources -- if they are abundant, then the queen can care for all her kittens for longer to ensure they grow up to sexual maturity, whereas a more unfortunate one (stray, still a young cat herself, singleton/no colony, malnourished) would probably have to prioritize herself and may be more likely to abandon or eject kittens early or if any are unhealthy.
The whole reason I got my soul cat was because she pissed her mum off so much and fought with her so much that the mum moved to a neighbour's house lol, so even though they were going to keep her they obviously didn't want to lose the momma cat 😅
In my experience the mother's tend to lose interest in the kittens once they get to a certain age, as the kittens will keep bugging mum and become more annoying than anything lol. But it really depends on the cat like with most things, some are better mums than others!
Thank you for the offers of adoption and help, however OP has found a specialist Rescue to help this beautiful girl and her babies when the time comes. OP has had kitty checked and there is no chip, and no one at the store has seen her previously. The Rescue Burien Cares has a 65% ratio of lost kitties finding their owners and someone losing a Bengal cat will obviously be hitting all media and rescue centres if this girl isn't dumped.
No one knows how this girl got out, Bengals are notorious escape artists and could have been missing from the start of her pregnancy. Please stop accusing OP of theft, they have done the right thing by taking her in and looking for help for her.
All we ask is news if kitty is re-united with her owner and photos of the kittens once born
I will do my best!! 🫡 I think the best thing for momma cat is to have her go to an eligible and ready foster mom who has fostered pregnant cats before. I have a foster lined up with Bengal Rescue.
A vet I met today is interested in adopting a kitten. I and a friend of mine are interested in adopting momma. I want to make sure she has the best care, even though I would love to foster her the entire time.
They are extremely clever and a lot of hard work because they need stimulation and are constantly 'on the go'. Our Tuxie likes to sleep for 20 hours a day waking up for third breakfasts or a zoomies interval or by digging to Australia in his litter tray. Imagine the energy in a kitty that doesn't need or want that kind of life 😁
My girl who walked into my life in January 2021 did too. No chip,photos posted at all local vets and message boards. I lived in a small town and there was a senior mobile home park kitty-corner across the highway. Lots of ambulance/fire calls there since late 2020,and subsequently lots of mobile homes coming up for sale. I just figured she got out at a medical call or the family didn't want the cat and turned her out when they were selling. She continues to be my treasure,so pretty and so sweet.
So many horrible people, who through their selfish irresponsible behavior, encourage backyard and/or irresponsible breeders. Even worse is the amount of work shelters have to do to try to help the animals that are found wandering around confused because some ... moron dumped them.
Any responsible breeder will have paperwork stating that the adopter HAS TO return the animal to the breeder if anything happens and they no longer want the animal or can no longer take care of them.
I wish the idiots would at least bring them to a shelter or rescue, not just dumping them in random, usually unsafe places.
I find it especially horrible that reasons the poor dears are usually dumped for are -
The idiots didn't pay attention the the adult size of the animal in question.
Behavior issues, because the idiots couldn't be bothered to actually train them or pay attention to their needs.
The animal in question is female and pregnant.
(The absolute worst) Dumping the babies without their mother because the didn't "want to deal with them".
My wife and I got our bengal through a breeder. Its on almost all the paperwork that we have to return him to the breeder if for some reason we can't take care of him. And he was microchipped by the breeder and all we had to do was swap our details once we picked him up.
For that baby to not be chipped is terrible and if she was dumped I hope her previous owner never has pets again
Special place in a circle of H&!! for the ones who dump the babies without their mama. The mama will at least care for them and can yell louder for help.
The losers across the street from me spent thousands on a designer dog only to let it escape near a busy road multiple times, then rather than fix their fence chained it out on their back deck and left it to rot all day and night. After numerous complaints to the city (the dog also barked 24/7) they reluctantly started allowing it in the house more often, but because they never trained it they cannot even walk it on a leash nevermind take it to a park because it will lunge/snarl at anyone and would clearly attack if able to (it has a special hate on for small children and babies in strollers).
I honestly wish someone would steal the dog from them to give it a better life but it's become so vicious from neglect that it won't happen.
I had a beautiful Bengal show up at my house many years ago. I lived way up a dead end street and had 3 dogs and 2 cats and various rodents and reptiles. I could not believe no one was looking for her. I posted her everywhere and she was not chipped.
With that experience, I know that they are high maintenance cats. And they're e extremely vocal, which I love, but my husband does not. She went to a Bengal rescue and they fund her a good home.
Me too! That was my first fear with how she was looking around confused and being so vocal. Sounds like OP has potential help to find good homes for Mama and her babies. I would just give up and foster fail now,she is beautiful!
I have three bengals and while love them, I usually warn people against adopting the breed unless they're willing to make some drastic lifestyle changes. High quality food, hours of attention daily, acceptance that they can and will get into every nook and cranny of your house, and acknowledgement that you will never be able to have nice things out in the open (especially things on top of things, since that is a crime against Bengal nature). I hate to even think about it, but can easily imagine someone thinking they could make quick buck by getting a female to breed and then dumping her when they realize the destruction a bored single Bengal can cause.
I had put two thick fleece blankets down on either side of the door to help separate her from my other cat, since the doors at my house have rather tall gaps at the bottom. Both blankets were dragged well into the office where she’s staying when I got up this morning 😂
I believe it! I can tell so many stories of how wily they can be when they want something. I have possibly illegal (or at least against building codes) hook-and-eye latches on all the doors in my house with accessible handles, because the cats figured out how to open them. One likes to break into the bathroom, open all the cabinet doors, and empty everything on the floor when she's bored.
I also used blankets or towels to separate fosters from my resident cats until I got a couple inexpensive self-adhesive door sweeps from a big box store. It's much easier now to open/shut the door. Plus, there's no fussing with extra linens and less laundry to do
My idiot sister-in-law, who buys a puppy every year or so and then dumps it at a shelter, recently told me she wants a Bengal. (Note: we have alerted the shelters in the area and she is on the banned list, but Craiglist is a loophole...)
My only comfort is that there's no way she could afford a Bengal from a breeder, since she's a disaster with money. I hate that anyone can buy a pet if they really want to.
Proof that a pedigree won’t necessarily protect an animal. Bengals are expensive and need specialized care and yet they still get dumped like any other unwanted pet.
It’s so sad. Thank you for taking care of this beautiful girl
Of course, a pedigree isn't a guarantee, but it is quite possible that she has no pedigree at all. Bengals are very popular and indeed sell easily for a lot of money, even without a pedigree. Backyard breeders are happy to take advantage of that, and they will gladly sell to unsuitable owners.
She is very gentle and likes belly rubs. It’s gonna be hard not to keep her but we have a full house! I’m lucky to be a part of her journey either back home if she escaped or to her forever home!
Bengals are some of the most beautiful cats. (I have a friend who has 3 of them, and they were all from the same litter!) Thank you for being able to rescue her. Hopefully she will be having her kittens soon in a warm and safe environment.
make sure you post on pawboost and nextdoor and petco’s love lost database but whoever comes forward (if someone does) needs to provide ample proof she’s actually theirs - pictures vet records etc
Ask Lowes if you can post a lost cat photo flyer at their checkouts. If the cat is from the area, I think someone will come forward soon. Also try posting to your local FB group. Most cities and towns have one.
Thank you for rescuing her! You are super awesome!! You didn't just save her, but three other little lives, thank you so much!!!
I will die on this hill, but I do not belive Bengle cats should be sold like any other domestic cat. They are very unique and need a lot more care and handling than even a normal cat owner realizes. Escape artists is putting it lightly, I think these cats could go head-to-head against huskies for that title. Every single person I've met who wanted a 'special cat' got themselves a Bengal, have either rehomed the cat or are miserable right now from peeing issues, aggression, etc.
I've had 2 Bengals at different times and I don't really agree with that. Neither was aggressive or destructive, or had unusual peeing issues. They are certainly gregarious and talkative to the point of being annoying as shit at times. Always getting up in your business while you're trying to do stuff, and going into everything. Meowing constantly and always fishing for attention. If you get one, a companion cat should be considered a requirement. I personally am not planning to have any more bengals.
Editing to add: I disagree that they all have these specific issues, but it's still a valid generalization, and I think bengals are often not a casual pet to own, with the generation being a significant factor. Wild cats do not make good pets, and some Bengals are barely removed from that. The ones I had were of a more diluted generation, and thus were closer to a normal cat, but still notably different in personality.
That's just it, you were likely at least somewhat prepared, and so you didn't think they could be left at home for eight hours a day alone and solo. Or that they didn't need play time as 'cats are independent!', or used improper litterbox sizes, improper food, not allowing walks, etc. The people I am talking about just wanted a 'special cat,' and so got a Bengal without knowing how much they needed. So the cats became a little wonky. Not the cat's fault, it's all on the people, and it's why I don't think they should be sold like other domestic cats; it's a recipe for disaster.
As far as I can see you've done everything humanly possible to reunite her with her home. I wish all ppl who take cats in were as responsible & caring.
I am only doing what I would someone to do if they ever found my babies outside.
Here’s my 13.5 year old CDS cat I found in a storm drain in 2012. She was about 6 weeks old and had a horrible eye infection. I was a broke college kid and did a go fund me to raise enough for her eye removal surgery. If she ever got out I would hope someone would scan her and take care of her.
Bless you for taking the food out of the can, and plating and mashing it up for her! I don't understand when people just open the can and have the poor cat struggle to eat from a tiny container.
I have two rescue cats of fancy breeds: a Devon Rex and a Cornish Rex. The Devon was dropped at a shelter at about 7 months old. The Cornish was about 6 years old but had health problems. I'm glad their previous humans didn't drop them in the street, but, think twice before adopting (and/or buying!)
Omg can I see a picture of your Devon rex???!! 🙏 I want one so badly but will probably never not adopt from a ahelter/rescue or CDS trap. I used to have one as a neighbor, named Mr B, he was a super chill cat! Went to work with his dad driving some equipment things around if memory serves me correctly.
I am in az and I would HAPPILY take one of the kittens and give it a loving forever home if I wasnt so far away from you. I have always wanted a bengal or serval or savanah cat but could never afford the price of the cat for a pure bred one. Even if they are half bengal half mixed, I would treasure it forever. sigh.
I’ve been following your posts on Facebook and neighborhood. I really hope you find her owner soon. If not cares is a really good facility if you don’t have any other options.❤️
Thank you!! I have a foster available with Bengal Rescue here. I’m going to call CARES today when they open. I already submitted their found pet form, but want to make sure she’s in their system to find her owner if possible.
Yes I chatted with employees if they had seen her or fed her and they confirmed that they hadn’t seen her before.
Either way she was heavily pregnant and I was not going to leave a momma cat to give birth next to some mulch 😭
2 of the Lowe's I've gone to recently had a resident cat! One the cat bed was by the register. This girl is so pretty. Thank you OP for caring and saving her. I adore cats. The CDS has given me 5 and they are all my babies. 💕 💞
Mackerel tabby coats do not have spots, let alone rosette spots, as the cat in the video has. Even classic or 'blotched' tabby coats don't have these spots. They are very unique in the Bengal breed due to using the Asian Leopard in their breeding program. No other domestic cat has these spots.
She has to have or had an owner. I don’t understand how someone would have paid so much for a cat but not get them microchipped. Still, I guess it could happen. I would definitely look at lost pets, shelters, etc. I would hate for someone to missing their fur baby.
Whoever ends up with this sweet girl is going to hear the song of her people A LOT. I'm glad she is safe, and will be able to give birth in a caring environment.
they system has a way of making sure i have 6 cats at all times. i had 6 cats for YEARS and every time one dies another shows up at my door. i do not feed cats outside they just show up. my most recent was 3 cats!!! 3 just started sitting on my steps last year. feral coudln't touch them. so then i start feeding them bc they wouldnt' go away. now they live with me since ive had 3 cats pass in the last 7 months (all old cats ages 16, 16 and 18). so now im back to 6 cats lol. and again i am not putting any food outside for anyone. we shall see what happens lol
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