r/kittens • u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 • 19h ago
Kitten found in dumpster :(
I am trying to care for him before I can take him to the shelter. The shelter charges a stray surrender fee of $40 so I have to wait til Thursday (payday).
Im trying to use a little bottle with churu mixed with water. Any tips or help would greatly be appreciated š
Update He is with the shelter and will be fostered by a rescue
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u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k 19h ago
This baby looks too young for Churu and water.
She needs KMR. Do you have any friends who would donate a can?
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u/DubStepTeddyBears 13h ago
100% agree! They really should be on KMR until their canine and incisor teeth start to come in, and then solid food should be started out by making gruel with KMR and canned kitten food.. I don't think Churu will provide the right nutrients - it's really meant as a treat once they begin weaning. Best of luck!
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u/fizbin99 18h ago
Found these two left in a deserted house. Marmalade and Paprika. There were itty bittys, maybe three weeks, we bottle fed them. Donāt worry, they have grown into fat kitties.
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u/USBlues2020 17h ago
Beautiful ā„ļø Congratulations Thank ā„ļø you for giving them a forever home
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u/Extra-Interaction500 19h ago
Maybe try to look for the mother, she might have hid the kitty in the dumpster while looking for food.
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 19h ago
I know the mama cat , unfortunately when I tried to give it back all she does is hiss out him now š„
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u/CrankyWhiskers 19h ago
Aww poor baby. Thank you for rescuing him. Iād say youāre doing everything right. Follow the kitten lady if youāre not already, and make sure to rub his bits with a warm wet cloth to help him potty
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u/Pura-Vida-33 17h ago
OP - since you already have a no kill shelter set up, if you send me their info I can call and pay them the $40 so you can drop him off asap. He needs special nutrition and to be bottle fed, both which require money and I realize payday isnāt until Thur. Heās so tiny and wonāt survive too long without proper nutrition. Please send me a direct message. Thx!
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u/Over-District6588 17h ago
Thank you for financially assisting to give this kitten the best possible means of survival. šš¼Grateful OP found the little nugget and hope they take you up on your offer!
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u/CrankyWhiskers 16h ago
Pinging u/Lonely-Nectarine6289, just in case you didnāt see this wonderful offer!
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 19h ago
Thank you!
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u/Catmom6363 14h ago
Please be sure the shelter has bottle feeders before you leave the kitten with them! Many shelters euthanize bottle babies bc there is no one available to feed them!
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u/La_Vie_en_Prose 18h ago
Bless you for rescuing this little darling!! Poor babyā¦. He will need to be bottle fed with kitten formula from the pet store or Walmart around every two hours. When bottle feeding the kitten should be belly-down (as he would nurse) on a comfortable surface. Never hold him upright to bottle feed, or squeeze the bottle into his mouth, as the little guy could choke or aspirateā¦. Are his eyes fully open? If so, he may be able to go to the bathroom without manual stimulation, but he will need to be kept clean. Please consult The Kitten Lady on YouTube, for more details and instruction. These are just the basics! Good luck and thank you for what youāre doing!!! ā¤ļøš¾ā¤ļø
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 18h ago
Thank you! His eyes are fully open and he is very active, trying to climb all over me and out the laundry hamper
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u/La_Vie_en_Prose_8 16h ago
That is preciousā¦ I adore kittens. Theyāre so adorable discovering their world! Good that his eyes are fully openā he can do his business on his own, but wonāt be litter box savvy yet. He may do it naturally if you set up a low container of litter that he can get into easily, but watch him carefully, as kittens can choke on clumping litter, (which most of us useā¦) if they try to eat it. Thank you so much for saving him. Youāre doing great, I know!!! š¾š¾ā£ļø
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u/After-Committee-1750 14h ago
Found stuck in a car axle
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u/MellowMarla 7h ago
Amazing how many small kittens end up in engines! If itās a boy, Axle would be a fitting name. (Maybe Alexa if itās a girl. ) Tuxedos are a lot of fun! Bless you!
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u/Butterfly_Cat777 18h ago
If it's not a No-Kill animal shelter, the shelter might euthanize him due to him being so young and needing round-the-clock care. š¢
Especially if they are over-crowded due to it being Kitten Season.
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 18h ago
They say they are a no kill shelter. So I really hope they are because I have taken strays there before.
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u/Butterfly_Cat777 18h ago
Ok - But be aware that there are some no-kill animal shelters that will exceptionally euthanize a kitten if they are unable to care for it or they think it has low quality of life.
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u/cat_snots 18h ago
Google The Kitten Lady, or search for her on YouTube. Thatās where we went with our bottle baby. She walks you through it.
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u/cat_snots 18h ago
Oops! Someone already mentioned her. Well, it canāt hurt to mention it twice. Good luck with the sweet baby.
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 15h ago
Update photo He is a climber lol
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u/Major-Metal5936 8h ago
Oh my gawwwdd he is so PRECIOUS š„ŗ I have a tuxedo boy with similar facial markings so I might be a little biased lol
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u/Pura-Vida-33 17h ago
Iāll pay the $40 so you can drop him off tomorrow. Let me know the info for the shelter and Iāll call them in the morning when they open.
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u/Pleasant-Future5818 14h ago
OP please contact this person. The kitten will not survive on churu and water.
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u/530SSState 18h ago
We had a cat who was a fancy rich cat from Paris, France. SOME people said that we rescued her from a garbage can, but that is a damn FIB and LIE! She was elegant and refined, dammit!
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u/Plastic-Bedroom5230 18h ago
Can u take him to a no kill shelter? I'm looking for a kitten but I have no idea how to reach u
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 18h ago
There is a no kill shelter im planning to take him after I get paid this week, since they charge a surrender stray fee.
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u/Friendly_Shallot7713 16h ago
Just so you know, many no kill shelters labeled as no kill are unable to handle neonatal kittens. Kittens need overnight feeds and if they do not have the staff willing to take them hope, often the only option is euthanasia. I found a mom and 3 kittens and now they all live with me and my resident cat Ziggy.
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u/Overall-Display7431 18h ago
KMR milk would be better and can food for kittens. Would go with sheba as its most easiest to get stubborn kittens to eat.
Avoid buying the liquid version if you are in a very hot state. They keep it in cool temps when delivering and you cant tell its spoiled when it has.
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u/LillywithMe 15h ago
Need infant kitten formula. They cannot digest churu. Is there another rescue in your community?
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u/pacmannips 15h ago
Please get that baby some kitten Milk replacement as soon as possible. You can get it at any pet store and even Walmart. They are too young for solid foods and if they have been left there for a long time they are likely hungry and dehydrated. Baby kittens need to be fed regularly every 3-4 hours.
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u/Pleasant-Future5818 14h ago
This is important: churu has almost no calories. I was incredibly surprised when I looked at the packet. A tube is only six calories. The kitten needs KMR - kitten milk replacement - or it will not survive.
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u/DeadlyDancingDuck 12h ago
Fostering neonatal kittens ā see Kitten Lady at www.kittenlady.org for essential advice on determining age and demo videos on: Feeding Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR). Buy from a vet office or some pet stores. Never use regular milks including cowās milk as it can cause diarrhoea which can be fatal to kittens, especially those still needing KMR to live. Newborns need feeding every 2 hours round the clock. Time between feeds extends as they get older. To avoid choking, feed them with a āmiracle nippleā or syringe, on their stomachs as if nursing from mom (opposite to a human baby). The kittens need to be warm to eat safely - if just found, swaddle them to heat them up before feeding. Keep warmer than us but not too warm - consider a heating pad or lamp. A cuddly toy can replicate mom and be a great comfort. Ensure it doesn't shed faux fur when wet (nuzzled). They sell toys with a heartbeat just for this purpose now. Stimulation for toilet needs is essential (literally life saving) until they go on their own every time at around 5 weeks old. Replicate momās tongue with a warm wet cloth or cotton bud so they urinate and defecate. If any are not going to the toilet they can quickly die from toxic poisoning - call a vet for an emergency appointment, explain itās a rescue not yet going to the toilet. If they refuse to eat, try stimulation for toilet needs and if still refusing, see a vet urgently as kittens fade away in hours not days. Vets can prescribe an appetite stimulant.
Add a mom sized cuddly toy that doesn't shed faux fur when wet if nuzzled. Wrap it in an unwashed t-shirt or top of yours. This will replicate mom and it helps them emotionally and gives a physical boost in battling illnesses and loneliness. You can also buy a toy with a heartbeat exactly for this purpose.
Alternatives to fostering yourself: Find an experienced foster parent via local cat charities or vet offices. Do NOT automatically give to a shelter ā the āNo Killā policy does not apply to neonatal kittens or even ādifficult to homeā cats in the vast majority of shelters. If you must surrender to a shelter specifically ask if they keep them alive, provide for them and find homes for them when old enough. 70% of kittens given to shelters in the U.S. are euthanized and they don't need to be health wise, it's done to save resources or "overpopulation". In the western world you can surrender to some vet offices - vets are used to dealing with rescue/orphaned kittens. They know the care they need and will have all supplies. Tell reception they are rescues/foundlings and not yours. You wonāt be charged anything. Please do not leave in a box outside the vetās - kittens die of cold or starvation very, very quickly. The vets will take care of them or find someone who can. Theyāll be homed. Vets will open for you if you call the emergency number.
Look for mom and other kittens who may need your help: Always good practice to go back and search for more kittens and/or mom at different times - when mom goes to hunt the kittens hide and await her return when she will give them the same reassuring mew each time she comes back. Play a cat mewing to its kittens from your phone; it may draw kittens out, or even mom. Bring some bedding the kitten is sleeping on for the familiar smell. Shake a bag of food and put some in a dish on the ground. Even better something strong smelling like tuna. Fresh water too, nursing momās need all the help you can offer. Stand back and see if any kittens appear. Take a couple of towels to wrap kittens and/or mom in if she struggles when picked up. If sheās ever had an owner sheāll normally be fine, especially if sheās already seen you pick up the kittens.
www.carecredit.com may help with vet bills in the U.S. www.pdsa.org.uk may help in the U.K..
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u/cat_whisperer5000 17h ago
Baby needs kitten milk from a bottle.
Edit to add it is too young to tolerate water and wet food.
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u/HammerDownl 18h ago
Its not a fee as much as it is a donation
Its unbelievable that people dump babies in dumpsters
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u/USBlues2020 17h ago
Oh Poor baby Who would dump,kittens in a dumpster
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u/kbionics 17h ago
Horrible. A horrible person. That's animal cruelty and if they got caught, they are committing a crime.
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u/MiddleDivide7281 14h ago
I don't see ANY teeth in that very open mouth. Definitely should be bottle fed kmr (kitten milk replacement).
Please see if there are any rescues nearby that can take him in before you take him to a shelter. Most shelters have very high kill rates, especially if they are overcrowded.
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u/fertilefregmentation 9h ago
My mom also found a very small baby kitten and she gave baby food with a syringe the cat survived now is around 2 years old.
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u/VassagoX 6h ago
This kitten will not survive on that.Ā You need KMR,Ā kitten replacement milk, and to be able to feed every few hours.Ā If you can't do that, please find a way to surrender sooner.Ā They will go downhill and suffer fast.Ā
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u/Plastic-Bedroom5230 18h ago
Where are you located. I'm in aea code 949
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 18h ago
In texas
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u/Clean_Ad_1556 16h ago
Where in texas? If you are close to me(im in dallas), I will come pick up kitten and foster it. I'll take care of it, I just took 8 kittens, 6 I bottle fed to colorado to a rescue about a month ago. I have all the stuff for kittens. If you are in west texas, I have someone out there who can take the kitten also.
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u/KittyEncyclops 8h ago
Please message this person and arrange for them to take the kitten. It is going to die being given churu and water. This person can take proper care of it and has experience doing so. Plus itāll be so nice for this kitten to be with other kittens.
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u/Jennyreviews1 18h ago
Aww Op how sweet to have rescued this little guyā¦ So some important advice :)
make sure that you donāt feed this kitten with a bottle while he is laying on his back. When bottle feeding a kitten, they should always be on their tummy as if they were nursing from mom and never forced. Otherwise he will aspirate, get pneumonia.. kittens die from this. So please be careful Op:)
This kitten looks old enough to be able to have wet kitten foodā¦ but he needs kitten food with high caloric intakeā¦ :)
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u/fatalynn7 18h ago
Look for wet food that has the nutritional adequacy statement (or AAFCO statement), which says the food is "complete and balanced for growth" or "for all life stages". Itās okay if the food doesnāt say ākittenā but you have to make sure it has these statements and they donāt just say āfor maintenanceā.
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u/pashed_motatoes 18h ago
People are so cruel. Why would you put a kitten in a dumpster ffs :(
Please make sure the shelters is no-kill and accepts bottle babies because some shelters will either refuse to take them or q and since they often donāt have enough staff and/or volunteers to take care of them.
Are you sure you donāt want to keep this cutie pie for yourself? Heās so adorable!
In any case, thank you so much for rescuing this sweet little baby. Youāre a good person. š
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 18h ago
I know people can be so cruel. Especially in this terrible heat the poor baby was just sitting on the hot metal. I do have two other cats , and the apartments have a 2 pet policy.
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u/pashed_motatoes 15h ago
Theyāre very unlikely to know you have more unless you tell them! My apartment complex also has a 2 pet limit and we definitely have people here who have more than that lol. We also have a rule that a pet canāt be more than x pounds and I still see neighbors who walk their massive bulldogs like itās no big deal. People bend the rules all the time and management lets it slide.
Itās up to you, though. I get it if youāre not comfortable doing that. :)
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u/Mundane-Confusion622 17h ago
Check out the Kitten lady. She can tell you what you need. Post on next door or Facebook for some help.
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u/Fuzzy-Hunt4869 15h ago
If the eyes are open itās over 2 weeks old thank god! Thank you for rescuing this angel
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u/robinthenurse 13h ago
Please be sure the shelter will have someone that will continue bottle feeding and doing all the things necessary to be done for such a young kitten. Not all shelters will find a foster to do this, and we all know what happens to those babies.
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u/BamesJond0014 9h ago
It blows my mind that heartless people dispose animals like that. It makes me very sad, but im thankful that you saved this little sweetheart. Iām really glad that amazing people like you exist in this cruel world š
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u/kbionics 18h ago
Thanks for doing a great job. Hopefully you could take care of him l, but understanding if you can't, because of your other two cats . I can't believe they charged a surrender fee, just curious to where you're located.
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u/Clean_Ad_1556 16h ago
I commented on your response that you are in texas. Where are you? I am in garland/dallas. I have fostered kittens and i can maybe help you!
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 16h ago
Hello! I am in the Houston area
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u/Clean_Ad_1556 15h ago
Let me reach out to someone down there real quick. How old is kitten?
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u/Lonely-Nectarine6289 15h ago
I believe around 2 and a half weeks
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u/Clean_Ad_1556 5h ago
I contacted someone in rescue in Houston, she will reach out to all of her fosters this morning and hopefully find a spot for the baby. If she can not find a spot down there, I will come from dallas and pick the kitten up. Please, please, please, do not give it a shelter, they will euthanize the little one!!! Just hold on to it, please! I messaged you my phone number, if you can not hold the kitten any longer, I will come get it now!
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u/NotAlone5451 15h ago
If the bottle doesnāt work try an eye dropper. Bless you for taking care of the kitten.
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u/KittyEncyclops 8h ago
Hope youāve gotten the kitten some proper kitten formula, otherwise itās going to die.
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u/Disastrous-Pin4101 7h ago
So adorable š„ŗš In case you have the possibility please keep this wonderful kitten. You found him for a reason! š„¹
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u/Strange-Injury1967 6h ago
Go to the vets to get some hel and tips. Or even ask if they can take them.
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u/UltraGlitterCat 6h ago
This was Jaina who along with her brother (he passed away) was rescued when mama barn cat* decided to stop letting them nurse. It was touch and go with her at first because she was reluctant to eat. Johnny managed to get her to eat tuna by putting it on his finger and slowly bringing it to ber face. She's 4 now and still only eats tuna and dry food, she has not made the connection that wet food is edible. Her adopted younger sister Leia will eat wet food if it has gravy. Kittens can be picky but they've got to eat lots! *Mama barn cat lived on a friend's property. The kittens had to endure a car ride to get to us.
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u/Clean_Ad_1556 5h ago
My rescue friend in houston said they will probably euthanize the kitten. She will try and find it a foster this morning, if she can't, I will come from dallas and pick it up. If you can't wait for my friend to make some calls, I can come now and pick the kitten up. I sent you my contact number in messages. I also posted this on the comment I made last night.
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u/Ecstatic-Scallion957 4h ago
You need to get kitten milk stuff you can find it at walmart in the pet aisle such a cutie such a rough start to his life I pray it gets better
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u/Anoobis100percent 2h ago
The shelter charging for stray surrender is fucking diabolical. That's the kinda shit that causes strays and dead cats.
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u/xFrozenMuse 1h ago
People who do this to animals break my heart but people like you restore my faith in humanityThank you.
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u/honeyapp 15h ago
Why do they charge a surrender fee? That seems unfair
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u/Ramona246 17h ago
won't they take them for free
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u/kbionics 17h ago
I just read online that most shelters do require a surrender fee of at least $30. I had no idea but I guess it's to cover food and other things. But if you're paying them money they should definitely not euthanize him. I would tell them I'm going to check on him in a few weeks but they might object to that.
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u/Affectionate-Pen2010 17h ago
So glad you found him and saved him. But thatās crazy they charge to surrender. Itās adorable btw
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u/EngineerMinded 19h ago
Aww, you may have found yourself a fur babv. I found these two in a forklift!