When Morgan and her partner Aaron arrived at the SPCA Yarmouth Shelter on August 25th last year, they never thought they would be leaving with three adorable kittens!
They had originally planned on adopting one kitten as company for their rescue cat Gus. When Morgan saw Bubble’s little face on the SPCA website with her paw reaching out, it was love at first sight and she knew that Bubbles was the one. Then as they continued to scroll through adoption photos, they saw an identical white cat and found out that Bubbles had a twin sister – Blossom. They decided then and there to adopt both of them.
The couple drove four hours from New Glasgow to Yarmouth, excited to meet the two kittens who would become their fur-babies. Morgan recalled “Upon arrival, we discovered that there was a THIRD litter mate – Buttercup. All three kittens were loving and friendly. They climbed on our shoulders for a better view of things. And they gave us their best ‘take me home’ sales pitch with sweet little purrs. We knew right away without any words being spoken that we wouldn’t be separating them. We simply couldn’t leave one behind.” 
The three Powerpuff Girls adapted easily to their new home. “As soon as they arrived, they ran around and chased each other,” said Morgan. “They did zoomies the entire night, making up for the time they spent vegging at the SPCA! We laid and listened to three sets of tiny paws playing non-stop in their new home. It was a great feeling of fulfillment and content knowing that the three of them would be together for the rest of their lives.”
The couple’s rescue cat Gus was a bit standoffish at first, hissing and setting boundaries. Aaron chuckled “Gus was gentle though, as he knew they were small. It’s been a year since we got the kittens and they’re finally getting big enough that they can hold their own when playing with Gus.”
The couple decided to give the kittens new names for their new life – Blossom is now Daisy, Bubbles is Sophie and Buttercup is Mittens. But the kittens do resemble their namesake trio because they never go anywhere without each other. Morgan laughed “They always travel as a group around the house like a pack of mini lions.”
These days, the kittens like to spend time outside watching birds and squirrels in the beautiful outdoor cat run/catio that Aaron built. They love swatting and chasing small paper balls around the house more than their catnip toys, fake mice or strings.
The kittens’ journey started long before they found their loving home. They were part of the Prevent Unplanned Pregnancies (PUP) program at the NS SPCA. The program is designed to prevent accidental litters by offering free spay surgeries for momma cats and dogs, while also ensuring that their kittens and puppies receive veterinary care and find new loving homes. It’s still kitten season and if people find themselves with too many tiny paws and don’t know what to do, they can contact the SPCA for help. 
August 25th was the one-year anniversary of the kittens’ ‘Gotcha Day.’ “To celebrate the occasion, we bought them all new catnip toys (even though they prefer paper balls!) and treated them to a nice tuna supper with some extra love,” said Aaron.
The trio of little paws has definitely enriched the couple’s lives. “They have brought so much joy and companionship to us. They give us a ton of love. When we come home, we are filled with happiness to see their little faces looking out the window, just as excited to see us as we are to see them.”
Morgan’s advice for prospective pet parents? Be prepared. “We did a number of things prior to adopting the kittens. We bought extra cat dishes and toys, made sure there were no flowers or plants in the house that are toxic to cats like lilies and tulips, and moved all the other plants and breakable things to a spot where they wouldn’t be knocked over (they still were!). We also told Gus that he was getting sisters.”
Morgan’s wise counsel for people adopting more than one pet at a time? Be patient. “It’s a long-term commitment, one that requires a bit more effort, unconditional love and a little humor to get through any challenging moments. Food goes faster, litter boxes need to be changed more often, and mealtimes need to be supervised since one kitty may try to eat their sibling’s favorite food.”
But the reward? “The love we get in return is priceless. It’s worth everything!”
The couple also has a special plea for people thinking of adopting a cat or kitten with a litter mate. “Please consider adopting them both! Oftentimes, people will only adopt one of the cats. It breaks our hearts thinking about the litter mates getting separated. They spend the first few months of their lives in a small enclosure after being rescued and all they know and have is each other. It’s very sad to think about being the last kitty left behind wondering where your brothers and sisters went. Consider keeping them together! I know that keeping our girls together has enhanced their quality of life just as much as it has enhanced ours.”
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The kittens’ story reminds us that every pet deserves a loving home – and every pet parent deserves the resources to help them succeed. Thanks to the NS SPCA shelters, Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, and many initiatives like the PUP program, more animals like the kittens can find their happily-ever-after. You can also help. Please donate today.
