Pip and Posy is a popular children’s book and television show. In the series, the animals are best friends who love to go on adventures together.
Just like their namesakes, Pip and Posie were small kittens about to embark on a big journey. Only theirs started when a kind animal lover found them outside in a ditch.
Hoping a mama cat would return and care for the two babies, the spotter positioned security cameras towards the ditch and watched. But sadly, they were all alone.
Pip and Posie were rushed into the Colchester SPCA.
Estimated to be around 1-2 weeks old, they had just opened their eyes to the world and saw Georgia Tofflemire’s caring face. Georgia works in animal care and reception and was immediately invested in the baby kittens.
“They were covered in fleas and too young to survive on their own,” Georgia recalled. “They were extremely cold and honestly, we were not sure if they would survive the night. I had always wanted to experience fostering bottle babies, so I took them home that day.”
The first step was trying to get their body temperatures up so it would be safe to bottle feed Pip and Posie some kitten milk replacer (KMR).
“Luckily, they suckled very well and I did not have any problems with feeding them, although little Posie was always screaming for food so she always had to be fed first while Pip patiently waited,” grinned Georgia. “I had to stimulate them using a warm cloth so they could urinate and defecate. As well, since they arrived covered in fleas, I did give them a little bath in dawn dish soap and then used a hair dryer to dry them off since they were still too young to receive any other topical treatments.”
With around-the-clock care and love, the kittens began to make positive progress. But while cheering them on as they gained weight and energy, Georgia noticed Posie was developing a little differently than her sister.
“Posie was diagnosed with bowed front elbows,” explained Georgia. “Her front legs have not grown a lot and is a little bit of a munchkin kitty. Although she may be tiny, she is still a big bundle of energy, and nothing seems to bother her.”
Fostering Pip and Posie brought Georgia and her kitty, Rocky, so much happiness. So much so that she decided they were all destined to stay together.
“Once they had their vaccines and had been with me for a while, I allowed them to meet Rocky (also a foster fail haha),” Georgia shared. “Rocky jumped in and was a great big brother, he was constantly grooming them, and he would even pick them up and bring them up on the bed so they could all cuddle together. I had felt Rocky needed a friend, so I made it official and adopted Pip and Posie.”
The cuteness only continued from there.
“I allowed them to free roam my apartment and they developed little chirps to call for each other and then they’d run and chirp until they found one another,” smiled Georgia. “I realized they are most likely bonded. To this day, they still do it, and it is the most adorable thing to hear and see.”
Even though Georgia cares for shelter pets all day, sometimes she takes “work” home with her. Over the years, she has fostered 8 dogs and cats and encourages anyone interested to give fostering a try.
“The nice thing with fostering through the SPCA is that you can specify what types of animals, the ages of animals, or needs you may want to foster,” Georgia explained. “I would recommend if you’re on the fence to maybe try with an adult cat, that way there isn’t too much training involved, just to get a taste of fostering and how rewarding it is to see an animal’s progress and when they find their forever home.”
With the SPCA Foster Program, and the help of dedicated foster families, pets like Pip and Posie get to experience a beautiful beginning of a new chapter.
Happily-ever-afters aren’t just on TV and in books. By fostering, you help make them happen.