Mother and 4 kittens find refuge at Gut Aiderbichl
Evelyn Harms, 94 years old, rescued Bella the cat and her newborn babies
Evelyn Harms has been a loyal Aiderbichl resident for many years and regularly visits Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf. Animals have always been her great passion and – although she is now 94 years old – her age is in no way noticeable.
“Having joy is important, but sometimes other feelings can be just as important,” says Evelyn.
A few weeks ago, she noticed a presumably pregnant cat in her beautiful garden. Evelyn suspected that it wouldn’t be long before the kittens were born. Evelyn, who loves animals above all else, did everything she could to help the cat in need of protection. Just a short time later, Bella – as she called the cat – was standing on Evelyn’s doorstep with her four newborn kittens, begging for help. Evelyn’s own cat Lilly – a relatively new arrival from Gut Aiderbichl – was extremely jealous when she saw her rival from the window and was difficult to calm down. After all, the house and her mistress were her territory and had to be defended.
What should she do? When I asked Mr Ehrengruber at Gut Aiderbichl, he said: If the cats did not belong to the neighbouring farmer, she should immediately provide them with lots of food and affection, as they were very emaciated and half starved. Then the cats would be picked up from the estate after a few weeks.
Evelyn lovingly looked after Bella and her babies called Bo, Berti, Bienchen & Beauty: two males and two females, with food and diluted cat’s milk. She talked to them, who were still very shy but started to play around in the garden. They became more trusting. It showed once again that it is possible for animals to trust people who mean well by them. They gradually began to accept it.
Evelyn should be given plenty of food and milk several times a day. A few days later, after a little familiarisation and just before the cold weather with rain and even snowfall was announced, Evelyn lured all the kittens into the transport boxes, closed the flaps and brought them to Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf herself – as the kittens only knew her. Easier said than done.
A warm welcome awaited the cat family at Gut Aiderbichl. Dieter Ehrengruber, Dr Marianne Wondrak and animal keeper Sabine gave the new arrivals a warm welcome. Everyone was delighted with the healthy and beautiful kittens, who were immediately given prophylactic worming treatment.
Evelyn is convinced: “Anyone who loves animals and is in good health should be allowed to keep an animal at any age.” Her cat Lilly has lived with her for almost a year and the two have become inseparable. “We give each other our love – and accept it too. You just can’t let them down,” says Evelyn. A thought that is deeply rooted in Evelyn’s heart.
Thank you Evelyn Harms!
"Cats achieve effortlessly what we humans are denied: to go through life without making a noise." - Ernest Hemingway
