The kitten pictured at left has just arrived at its forever home. Windwalker kittens, neutered, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, are placed in homes to heal broken hearts of those whose older cat passed on, and to bring love and laughter every day to their new families.

We raise kittens with three guiding principles: socialization, early handling and environmental enrichment. Our kittens are loved and handled from the day they are born.

The kitten at right has just had breakfast and is being weighed.

Every kitten is weighed twice a day the first weeks so we know the mother is producing enough milk and all the kittens are gaining weight.

When their eyes open we trim nails, as competition at the milk bar can be fierce!

Kittens stay with their mom and littermates until they're vaccinated. Then they run around our house, which is a playground of toys and climbing places. Kittens are very groundbound at first. Then they start climbing onto small cat trees. Once they make it to the top of the cat trees, we put pillows around the base while they develop their leaping and climbing skills.

When you take one of our kittens, our understanding is that it will be with you for life. If things change and you can't keep your cat, let us know. We will always take him or her back.

A couple of years ago, the Whole Cat Journal had an excellent article about The Stages of Kittenhood. The week most of interest to you is the week you may come visit or select your kitten. Here is the article text:

"For some reason, most kittens seem to undergo a personality change at 11 through 12 weeks and become shy and antisocial, no matter how friendly they were previously. Those that were playful and affectionate suddenly don't want to be picked up and prefer their littermates to their human companions. Half playfully, they may run away and hide, seemingly inviting chase. To chase and attempt to catch the kitten however is a mistake. Instead, it should be picked up as often as possible when available, then put down and handled again later.

Unfortunately, this shy stage at 11 or 12 weeks coincides with the time many kittens go to their new homes. How can a new owner win the confidence of a kitten that is going through its timid period? The quickest way is to sleep with it. Even if they initially hide under the bed, after a night or two, they will climb up and snuggle.

Kittens that struggle against being held may be given a spinal massage: stretch the kitten full length along your lower arm with legs dangling and tail extended. (If the tail curls under pull it out and straighten it.) Then stroke the kitten along its spine from head to tail, lightly increasing hand pressure towards the tail. This has a very relaxing effect. Continue until the kitten purrs. Some will resist this at first, but if the stroking continues, almost all will eventually relax and purr. Once they purr, resistance is gone and he will be easy to pick up and will enjoy being held."