Ingenious “Kitten Bjorn” Helps Shelters Socialize Feral Kittens

By: Dina Fantegrossi
Dina Fantegrossi is the Assistant Editor and Head Writer for HomeLife Media. Before her career in writing, Dina was a veterinary technician for more than 15 years.Read more
| May 18, 2017

Get ’em while they’re young! That’s the key to transforming hissing, frightened feral kittens into snuggly, spoiled house cats.

Thanks to a savvy seamstress, the Animal Rescue League of Boston now has the perfect tool to help them socialize their young feral rescues while still performing the necessary tasks of their hectic jobs. Introducing: the Kitty Bjorn!

The shelter posted a photo of one of their technicians modeling the device to their Facebook page this past Friday. Ever since, local sewing enthusiasts have offered to create more of the ingenious garments to donate to the cause.

Toting the kitties about in the mesh pouches allows them to acclimate to the sights, sounds, smells and sensations of life with humans. This way the young’uns can gradually prepare for adoption into loving homes with less stress!

As an added bonus, the staff are able to keep their hands free and go about their busy day while the kittens simply tag along for the ride.

According to a comment from the Boston ARL:

“A talented lady crafted these for us without a pattern. Each one is slightly different; some are aprons, some are slip-on vests. They just need to have a large mesh “pouch” in the front to be able to insert the kittens.”

A post shared by Morgan King (@momomuscles) on May 20, 2016 at 4:42pm PDT

Followers of the Facebook page have offered ideas and links to help sewers modify existing garments and/or create their own Kitten Bjorns from scratch. Gather Here Stitch Lounge in Cambridge even volunteered to host a sewing party to craft 10 more!

An update from ARL Boston posted on Wednesday read in part:

“For all those that have expressed interest in making these-THANK YOU! Stay tuned for another post with detailed measurements, photos, and fabrics (no pattern available unfortunately).”

Isn’t it wonderful to see a community banding together to help ensure a brighter future for their feral kitten population? Nice work, Boston!

 

H/T to People

Featured Image via Animal Rescue League of Boston