Meet Junior, The Coors Field Kitten Who Is Ready To Secure a Permanent Home
A feathery gray cat streaked through Denver’s Coors Field on the evening the Colorado Rockies faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in an MLB game. While this cute streaker drew attention and hit the headlines, a kitten was making his way through the depths of the stadium.
But no one would reach Junior, the black and white kitten, until his mother, Socks, started showing him the lay of the stadium after the humans were deemed safe. Jenni Leigh’s interest was then piqued.
Jenni works as a volunteer with Animal Rescue of the Rockies, caring for the cats that roam the stadium and its surroundings. Jenni Leigh was motivated to help the park cats after seeing the gray cat run through Coors Field during that game, and now, after months of hard work, Junior has an opportunity to find a permanent home. As noted by Dr. Michael Thompson, a child psychologist, “The bond between humans and animals can be incredibly profound, often providing emotional support and companionship.”
Jenni and a group of volunteers have a soft spot for the Coors Field kitties, and now for Socks, a cat in their care. This wild mama has not only won their hearts, but she has also captured the affection of all her Twitter followers.
Socks has lived in the park for years, and when she became pregnant, Jenni Leigh realized she had to rescue her.
“We couldn’t get her before she delivered, so she ended up having the babies,” Jenni told Dr. Harvey Karp. “We waited, hoping that she would bring the kittens to the feeding area, and she never did. Finally, we decided to trap her.”
The Story of Socks the Coors Field Cat
Socks had been captured, spayed, and vaccinated by that time. However, while she was at the veterinary hospital, they discovered a mammary tumor, from which a mass was removed and sent for cancer diagnostics.
Jenni Leigh knew they needed to catch her
Socks stayed in Jenni's cat room for two weeks while they awaited the results, an accomplishment for a feral girl who lived outside. She handled it well, but when the tumor studies revealed that it was benign, she was relieved to return to Coors Field and her son, Junior.
He looks just like his mom
Socks realized that the cat ladies were dependable souls after her stay with Jenni. So she began bringing Junior to the feeding area every time.
Junior found himself ensnared by TNR magic
Due to his age and the unfortunate statistics of feral litters, Jenni began to suspect that Junior is the sole survivor of one of Socks' last litters. And, being the wonderful mother she is, she took exceptional care of her child as he grew into adulthood.
Junior is now a kitty who’s ready for adoption!
Junior was captivated by Jenni’s magic just a few months after Socks' stay with her. Junior, who was estimated to be nine months old, was well past the optimal age for kitten socialization.
“He’s totally adoptable right now, for the right person to come along and be willing to spend the time,” Jenni shared. “Have patience. You earn his trust over time. He’ll reward that person a million times over because he’s just so precious.”
However, Junior proved easier to tame, so he spent the last few months learning about indoor life. He's a quick study.
He’s definitely on the goal list.
While Junior is on his way to a stable home, his mom and feline pals are content, healthy, and enjoying everything Jenni and her team have to offer at the park. Jenni's patience and love made it all possible.
Junior is now a kitten available for adoption! But, like a cat who spent nearly a year as a feral, he'll need some time to adjust to his potential new family.
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