We were up early today to see the babies. They had slept a lot after yesterday, and it was lovely to see them resting together.

It would have been nice to let the morning carry on like that. But we couldn't keep them at our rental. Our landlord's concern about allergies is real, and we respect it. We needed to get their things and take them somewhere they could stay.

So our second day with these kittens began with a little shopping trip, two babies in a backpack and quite a lot on our minds. We're figuring this out together, as a couple.

So many cats, just outside

Right outside our house, in the same place we'd found them yesterday, there were so many more cats and kittens.

The others looked older than our two, but several still looked like they were having a hard time. There was a mother cat who looked painfully thin. Seeing her there was difficult. We wanted to help her too, but we don't yet have the space or resources to look after her and these babies at the same time.

That is one of the reasons we want this project to grow. We can see the need just outside our door.

We looked for our kittens' mum again. We called to the cats and showed them the babies, hoping it might help us work out where she was. None seemed interested, but that doesn't tell us which cat is their mother. We still haven't found her.

We never wanted to take them away from their mum. We brought them inside because she was nowhere to be seen when they were cold and meowing.

Two kittens in a backpack

We took the kittens with us in a backpack. Ayan wore it on his front as we walked together to the nearest pet shop, Korca Pet Shop, listed on the map as Pet Shop Korça.

A tabby kitten resting with its eyes closed inside a backpack.
A quiet moment in the backpack, 10 October.

At the shop, we explained what we were looking for and told the man working there that we actually had the kittens with us. We told him how we'd found them and what had happened since.

He listened. He cared about their story and took the time to give us as much advice as he could.

Our first supporter, from the heart

He gave us two packets of kitten food and gave both kittens worm medicine. He explained that worms could be one reason for their swollen bellies, and kindly gave us two extra treatments intended for next month.

The shop worker giving one of our kittens worm medicine at the counter.
A little help at Korca Pet Shop, 10 October.

We still need a vet to assess the kittens and check the medicine, dose and timing before any further treatment. Their swollen bellies haven't been diagnosed.

What stayed with us was his kindness. We had gone in to buy what the kittens needed, and he helped us from the heart.

Korca Pet Shop became our first supporter today. We want to remember that as Happy Cats, Happy Life grows. Thank you to the man who listened to our story, shared what he knew and helped two little kittens.

A tabby kitten peeking over the edge of a grey backpack.
A little visitor at Korca Pet Shop, 10 October.
Both tabby kittens resting together in the front-worn backpack inside Korca Pet Shop.
Both babies together at the shop, 10 October.
Google Maps showing Pet Shop Korça in Korçë, Albania.
Pet Shop Korça, where we met our first supporter. Map: Google Maps.

A sweater, a cushion and two boxes

We bought a tin of food for young kittens and kitten milk formula, then stopped at the market to pick up cat litter.

Eventually we'd like to explore a more natural, plant-based litter. For now, we're getting the basics together and learning what works for these two. Their age and feeding needs are also things we need the vet's help with.

Then we went to the grandparents' home.

We gave the kittens some of their formula and made them a bed. We used a cardboard box, a fluffy winter sweater and a cushion from a chair. A few things from around the house became a little place for them to settle.

Two tabby kittens on a fluffy cream sweater inside a cardboard box.
A box, a winter sweater and a chair cushion made their little bed, 10 October.

We fed them the kitten food the man at the pet shop had given us, then made a litter tray from another box.

And both of them used it. They went to the bathroom and buried their waste all by themselves. That little moment made us smile. With so much still to figure out, it was lovely to watch them manage that on their own.

Two tabby kittens eating together from a red dish.
Sharing the kitten food given to us at the pet shop, 10 October.

We still have a worry in our hearts

There are sweet moments with these babies, but we are worried about their temporary home.

Several dogs live in the household, and they sometimes slip through doors as everyone goes about their day. We've asked the family to be cautious, but we still need a way of keeping the dogs completely away from the kittens that everyone can rely on.

We're grateful to the grandparents for making room for them when we needed somewhere to go. They are helping because we asked. Their home has its own daily life, and we can't expect it to become our rescue space.

The kittens need a place where their care and safety don't depend on everyone remembering an extra warning each time they open a door.

We're looking for our own place

We're looking for a place and preparing a plan to get the cat café running as soon as possible. Today has made that feel even more urgent.

We want somewhere these kittens can be protected, treated and loved, and where we can gradually help more cats without taking on more than we can care for.

Our idea is a rescue cat café here in Korçë: cats at the front with visitors, coffee and drinks made behind the counter, and perhaps cakes from a local bakery.

People could come in, enjoy a coffee and spend time with cats who are ready and comfortable around visitors. If someone falls in love with one, we'd love to help that cat find a home that fits. We'd take time to make sure the adoption is right for the cat and the person.

We're working through what a place like that needs: a quiet space where cats can rest away from visitors, arrangements for new arrivals and treatment, and someone responsible for feeding, cleaning and care every day, including when we're away.

We also need to check with the authorities what separation is needed and whether food and drinks can be served or enjoyed in the cat area.

There's a space to find, rent and basic improvements to price, and a budget to put together. We haven't secured a place or set an opening date yet. We're willing to put our own money into this alongside support.

We'll keep looking and share the steps as they happen. These two kittens are already here, and their care comes first while we get the café ready.

Thank you for being here

Today brought us kindness at the pet shop, a little box bed and two kittens who knew what to do with their litter tray.

If you can, support Happy Cats, Happy Life on Ko-fi. Support is intended for cat care and getting a café space ready, including rent and modest improvements. We'll share the costs as we confirm them, with care and café setup listed separately.

Following along and sharing our story help too. Thank you for caring about these babies with us.

With love from both of us.

Ayan, writing for us both.

Thanks for reading. We'll keep you posted.