Isfahan, Fordow and Natanz were rescued from Jerusalem the same day the US conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Now, the trio of Israeli, not Persian, kittens are looking for a forever home in the Jewish state or in the US.
Shoshana, an American-Israeli immigrant, found the kittens while staying with her parents in Jerusalem. She had made the trip to escape the nightly sirens in Ramat Gan, and much of the merkaz, and to seek accommodations with a shelter.
While Shoshana was staying in Jerusalem, her cat-loving mother, Lori, was one of as many as 100,000 Israelis stuck abroad. Lori shared with The Jerusalem Post how proud she was of her daughter for making the effort to rescue kittens even while under fire.
“As I stood in Panama with 100 incredible Latina Jewish mothers, learning and growing together as leaders, my heart was with my family in Israel. Knowing that my daughter had left the Mercaz and was safe in Jerusalem, and also caring for the kittens who had taken refuge on our porch—something I usually do quietly when I’m home—was a powerful reminder: leadership shows up in many forms. Sometimes it’s in a summit room filled with vision, and sometimes it’s in the small acts of kindness that keep the world going, even when everything feels uncertain,” Lori said.
After feeding the kittens for several weeks and enjoying their playful nature, Shoshana and her family made it their personal mission to find the 3-and-a-half month old felines a home.
Looking for a home
All three boys are litter-box trained and have adjusted well to their foster placement with a dog. They can be adopted together or separately.
While based in Israel, Shoshana said she and her family would be willing to sponsor the cost for the kittens to travel to the US.
Shoshana noted that it is kitten season in Israel and that many Israelis who would have normally welcomed a feline addition to the family are no longer in a position to do so, due to the stress of the war, displacement or because they are serving in the military.
She added that adopting cats from Israel may be a way for American Jewish families to connect and support Israel during the war and that she was hopeful the diaspora would help some of Israel’s strays “live their best lives.”
With over 2 million stray cats in Israel as of 2021 (SPCA), Israel’s growing stray feline population has proven to be a difficult one to manage. Not every municipality has dedicated the funds to neuter and release programs that would help control the population, and with mounting war costs, the public sector has already experienced a number of cuts.
Shoshana noted that there was something very Jewish, if slightly comedic, about taking the name of Iranian nuclear sites, which posed a significant threat to the state of Israel and the US and giving the name to three “sweet, playful” little kittens.
While Shoshana named the kittens after a major geopolitical event, granting them such unique names is likely to help them get adopted, according to the Animal Farm Foundation. Unusual names can stick with potential adoptees, creating a lasting impression.
Shoshana concluded by stressing the importance of neuter and release programs, highlighting that both fans and haters of Israel’s cat population wanted to see their numbers reduced.
For those interested in taking home Isfahan, Fordow and or Natanz, email SaveIsraeliKittens@gmail.com