Dec. 29 was laundry day at Kitten Kornher Rescue along Highway 9 in downtown Boulder Creek. The Christmas storms (and tornado warning) were in the rear-view mirror, as the sun beamed a balmy 60-degree day into existence. A tiny black kitty named Boo lay next to her one-eyed sister Zoomie.
Boo was recovering from getting spayed the week before. She’d already chewed up much of her protective red clothing.
They are the only two survivors of their litter. The San Jose woman who brought them in—in June 2024—said there were five, but one died. She’d tried calling around to different facilities, but Kitten Kornher Rescue was the only one that stepped up to answer the call and agree to take three remaining babies in.
Their brother died the first night, and Boo and Zoomie were in really bad shape.
“We thought she was never going to see,” said Jeanette Kornher, the owner of Kitten Kornher Rescue, showing the photo of Boo with ulcers on both of her corneas. “But her eyes have actually healed.”
In December 2024, Zoomie had surgery to remove one of her eyes. But now, a year later, she’s doing much better. She’s very affectionate. She loves being petted and will even dart into the front area by one of the windows that looks out onto the street, when Kornher goes to check on the other rescues.
Boo’s recovery took a little longer—hence the recent surgery.
“We waited on Boo’s because she’s got some pretty big issues,” she said.
Kornher is the sort of person who is just a fountain of caring and positivity. For example, she said she was happy to learn Boo “just” has neurological and congenital issues from her serious illness as a baby. She thought it could have been worse.
Boo’s most recent vet trip cost $1,000 more than anticipated, and she’s seeking the community’s help in getting her account back up-and-running so she can help more cats.
Thankfully, in the days since she was last featured in the Press Banner newspaper, she’s become an official nonprofit and can now issue tax refunds.
Because there are always more kittens to save—and more cats to adopt out.
Due to the severity of their issues, Boo and Zoomie will likely remain residents at the shop.
However, there are plenty of other cute kitties that need a good home.
Just over three weeks ago, a smokey grey cat named Doogle arrived.
“He just wants love,” said Kornher, as Doogle nuzzled up against her. “He didn’t want to be outside in the storms.”
He needs to be fixed and microchipped. But he’s not skittish.
There’s fluffy Lucy and cute little Ethel, who enjoy prancing around in an inquisitive manner.
In a suspended cat bed above, there lay Momma Bear dozing. She’s a stray, found living nearby off of West Park Avenue.
Momma Bear got her name because she helped rear two litters of orphan cats—teaching them how to groom themselves and even how to use a litter box.
“Her babies have all been adopted out,” Kornher said. “She needs a home.”
One of these lucky kids brought up by Momma Bear is Suki.
What makes her so cool is that she’s a polydactyl, “—which means she’s got extra toes,” explained Kornher. Yep, she’s got six on her front feet and five on her back feet (cats normally have five and four).
Kornher said she wouldn’t be able to do all this impressive work if it weren’t for the help of Boulder Creek Veterinary Clinic.
And she’s also extremely thankful for the aid from the community.
A recent holiday event raised hundreds to help offset her expenses.
“Coming up this new year, I’m hoping to do a lot of fundraiser events,” she said.
But first, she has to finish her laundry, so she’s prepared for the days ahead.
After all, Boo was set to get her stitches out the next day.To inquire about making a donation or adopting a cat, contact Kitten Kornher Rescue at 831-428-4726 or email re****@*****************ue.org.
