It's the spice kittens! Thousands follow antics of Basil, Mace, Sage and Pepper online after owner installs webcam in their play area

-Cute foursome attracts more than 18,000 followers on live events website Livestream
-Kittens beamed live across the globe since they were born on October 5

By Olly Wright


A litter of picture purr-fect eight-week-old kittens have become an internet hit after their foster parent installed a webcam to capture their adorable antics around the clock.

Nicknamed the Spice Kittens, Basil, Mace, Sage and Pepper have attracted more than 18,000 followers on live events website Livestream from their home in America.

The 24/7 recording of the four internet starlets was launched by foster dad John Bartlett after they were born to to a stray named Rosemary on October 5.

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The Spice Kittens: Left to right - Mace, Pepper, Sage and Basil. The litter of eight week old kittens are reaching internet stardom, after their foster parent installed a live webcam in their playpen to capture their antics

The adorable antics of the cute quartet have attracted more than 18,000 followers on live events website
Livestream. John Bartlett (above) set up the stream in October 2011 and has featured all his foster cats since

At any given time during peak hours, there can be between 4,000 and 7,000 viewers tuning in to see what the fab foursome are up to.

The website is so popular it has also spawned a Facebook group called Friends of the Kitten Cam.

A mother's love: The kittens were born to a stray named Rosemary on October 5, and all five cats have been looked after since by foster dad John Bartlett, who has recorded every moment of the kittens time in his care

Family time: The adorable newborns cosey up to their mother live on the internet in front of thousands

Sage (left) and Pepper (right), the only girl in the litter, have attracted more than 18,000 online followers

Among the special moments captured on camera, John has recorded numerous play-fights and a failed attempt to escape.

He said: 'Originally, the Kitten Cam was just so that I could keep an eye on the kittens and see how they're behaving without a human in the room.

'But then I got to thinking that why not make the Kitten Cam available for anyone to watch at any time?'

'The first incarnation of the Kitten Cam came online October 2011 on Livestream's original service using a free account,' said John.

VIDEO: Kitten 'paralysed' with joy during belly rub - Scroll down for more video


'Limited to the lowest quality and having ad overlays, the viewer count never grew very high and frequently was in the single digits.

'When Livestream announced their new service with HD video and no ads, I was one of the first to jump over to that ship.

'The viewer count has steadily climbed ever since, with the occasional spike when it hits a high visibility website such as ICanHasCheezburger.'

Relaxed: Mace lies back and waits for a tummy rub as hundreds tune in to watch around the world

Kitten Cam: Viewers have been able to watch the fab-foursome around the clock since their birth

Feeding time: The Spice Kittens jostle for position as proud mother Rosemary stares out at the world

At any given time during peak hours, there can be between 4,000 and 7,000 viewers John has heard from his audience that the kittens' cute and playful behaviour has been both a benefit and a distraction.

He said: 'I've been told by many viewers that the Kitten Cam has helped them through tough points in their life, such as a pet or family member passing.

'On the flip side, I've also been told by many viewers that they've had a hard time studying for tests, falling behind on their TV shows, and staying up way too late, because the kittens are playing.'

John Bartlett started Kitten Cam kin order to keep an eye on the kittens and see how they're behaving without a human in the room

Bonding: Just a few weeks old the Spice Kittens put aside sibling rivalries and enjoy a group hug

Kitten Cam has attracted followers from across the globe, including the UK, America and France, and has received scores of comments.

Madi Gilbert Mantell said: 'They are so cute exercising! Thank you, John for all of your hard work....it shows.'

Foster parent: John Bartlett gets to grips with a previous litter to have featured on Kitten Cam

Catnap: John Bartlett takes a well earned break in the Kitten Cam playpen from caring for his feline charges

Nancy Elizabeth Dean wrote: 'I have been loving being able to watch them, John! Thank you so much for everything you do for the mamas and babies that you rescue!'

Nicole Naschkätzchen commented : 'Awwwwww I just saw you playing with them! THANK YOU for taking such good care of them. Awww how loving!'

Close up: A former star of Kitten Cam investigates the camera responsible fore making him an internet star



source:dailymail