what should I do with this poor kitty?

Question

My boyfriend works at Menards in the lumber yard and for about the past week this cat has been coming up to him meowing and rubbing against him. We figured it was homeless so last night I went out there with a kennel and we brought it home. The poor thing has definately not been taken care of! Its skin and bones except for her tummy which is full of kitties, she is definately pregnant and going to have babys any day. I gave her some food and water and she inhaled the food, barely even chewing it before swallowing and drank 2 bowls of water. She is the sweetest thing and loves being petted but shes also very scared and if a strange person comes near she growls and gets upset. I dont think she would attack anyone because she hasnt shown any signs of agression I think she is just scared and trying to scare off the new person that she thinks is a threat. I set up a bed in the basement with food and water so she could stay warm over night but my mom wont let her stay another night and I

dont want to give her to the humane society because if they think she might become agressive and might not be a good house cat they will wait untill her babies are old enough and they will put her to sleep!! I dont know what to do! also, I want to bring her to the vet tonight just for a checkup... no shots or anything, just to see how she is because she limps on one paw and her meow is hoarse like a person with a sore throat... how much would it cost for just a checkup??

the reason my mom wont let it stay is becasue shes allergic to cats and she already let me have one. Im lucky to be able to have my kitty... theres absolutely no way shes gonna let me keep this one too.

my boyfriend cant keep her because he rents a house and his landlord has a strict no pet policy and i would NEVER just put her back out on the streets im trying to think of more options

Answer 1

I am never for people trying to slip cats past landlords and in this case I would place the cat with your boyfriend - especially since he has a house and not an apartment. If the landlord is at all approachable have your boyfriend tell him and appeal to his humanity, saying the cat will only be there for three months in order to have her kittens and nurse them to an adoptable state. Even if the landlord says no it should give you a week or some time to look for other options. The ll would have to be a real dork not to give you some time to place her elsewhere and to make you have to throw her out in the cold and snow.

A vet trip is mandatory right now. An exam might run about $40 and at least get flea treatment for her, the vet can also asses the paw situation and tell you how to treat it. So many people come on here wanting to know how to get fleas off newborn kittens - duh! You treat the mother BEFORE she gives birth. Of course she should be tested for FIV and leukemia and that can run into more money. I don't know if pregnant cats can have worm medication and the vet will let you know if this is possible or needed right now.

A mother cat with kittens is not hard to have around. She takes complete care of the kittens and all she needs is the best possible food you can give her - canned meat. Quality meat like Wellness, Natural Balance, Nature's Logic and Nature's Organic if you can find it. You can order the last two from www.petfooddirect.com. Those brands are totally high quality meat to nourish her and enable her to have healthy kittens. Don't use any cheap stuff from the grocery store. The same brands have good quality dry food and that has less meat protein than the wet so be sure she gets the meat.

She can have a room of her own for herself and her kittens - she will need to come out once in a while to get a break from the kittens. She takes care of her kittens "meals", their pottying and such. All she needs is good food.

I get so damn angry at people who don't spay their cats and then throw them out to fend for themselves when they are pregnant.

Answer 2

call different vets in your town to find out the cost (I pay $35 for Pets Unlimited in San Francisco). Also, as someone suggested below, call the shelter to see if anyone lost a cat by that description.
And honestly, the shelters have evaluations of the animals they choose to keep. If the cat is protective because she's scared, but not agressive, they'll work with her. They'll help her out and when she has kittens, they and the mom will probably be fostered in a loving home. When they are old enought, they will all be adopted out.
But if you REALLY don't want that, although I think it's in their best interest, ask friends and relatives if they'll take the cat in. But its more than just taking in a cat, because both the mom and kittens will need care and attention the whole day.

Answer 3

She definitely needs a visit to the vet. Like people, female cats need prenatal checkups to ensure that the babies and the mommas-to-be are all healthy. The vet can also give you recommendations for how to care for and feed a pregnant cat.

Try suggesting a compromise to your mom: keep the cat and her kittens until the kittens are old enough to go to new homes, and find a home for the mother at the same time. By doing it yourself, you can ensure that she isn't put to sleep. Her growling is probably because she is still nervous, adjusting to a new "home," at the same time she's preparing for motherhood. If you put a lot of effort into "socializing" her (that is, spending time with her, petting her, getting her used to nice, friendly interactions with people) she will probably calm down and be a perfectly good pet for somebody. She just needs some love and some time to settle in.

Answer 4

Check ups for cat are normally between 20 - 30 pounds. the best thing you can do is get a vet in your area for when the cat has her kittens incase there is any complications, feed the cat food and warm milk on a night time. Keep her warm and comfortable. The cat has maybe been mistreated by its previous owner this is why it is scared around strangers.

Answer 5

cost of check up will vary.. we dont know what country you are in even. and often in one town different vets charge different amounts - you will have to phone around
Call the SPCA or shelter to see if anyuone reported loosing a cat matching that description... it does happen...
she should be on KITTEN FOOD ( NO MILK) and lots of water
can your boyfriend keep her at least till kittens are weaned? (7 weeks after birth)
call the SPCA first before you assume what they will do.. I worked at an SPCA and occassionally we would have a foster home look after preg moms..
donate money towards getting her spayed - this will help her get adopted after...

I personally wouldnt adopt kittens and have adopted 4 adult cats

Answer 6

what a kind person you are i really feel for you take her to a animal shelter that wont kill her, is there really no one who can take her while she is in this vulnerable state she has found her guardian angel in you,her nature is to be defensive while she is expecting especially if she has been living on the streets she just needs love and time to get through her pregnancy in peace and her good nature will return,she will be tougher than she looks. i do hope she is ok and god bless you for helping her. a check up costs around 20 to 30 pounds but does depend on where you live the rspca or pdsa can help with paying for this . good luck xxx

Answer 7

im not sure how much it would be for a check up but definatly take it to a vet.

keep giving it food and water and try to convince your mom to let it stay. ask your mom why she doesn't want the cat and tell her that you'll take care of it.

also she may be growling because she's pregnant.

Answer 8

It depends on where you take her. Call ahead to places to ask how much a check-up would cost. I usually take my cats to Banfield Hospital at Petsmart for their care, and it runs around $30 just for the general checkup.

Answer 9

Please give her to the Humane Society. Better that the babies are adopted and her put down than to have her end up back on the streets. (If there is a no-kill shelter in your city, take her there) This is why we should all spay or neuter our pets - they breed too quickly.

Answer 10

If your mom is allergic to cats bringing in another cat will not be good for your mom. She is suffering now with one cat in the house. Give your mom a break.