Stray Kittens- What should I do?

Question

I live in an apartment complex. A neighbor took in a stray cat and it gave birth to 6 kittens... but they let them out all the time. In fact, the mom and all six kittens are playing in a bush infront of my patio right now. I worked for petco for a long time and have sat through a bunch of lectures on how susceptible cats are to disease and why you shouldn't let your cat outdoors. Especially with teh kittens, I am worried about what people might do to them as they are not obviously claimed (no collars or anything). I don't know of anyone who will take them- maybe a shelter?? But would calling the shelter be offensive to these neighbors? I'm not sure what to do.

I have a 2 year old and a dog... they are not very friendly and I don't think I could gather them myself. I am concerned about calling a shelter that by the time they get here the kittens would be gone and they would have wasted their time. Plus I'm not sure I mentioned it but these people that I talked to the kittens about are inlaws of a girl I knew when I was a groomer at petco, thats why i'm worried they might get offended if they find out I called... weird situation, but I will try and look up some shelters. Last time I had a stray cat I couldn't find an open shelter in this area that didn't require volunteer work or donations to drop off a cat. Humane society required that they be injured. But like I said, I'll look, I just feel so sorry for them one of them has a swollen eye : (

Answer 1

Take it to the Apartment manager in a annoymous letter of concern and let them handle this situation so you don't have any problems with the neighbors.

Answer 2

Hi. I understand your frustration, I've been through similar kinds of situations, but it is diifficult to take care of animals that don't belong to you, especially if you don't want to take them yourself. I think you should try to talk to the people that do own the kittens and find out if they are getting medical care. I'm worried about that swallen eye, as it is probably an infection. A young kitten needs anitbiotics quickly for that. I took a kitten from a neighbor once and ended up paying a vet $1500 for sugery as the eye was blind and had to be removed. If you're interested, the first thing to do is to find out if they have gotten medication for that kitten and, if not, will they let you take it yourself, if you're willing to. You also can ask them if the kittens have had shots/tests/wormer yet since they are spending time outdoors.

Then, you could talk to shelters or even the police, but you'll have to specify that you don't own the kittens and you believe they are being abused. Abuse allegations are not easy to prove without a witness or an injured animal. I think an untreated infection constitutes abuse, but they might disagree.

Honestly, just because they are outside doesn't mean they are abused. However, it sounds like they are also being neglected and that is cause for concern (to say the least). Laws vary from state to state and country to country so I can't really advise you regarding specifics, but I'd worry more about the cats than the feelings of the neighbor, inasmuch as you don't want to antagonize them out of letting you help.

Another thing to remember: most places that will take them will also put them down. It depends on where you live, but it's something to be aware of before you let the situation go to far.

Just get all the advice you can from official sources, think about how much money you might be willing/able to spend for cats that you aren't keeping and do what you can. I know it's hard. Sometimes I think I'd take pets away from most people if I could!

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about being offensive to your neighbors. Are your neighbors willing to adopt or other wise take care of them.

Ask yourself this, why did the mother cat get pregnant in the first place? People seem the they just have to let their cat's out to roam because of "so called" hunting instincs or when they go into heat and howl. So what happens, exactly what you're going thru right now. You worry and are concerned for the welfar of these animal. People may want a cute little but, don't want the responsibility that go's along with care and treatment so that they don't have kittens.

Take mom and her babies to your nearest shelter so they may be adopted by responsible people. You seem to be the only person concerned. Do the right thing and don't worry about what the neighbors will think about you. Doesn't sound like they're doing anything about the situation. It's the old "let someone else take care of it". If they should say anything to you about this, just tell them someone had to be responsible. Maybe that will give them something to think about, but don't count on it. Just handle the situation, because you already know what needs to be done. We all have something to learn about being responsible. You do the right thing girl.

Answer 4

Take then to a local shelter. Now is the time that people are looking for pets and they have a better chance of getting a home while they are kittens then when they get bigger. A lot of places will euthanize adult cats if they are not quickly adopted so take the kittens now before they get too big.

Answer 5

No....call a no-kill shelter!! The kittens will be given all their shots and spayed/neutered and then found good homes. We need to SPAY and NEUTER our pets!!! And though its a good thing that your neighbors took in a stray and is taking care of the kittens, something needs to be done so that the KITTENS don't becomes strays and make more kittens who are condemned to be strays. It a never ending cycle that can only be broken with spaying/neutering. Try PAWS....they are a great organization that will take in strays and make sure they are spayed/neutered before they are adapted. Good luck!!

Answer 6

You should either bring them to a shelter yourself or call a shelter then they will all end up in good homes and not on the street. Kittens are a lot easier to get adopted as well!

Answer 7

You need to do what is best for the kittens. Follow your heart it is obvious that you care a great deal.
If something is not done you will be over ran with stray cats, our friend wound up with 32 and 99% of them are wild.

Answer 8

Put them in a add in your local paper. If no good, then try to take them to a pet shelter so they can get adopted out and have good homes. Good luck...

Answer 9

I take it their mum has deserted them? First confirm they're wholesome in case you desire to strengthen them and determine they do no longer seem to be sneezing, have no eye discharge/nasal discharge - in case you like take them to the vet for a verify up. elevating 3 week previous kittens involves diverse artwork can they bathroom with the help of themselves yet? in the event that they are able to't you ought to stimulate this because of the fact the mummy might. Take the corner of a paper towel and run it decrease than heat water then wipe over the kittens genitals to stimulate urine and faeces production in the event that they are able to do this on their very own that is extra advantageous. attempt them with a dry animal milk replace which you will ought to make up as consistent with training you ought to have the skill to purchase it from a puppy save/vet and feed the mandatory volume to them the two in a small saucer/lid or in the event that they gained't drink on their very own you will ought to feed them your self with the help of potential of a syringe which you ought to have the skill to get from a vet/shield frequently 4, 3ml syringes finished 5-7x daily is okay. The kittens may even devour small quantities of kitten foodstuff so attempt this familiar because of the fact the extra they are able to do themselves the fewer there is for you. you ought to maintain them heat too. in case you such as you may take them to the shield yet bear in mind the shield could think of they're too youthful so that they could no longer save them or could have too many to foster out. yet once you ask in case you may foster them and whilst they're sufficiently enormous (around 1kg) might they have the skill to discover them properties. except you desire to maintain them.

Answer 10

call the shelter at least you will know that they are going to good homes instead of being let out to roam and possibly being killed by outside dangers . good luck and please know you are doing the right thing .