I've been feeding a stray (feral) cat for some time now. She has been to the point for some time where she will sit next to me and eat (including sniffing and licking my hand, but no real contact).
She's pregnant and is probably nearing her due date. I didn't want her to have the kittens in the wild. So I caught her and she's currently still in the cage in the laundry room. (shut off from all my other animals).
Basically, I want to keep her until she has her babies, find homes for the kittens, get her spayed, and re-release her.
I understand that this is probably a lot of stress on her, but there were no other options except letting her give birth in the cold.
Does anyone have any (constructive) advice?
Thanks
2007-10-20 11:05:08 · 13 answers · asked by Heather H 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Wow. You are an animal lover for sure, and I admire your bravery and sacrifice to take on one that is wild. That is one fortunate cat!
The advice I have to give may not be that helpful, but it did seem to make a difference when we were capturing feral cats to have them spayed or neutered:
Cover the cage with a blanket or sheet if you haven't done so already. Leave some space for her to see you and have air of course, but let it stay mostly covered - it will help her remain ALOT calmer.
You may want to also call your vet if you haven't done so already. They should have some excellent suggestions that would help you.
There is one thing to consider: Many cats in the wild reproduce among themselves, (like a mother cat becoming pregnant by a cat she had given birth to) causing many genetic and health-related problems. It may be prudent to discuss this possibility with the vet, and find out whether there are any tests they can do to detect any of these problems, BEFORE the kittens are placed. It would be devastating to the recipient to give a home to a new kitten, and then have it die of congestive heart failure or some other terrible condition shortly after they take it in.
Of course, that's one of the worst case scenarios, and may not be an issue at all, but you need to know and weigh out all your options. Only a vet can advise you in this matter for sure.
Finally, be really careful to thoroughly wash up after feeding the stray cat or cleaning her litter box. It doesn't sound like she would let you hold her, but if you do - don't touch any of your other animals until you've changed your clothing. Many serious viruses can be transmitted to your animals this way, however unlikely it may seem. For the sake of your other pets, treat the stray cat as if she's in quarantine, even if she appears to be perfectly healthy.
I'm sorry - I wish I knew more to tell you. It isn't easy taking care of a wild animal, and it does pose some risk for you and your pets, if you aren't scrupulously careful....but it can be done, and I encourage you to do so. It's a wonderful thing you are attempting to do, and much suffering and needless loss of life will be avoided because of your determination. God bless you!
2007-10-20 11:25:14 · answer #1 · answered by CassandraM 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did the same thing two years ago. I caught a stray female that had given birth to a litter of 5. I got the kittens first and she came inside the house after them. The kittens were 1 week old. At first, she acted crazy when I closed the door. She wanted to escape and started making some really strange noises and started running around the house with one of the kittens in her mouth but eventually she settled down. I didn’t have any other animals so she was free to walk around the house. I kept the family until the kittens were 8 weeks old and then kept the 3 females and took the 2 males and the mom to the shelter. I know that the kittens were adopted but the mom was put to sleep because of her temperament. I do regret taking the mom to the shelter. I should have done what you plan to do, get her spayed and release her back outside. You are doing the right thing. Once the kittens are 8 weeks old you can either find them homes or take them to your local Animal Control office or shelter and let them find homes for them. I recommend that you take them to the shelter because that way they can spay/neutered the kittens, give them their shots, etc. and make sure that they find suitable homes for them. If you give them away on your own, you are taking a big risk unless you know the people very well. You have to be careful about giving free kittens to total estrangers. Some people will take a kitten to kill it or use it to feed other animals and who knows what other horrible things.
I think what you’re doing is great. Not too many people take the time and effort or are willing to spend money to do what you are doing. I’m glad to see that there are still people out there who care enough about feral cats to help them out when they need it. Good luck to you and all your animals.
2007-10-20 19:28:31 · answer #2 · answered by swf2020 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How nice of you, you're saving this kitty and her soon to be babies. I don't have any info to give, sounds like you're on the right track. Couldn't believe the other 2 answers you rec'd you deserve better. I hope someone can give you some pointers. The kittens will need to stay with their mom till they're what 8 wks old. I have a kitten from a feral mother, I took the kitten when she was about 6 wks old, so she would not be wild. We found homes for the rest of the litter and had mama spayed and released, they notch the ears of the feral cats so they know that they've been altered.
Thank you for saving this cat and her babies.
2007-10-20 18:15:26 · answer #3 · answered by gsdmix 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why does she have to have the babies? Since you've caught her why not take her to the VET?! She needs prenatal care, especially since she's been a stray and had it tough. A vet can advise you if the pregnancy can be aborted or any other health issues she may have. In some rare cases, it isn't a pregnancy but a tumor or some other problem. She needs to see a vet.
Have you provided a soft warm place for her? At least a blanket for her to snuggle in? Any water? Food? If your regular vet is not open, take her to an emergency vet. ER vets are open nights, weekends and holidays when regular vets are not. And yes, continue to isolate her from the other animals. You don't know if she has any disease such as FIV. Besides, being exposed to other animals she doesn't know would be emotionally stressful for her as well.
To the vet!
2007-10-20 19:11:18 · answer #4 · answered by D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for now there isn't much you can do but wait for the birth. She will need to be eating kitten food, and lots of water.
You can see if the vet will give you a dewormer for her now, and any vaccines are out of the questions. I'd also test her for Felv/Fiv virus. If she is positive, then her kittens will also be most likely carriers of the virus.
Get her some revolution now, its safe for nursing cats, will help with any "critters" she may have brought with her. Its easy to apply between the shoulder blade area. Again that comes from the vet also.
She will deal with the stress. Cats are adaptive and survive most situations. You will be able to tame the babies this way and find them homes, which is wonderful. Spaying her will also be wonderful for her future health. She may surprise you and become happy with her indoor situation and want to stay!
2007-10-20 18:19:04 · answer #5 · answered by almondsarenuts 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're a kind person to do all you have done. Personally, I would take her to a local shelter after ensuring it has a no-kill policy first. Otherwise, as others have suggested, if the cost isn't an issue, I would get her to the Vet to be checked out. If you decide to find homes for the kittens yourself, be sure to charge people something rather than giving them away. The money could be use to cover the mom's vet bill (spay) or given to a shelter. I suggest this approach because folks need to be able to demonstrate they can afford to have a pet. Our shelter charges over $100 for cat adoptions.
2007-10-20 18:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by BeachGirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I caught my Mama kitty when her kittens were a week old. Take her to the vets to get tested for diseases that she might have and that she could pass on to the babies. Then talk to your vet about the best care that she needs. My Mama and kittens (4 of them) are all doing well (8 weeks).
2007-10-20 19:01:07 · answer #7 · answered by fruitie7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
2014-10-24 23:02:15 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately keep her indoors. If you can contain her in a certain room, that'd be a little better than keeping her in a cage. She'll need to move around and use the litter box.
The TNR works well, we do it here. If she's able to handle indoor life, you might even be able to take her in as one of yours.
2007-10-21 20:09:56 · answer #9 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good job :) catching the kitty because her kittens would be feral if born in the wild and then they would go on and on as i am sure you know. i would take her to your veterinarian for a checkup and have her tested for FeLV/FIV before you get to involved or attached
2007-10-20 18:10:43 · answer #10 · answered by Plantasia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋