Stray cat keeps meowing near our door, It's kittens have gone missing. Help!

[fpace]

Hey, so a couple of weeks ago this cat started coming to us, at first it was really scared and ran away when we opened the door, but since we fed it a lot and showed it affection it is used to us and really likes us. So 3 days ago I wake up in the morning and go downstairs, and i see outside the same stray cat brought 2 of its kittens. I was really surprise and happy so i went outside, fed them and did stuff like that. When I came back from school the kittens where in a corner in the garden, it seemed they made it there home and the mother watched over them. But then the next day the kittens suddenly dissapeared, no sight of them at all. And from then on the mother cat has been meowing at our door, the kittens haven't been seen again, and I have no idea what to do. I can't bring the cat in since I'm not allowed but i really feel sorry for the cat. My parents are gonna buy cat food on the weekend so we can feed it but i really dont know what to do now, where could it's kittens have gone? Why does it keep meowing non-stop?
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[jennyr]

Do you have any idea how old the kittens are? Were they running around or staying close together? Were their eyes open? Sadly, in the wild, kittens do get killed by predators, or die of cold or accident. Otherwise the world would be over-run with cats. All you can do is search very thoroughly, in neighbours' yards too if possible. But it sounds almost as if the mother cat is missing her kittens, and maybe even asking for help in finding them. If they have really vanished then it would be a great kindness to her (and less trouble for you and your parents in the future) if you could get her spayed. Would your parents consider paying for that? If she can only be an outside cat then at least you could go on feeding her without the worry of future kittens.

 

[StefanZ]

Hey, so a couple of weeks ago this cat started coming to us, at first it was really scared and ran away when we opened the door, but since we fed it a lot and showed it affection it is used to us and really likes us. So 3 days ago I wake up in the morning and go downstairs, and i see outside the same stray cat brought 2 of its kittens. I was really surprise and happy so i went outside, fed them and did stuff like that. When I came back from school the kittens where in a corner in the garden, it seemed they made it there home and the mother watched over them. But then the next day the kittens suddenly dissapeared, no sight of them at all. And from then on the mother cat has been meowing at our door, the kittens haven't been seen again, and I have no idea what to do. I can't bring the cat in since I'm not allowed but i really feel sorry for the cat. My parents are gonna buy cat food on the weekend so we can feed it but i really dont know what to do now, where could it's kittens have gone? Why does it keep meowing non-stop?
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks

I agree with JennyR.  The kittens are missing - someone took them.  As best for adoption.  Momma is either hoping YOU have them.  Or is asking you for help.    I dont know if searching will help much, unless some neigbour DID adopted them, but showing her you are concerned and trying to help, she will remember this and appreciate.  So do make a search together with her.

I too agree completely, if you cant adopt her, so please help her with a spaying.  Tell us where you live, which city.  There are surely low cost spaying clinics, if need be.

She has managed outside so far OK, she is one of the survivors.  She will manage nicely if spayed.

 

[fpace]

Wow, just as i was typing a reply about thanking for your feedback, the two kittens just came to my door and so did the mother! Thanks for the feedback guys! We think that maybe they lived somewhere else? Or they just stayed at another spot but it seems they are here for food. Thank you for your feedback!

 

[di and bob]

Mothers often hide their offspring or make them stay in a safe spot until she is certain she can trust you not to be a threat. I'm sure she is meowing because she is a stray which someone abandoned and not used to finding food for herself, and now is practically starving because of the demands of the kittens. She may be signaling the kittens to come to your door for food, and they are to scared to show themselves. There comes a time when she has no choice but to bring them to you to feed, the instinct for survival is very strong in a mama cat!  I agree with getting her spayed as soon as the kittens are able to eat very well on their own, if only one is a female you'll have up to 10 extra cats in the next 6 months between the two of them, believe me I know, I had ONE mama cat who gave birth to 17 kittens in one year before I finally caught her and had her spayed. Bless you for helping her, she is so scared and overwhelmed right now, you are her angel here on earth!

 

[kittychick]

Firstly, thanks so much for worrying about momma and her babies! Many would have ignored her.

I'm glad she AND the kittens cane back! I was just reading this and getting ready to say to please not assume the kittens were dead or taken. It's very possible - and looks like this might have been the case - that Momma realized she'd found a possible food source for her - and eventually (or now, depending on kitten age) a food source for maybe her babies as well. If she's still nursing - mom's need LOTS of calories- and she may have had THEM hunker down for safety while she went looking for food.

And if she's gotten "used to you" and trusts you (enough to bring you her most precious cargo!!!!!) she's not feral (a kitty who's grown up without human contact & more programmed to try to survive in the wild. Chances are good she's a "dump" by someone who decided they didn't want her anymore (or possibly even bc she was pregnant!!!) or a lost kitty---she may very well do very poorly outside long term. And most kittens don't live very long outside ---it's such a tough world out there, between cars/traffic, disease, dogs, wildlife, unpleasant humans, illness & starvation. Firstly - putting out food (and water!!!! That's just as important!!) is wonderful of you and your folks! Can the little family stay -& eat - for the time being in your garage? ---that'd be extra great. If you're going to be shutting the door at all, they'll need a litterbox in there. If you're leaving the door cracked, Don't forget to pick up the food after dusk --- otherwise every bit of neighborhood wildlife thinks they've hit the mega load buffet!!!!

Second critical thing is to figure out how old the kittens actually are. This'll help you figure out how long they HAVE to stay with momma bc they might still be (at least partially) nursing ---& you don't want to remove her from them until they don't need her for milk. A good place to get an idea is a chart by Alley Cat Allies---you can find the chart at https://www.alleycat.org/resources/kitten-progression/. That'll help you know how to move ahead.

You say your parents won't let her -or I'm guessing--- the babies in. We can talk more later --- but a few things to think about. Is she very friendly? Can you ---and/or family members/friends pet her? What about the kittens? (If momma's friendly - she may hiss about touching her babies at first, but once she knows you're friendly she should let you start to touch & play with them. Remember when you feed them - no milk! That's a myth - kitties like it, but it's really hard on their tummies & gives them diarrhea I'm assuming your folks don't want to bring any of the babies in either? Sheltering all in your garage is a FABULOUS start, but inside homes for all (esp the velnerable kittens - once old enough-is best. We at this site can offer help in how to do that!!!!! (Just offering "free kittens" isn't the best way

As far as Momma -- she too would eventually do best as an inside kittty too --and we can help you there too! (Although any chance she could eventually come in with you & your helpful parents?

Until it's decided what's going to happen with this sweetie who trusted you with her babies--once the babies are old enough, PLEASE consider taking her to a low-cost (which can fix them VERY chheaply!!!!) Spay & Neuter clinic --- she can likely be fixed very inexpensivly. Which is SUPER important because she can start having babies AGAIN once her babies are only 4 months old - that's little! And the babies can start having babies at only 4 months!!!! (Ad kitties don't discriminate...they'll have babies with mom...and with each other! : before you know it you've got LOTS of babies to care for!!!!

Again - check in here for help, advice & a shoulder on all of the above --we all know it's a lot to take on!!! But this sweet momma chose YOU because she knows you can help her her little ones

 

[StefanZ]

Wow, just as i was typing a reply about thanking for your feedback, the two kittens just came to my door and so did the mother! Thanks for the feedback guys! We think that maybe they lived somewhere else? Or they just stayed at another spot but it seems they are here for food. Thank you for your feedback!

Wow!  The miracle had happened!   The angel of Death has passed by, not taking the children with him.  The Passover story happened again.

I strongly suggest you take the hint from Above.

Adopt her and the kittens as soon you can talk over your parents.  This is the only way to diminish further risks for them.  To fullfill Gods wish.  To make happy the Jesus Child and his Mother - them rejoicing.  (as we said when I was a child born in Catholic Poland).

If your family cant have the cats yourself, you should be able to find some other good adoption home - especielly the kittens shouldnt be difficult.

Please.  Do so. Fullfill this miracle.

 

[fpace]

Thank you so much everyone for your support.
The mother does allow us to pet the kittens, they aren't scared of us and neither is the mother. I have a friend who is interested in taking the mother and 2 kittens once i told him about them, so we will most likely give them to him because him and his parents have had many cats and are experienced in owning them so I trust they can take care of them well, as of now, it is 10:50PM for me and the cats want to come inside... I really can't let them in other whys i would be in A LOT of trouble so I brought them in the garage, and put together some old blankets and shirts for them to lie on. They will be staying there for tonight and Saturday and Sunday and by Monday my friends parents are gonna take them to the Vet and keep them. I'm really happy things have turned out the way they have and thanks all for the help and advice!

 

[fpace]

Picture of the Mother and one of the kittens

 

[jennyr]

What good news! That they are all safe and that you have found them a home. It could not be better. Well done, everyone involved.