How to proceed with stray/ferals ?

alessandra

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Well, I've gone and done the unthinkable .. I'm feeding a couple of strays. We moved to our own house about 14 months ago and I'd periodically see a grey cat hanging out in our driveway. I didn't think much of it - figured it was a neighbors cat sunning herself. However, a couple of weeks ago our dogs started going nuts and I looked outside and there she was with 2 adorable black and white kittens. The kittens are pretty good size so I'd guess they're about 3 months old. I've also spotted the little rascal that created this little family. He's black and white like his babies.

Anyhow, I've been putting out a bowl of canned food and a bowl of dry every day along with a bowl of water. I call them when I put the food out (here kitty kitty .. neighbors probably think I'm a nut) and I peek out the window periodically in an effort to see who's eating and to get them used to me. What more can I do to make friends with these little guys ? I'd love to adopt the kittens and also spay/neuter their parents. I figure taking the kittens in would be easiest since they're young but I'm not sure the parents would adjust to life inside. I worry about them all with winter coming.

I've read a lot of the posts here and at the very least I'll have my husband construct a winter shelter for them. I'd appreciate any guidance you can offer to insure I do what's best for these cats.
 

tnr1

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What more can I do to make friends with these little guys ? I'd love to adopt the kittens and also spay/neuter their parents. I figure taking the kittens in would be easiest since they're young but I'm not sure the parents would adjust to life inside. I worry about them all with winter coming.
The very FIRST thing you should do is borrow a humane trap and trap this family so that mom and the kittens can be vet checked and mom can be spayed. If the kittens are old enough...you can start to socialize the kittens to be placed into homes.....mom can be returned outdoors once the kittens are done weaning.

Below is a list of TNR groups in New York that could possibly lend you some traps:

http://www.alleycat.org/orgs.html#ny

Building a shelter will be a good thing for mom once she is back outdoors.

Katie
 

malena

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If you have a spare room to place them in in the beginning - take them in. There will be drama in the beginning and it will be difficult to get the older cats time and if the kittens are older then eight weeks it will take quite some time for them too, but it doesn't have to be that much trouble. Especially not if they are farely healthy. The best is to take them to the vet before releasing them in the room since it will be difficult to catch them again.
We have seven feral cats in our family. Two mothers and five kittens. The two youngest kittens are completely tame and the three older are fairly good on their way. The mothers are not but they are getting closer and closer to us and they are really no bother. Our difficulties was that they all were ill from Chlamydia and Herpes infection but for the rest they have used the litterbox from day one. They eat good. There has been very few incidents with our two tame cats and no cat-fights what so ever. The time I spend with them gives so much back and I have comed to term with that we will have a big family. I don't count on that the grown cats will become really friendly at all or at least not in a year or two but that is ok since they are spayed now and I we can keep them worm free with Stronghold and similiar medication - thanks to my husbands really fast reflexes. I have not regretted that we took care of them for one second.
 

flamingo13

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I agree with the spay/neuter - we were lucky to find an org. that did that - Trap/Neuter/Return - doesn't sound like much but we covered out outdoor patio table w/heavy plastic, weighed it down, etc. - and fed them under there (we had the four usual cheap plastic chairs also) - it was a pretty good size: we had two of the kitty beds, a section for them to eat, etc.) Also, as per the recommendation of the gal that "fixed" them: a large Rubbermaid storage container: cut out opposing holes and fill with straw - we had a huge feral colony and that took care of them
- message if you have questions on the Rubbermaid thing.
 

StefanZ

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The nearest to do is perhaps simply to keep to feeding them.

You didnt it before, yet they stayed nearby. Now you do feed them. This they surely notice and will get rather quickly accustomed to you - and slowly more and more tame.

You dont have own cats as now? In this case it istn so much hurry with the vet. It IS best, but not dirty necessity, if it is much inconventient.

The necessity is perhaps the female may get pregnant again...

The male seems to be around. Are they perhaps even living in a family group? It happens, but isnt the most usual.

In any case. As they are around by themselves, and now you do keep feeding them, I want to believe it will resolve itselv, they will in quite soon. Perhaps the youngs first as most curious.
 
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