(Sorry this is so long!)
I've been volunteering with our TNR group for two years now, but have never done any trapping and really need some advice regarding a feral mom and her two kittens. (Not getting much support/advice from the coordinator of our group since she's overwhelmed at other sites)
Here's the situation: Last night, a family I've been trying to help was able to trap a tortie they've been feeding lby luring her into a kennel with wet food. She's the primary breeder at the site and they estimate she's at least five litters of kittens. Most have died. Their best guess is that her last litter was born in late July or early August. They hadn't seen the two kittens since early Sept. and figured they didn't make it. Last weekend, though, another neighbor that feeds saw a gray/white kitten emerge from the basement window of an abandoned house nearby. She also said the tortie hangs out there. After finding out the tortie had been trapped, I spoke to this same neighbor who said she's now seen two kittens. She puts their age at about 10-weeks-old, which would be about right.
There's also the chance the tortie may be pregnant again. The feeders are basing this on her looks and behavior (she actually becomes very friendly with them while pregnant), so now that we have her I want to get her to the vet ASAP. My question is really involving the kittens. Obviously, now that we know they're alive the plan is to trap them too. Given their age will they be okay without mom until they're trapped? Since no one knew about them, they weren't being fed, so they were still relying on mom for that. The feeders are more than willing to put out food for the kittens, but I can't help but worry about them.
Like I said, I'm not getting much help from the TNR group I volunteer with, so
I contacted another person I know who traps, but she's been tied up with work. Now that I know about the kittens, I want to get them ASAP. I am set up to foster them and the tortie and have the resources to get them fixed. The issue is trapping.
I'd really appreciate any advice/guidance you guys can offer. Thanks!
I've been volunteering with our TNR group for two years now, but have never done any trapping and really need some advice regarding a feral mom and her two kittens. (Not getting much support/advice from the coordinator of our group since she's overwhelmed at other sites)
Here's the situation: Last night, a family I've been trying to help was able to trap a tortie they've been feeding lby luring her into a kennel with wet food. She's the primary breeder at the site and they estimate she's at least five litters of kittens. Most have died. Their best guess is that her last litter was born in late July or early August. They hadn't seen the two kittens since early Sept. and figured they didn't make it. Last weekend, though, another neighbor that feeds saw a gray/white kitten emerge from the basement window of an abandoned house nearby. She also said the tortie hangs out there. After finding out the tortie had been trapped, I spoke to this same neighbor who said she's now seen two kittens. She puts their age at about 10-weeks-old, which would be about right.
There's also the chance the tortie may be pregnant again. The feeders are basing this on her looks and behavior (she actually becomes very friendly with them while pregnant), so now that we have her I want to get her to the vet ASAP. My question is really involving the kittens. Obviously, now that we know they're alive the plan is to trap them too. Given their age will they be okay without mom until they're trapped? Since no one knew about them, they weren't being fed, so they were still relying on mom for that. The feeders are more than willing to put out food for the kittens, but I can't help but worry about them.
Like I said, I'm not getting much help from the TNR group I volunteer with, so
I contacted another person I know who traps, but she's been tied up with work. Now that I know about the kittens, I want to get them ASAP. I am set up to foster them and the tortie and have the resources to get them fixed. The issue is trapping.
I'd really appreciate any advice/guidance you guys can offer. Thanks!