Finally got ferrel pregnant mom

Hi,
I'm new to this site. I finally caught a very pregnant cat at my office that I have been trying to get since January. She already had one litter early in the spring that I was able to get the kittens at 10 weeks... all have been adopted. Now, she is very far along so she is going to be having them soon. I have her in my garage right now in a very large dog crate. She is finally using the litter box and is eating very well. Except for the fact that if my hand goes past a certain point - she spits and hisses. I was able to borrow a large cage with shelves for her. I put it in my bedroom thinking I need her close to me, but now my family thinks I am over the edge and that it isn't fair to my other cats, rabbit and dog... What do I do? I feel so bad for her partly because I am thinking is she going to have to be rereleased after the babies are of age and she is spayed? It's so sad. I really want to work with her but feel that putting her in the garage won't help with the socilaizing... What do you think?

Vickie

Originally Posted by vnikolla

Hi,
I'm new to this site. I finally caught a very pregnant cat at my office that I have been trying to get since January. She already had one litter early in the spring that I was able to get the kittens at 10 weeks... all have been adopted. Now, she is very far along so she is going to be having them soon. I have her in my garage right now in a very large dog crate. She is finally using the litter box and is eating very well. Except for the fact that if my hand goes past a certain point - she spits and hisses. I was able to borrow a large cage with shelves for her. I put it in my bedroom thinking I need her close to me, but now my family thinks I am over the edge and that it isn't fair to my other cats, rabbit and dog... What do I do? I feel so bad for her partly because I am thinking is she going to have to be rereleased after the babies are of age and she is spayed? It's so sad. I really want to work with her but feel that putting her in the garage won't help with the socilaizing... What do you think?

Vickie

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Vickie....first, I would make sure that she has absolutely no ability of getting out of that crate..even accidentally. You may even want to consider taking her to be spayed once the kittens are born or (and yes, this is an option) having her spayed now. Yes, that would terminate the litter, but then you would know for sure that she would be fixed and not be able to have another litter of kittens.

Returning a feral outdoors isn't a bad thing....some cats really do not necessarily adjust well to living indoors. But given that she is pregnant, I would suggest you wait on making that determination until she has been spayed. Also, I would encourage to keep her indoors....the garage is probably not ideal in that if she gets out...she could probably find a way back outdoors.

Katie

Originally Posted by TNR1

Vickie....first, I would make sure that she has absolutely no ability of getting out of that crate..even accidentally. You may even want to consider taking her to be spayed once the kittens are born or (and yes, this is an option) having her spayed now. Yes, that would terminate the litter, but then you would know for sure that she would be fixed and not be able to have another litter of kittens.

Katie

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Whoa did you just suggest aborting a litter of kittens?
Is taht not something TCS members would consider inhumane??

Wow. I will stop myself here.

Originally Posted by DIEGO

Whoa did you just suggest aborting a litter of kittens?
Is taht not something TCS members would consider inhumane??

Wow. I will stop myself here.

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Cats dont think that way or have morals like humans ....

Originally Posted by sharky

Cats dont think that way or have morals like humans ....

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Yeah I know, but there will be at least 2 people involved in it. The person who takes the cat to get spayed whilst pregnant and the vet.

I don't know eh, I've seen people get so upset and angry at shelters that kill and other things, but unless I misinterpreted something here (although it was simply an option) it sounds to me that, its not seen as inhumane/an ac of cruelty to kill a litter of kittens!?

I know they are not born but still.........

mama's belly popped about two weeks ago... she is going to have her babies... she is a very good mother and will probably only have 2 or 3 babies... i know that shelter's do abort early on - most vets won't if they have a short time left... as far as i know...

i am just looking for some support on how to handle her or suggestions as to what has worked for people with ferel mom and when the babies come... thanks

vickie

Originally Posted by DIEGO

Yeah I know, but there will be at least 2 people involved in it. The person who takes the cat to get spayed whilst pregnant and the vet.

I don't know eh, I've seen people get so upset and angry at shelters that kill and other things, but unless I misinterpreted something here (although it was simply an option) it sounds to me that, its not seen as inhumane/an ac of cruelty to kill a litter of kittens!?

I know they are not born but still.........

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I know this is a difficult decision for people to make because emotions get involved. My friend and I just caught a pregnant feral and had her spayed yesterday. Yes, her pregnancy was terminated in doing so. Yes, her neighbors were shocked.

The problem is: who is going to watch those kittens and their mother until they are of age? Who will get them to the vet? Who will get them their shots? Who will get them spayed/neutered? Who will pay the bills for all this?

Should we let her be and just have 4 or 5 more feral cats in the streets? Do you let her go and hope you can catch her again and the kittens and get them adopted out? Wouldn't you feel just as bad for the poor momma cat who has to continually give birth to litter upon litter and scrounge around for food for her and her babies?

Another thought: The 4 or 5 kittens that were terminated in the pregnancy leaves homes available for the many kittens that are looking for homes in no-kill and other shelters at this very moment and for weeks to come.

Not trying to start an argument. Just trying to show the other point of view.

Originally Posted by vnikolla

i am just looking for some support on how to handle her or suggestions as to what has worked for people with ferel mom and when the babies come... thanks

vickie

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Sorry I hi-jacked your thread, I got a little caught up in the moment.

I'm glad your willing to take care of her for now, its very kind of you.
I'm unable to offer support on how to handle her due to her being pregnant. I have had 1 or 2 dealings with semi feral kittens/cats and I have my way, but haven't tried working with a pregnant feral.

Good luck to you, heres some vibes

Originally Posted by DIEGO

Whoa did you just suggest aborting a litter of kittens?
Is taht not something TCS members would consider inhumane??

Wow. I will stop myself here.

Click to expand...

The TNR clinic that volunteer with does perform spay/abort on all females. It is up to the discretion of the vet whether they will not spay a female, but we haven't had one yet that was turned away. I actually consider it very humane given the option of remaining outdoors and having litter after litter after litter.

Katie

Originally Posted by vnikolla

mama's belly popped about two weeks ago... she is going to have her babies... she is a very good mother and will probably only have 2 or 3 babies... i know that shelter's do abort early on - most vets won't if they have a short time left... as far as i know...

i am just looking for some support on how to handle her or suggestions as to what has worked for people with ferel mom and when the babies come... thanks

vickie

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Vickie....my hope is that you are dealing with a stray versus a feral.
Here is the challange....feral cats that are out in their own environment can be excellent mothers....but when confined, they can and sometimes do take measures to protect their kittens (including killing them). My hope is that your mother cat does not react that badly, but I would certainly advise that you provide a sheet to cover the cage when you are not changing her food or litter. I would also limit my time with her for now...she knows the ropes with regards to having kittens and it may scare her to have you around. Best to simply check on her and make sure that everything is ok. After the kittens are born...again, it is best to judge your interaction with them based on her response..if she hisses or swats at you...then leave them be. If she seems receptive, then play with them. Make sure however that your bedroom door is closed to avoid any opportunity for mom to try to dash to freedom.

A nursing cat can be spayed...so I would plan to take her for her spay appt when the kittens are around 6 weeks. That will also give you an opportunity to get more involved with the kittens.

Katie

Originally Posted by DIEGO

Whoa did you just suggest aborting a litter of kittens?
Is taht not something TCS members would consider inhumane??

Wow. I will stop myself here.

Click to expand...

Aborting is less inhumane than litters being born with little to no human contact and becoming the life of a feral. Also if the caretaker has no options to be able to adopt this litter out, then what? Take them to a shelter where they will be put down if not adopted? Most no-kill shelters are bursting at the seams and have very few to no openings.

Sad to say we have aborted several litters from trapped ferals who were pregnant. We had no place to keep them until they gave birth and were not going to release them with the chance of never trapping this cat again and have the litters born in the wild.

Mama had her babies yesterday afternoon... One week to the date that I finally was able to get her ... They are beautiful, one black, one white, and one black and white like her... i have the crate covered 1/2 way on the front... she is eating and using the litter box... she is a very good mother and thank you for the suggestion of limiting my time with her... i believe you are right.. for now as long as she has protection from preditors, food, water and comfort she will be fine... thank you for your suggesions!

Vickie

Originally Posted by vnikolla

Mama had her babies yesterday afternoon... One week to the date that I finally was able to get her ... They are beautiful, one black, one white, and one black and white like her... i have the crate covered 1/2 way on the front... she is eating and using the litter box... she is a very good mother and thank you for the suggestion of limiting my time with her... i believe you are right.. for now as long as she has protection from preditors, food, water and comfort she will be fine... thank you for your suggesions!

Vickie

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I'm glad everything went ok with the delivery. Now is a good time to talk to your vet about the date when you can have mom spayed and the kittens checked over. At 6 weeks they should receive their first worming.

A really good website is:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/

Which can help you to track the kittens' development.

Katie

Congratulations and good luck with your new litter! It is great of you to care for them and their momma. They are lucky to have you.