Over my head with 6

I originally intended to just get the ferals fixed and return. However, 6 of them are juveniles, with one either younger or a runt. I could not return them. So now, i have 6 adolescent cats (5 females, 1 male) in too small a space to work with. All were spayed/neutered, rabies shot and flea treated at Feral day at local HSTB. I caught one of the mammas & she was negative for FIV; i still need to catch the other mamma. And there is a litter (or combined litters) still in the area.
I can ask some friends for help, possibly, but any advise in the meantime?

apparently, if you do have friends / acquistances you can ask for help, do so. As soon as you can. Begin phone them tonight.

Especielly those who do have own friendly cat, or even cat-friendly dog. In such a case they even dont need to be big experts on fostering. Positive attitude, listen to advices, and this friendly animal.


This is not only because you are too crowded. But also because you do have also other tasks to do.

You must spare yourself too by trying to share the burdens.
There is also a bonus: with a little luck you will get some new, extra fosterers. There is always a need for good or even decent fosterers. If your own area is clean thanks to your work, you can surely help out them from the Craiglist or the countys around yours.....


Good luck!


ps. Welcome to the Forums!

Bless your heart! And on top of it all, FIVE were females! Just imagine how many unwanted kittens you've prevented!

What is your definition of "too small?" It is always best to socialize/foster (at least initially) in just one room, even if it is more than one cat.

Do you need socializing tips?

Have you already contacted rescues/shelters so see if they have a foster program?

You can search at http://www.pets911.com

We found someone to help us foster by searching petfinder (http://www.petfinder.com). Just search on "cat" in your zipcode. Scroll through all the listings - every cat will have an organization listed with it. Each org has contact info somewhere. We conducted an e-mail campaign. An important tip is to write down each organization you contact and the e-mail address used. Most e-mails are personal, so when they reply, if you didn't write this down, it's very hard to know which org is responding to you. Just remember - like you, most orgs are underfunded and under-staffed, so it can take a while for them to get back to you - if they get back to you at all. We sent out 22 e-mails covering a 3-hour drive radius from us. We received about 5 replies, just one of them willing to help. Thank goodness it was a GREAT foster network, and a contact we're glad we now have.

How old are the kitties? If they're a few months old, the very best thing to do is not try to interact with them if they're freaking out. Spend the first week just doing EVERYTHING on a schedule. The key to socialization is trust, and the way to earn that trust is helping them learn you want NOTHING from them and you are solely there to meet their needs. Knock on the door lightly before entering, tell them you're coming in, give them "safe" places to hide - and put food out, clean litter boxes, clean water bowls, on as regular a schedule as possible.

Do NOT look at them in the eyes - this is a sign of aggression. Avoid looking at them altogether if at all possible. Or look over their heads, or at their forehead. Talk quietly always while in the room. Or sing. If you can afford harp music, this is very calming for cats, especially ferals.

http://www.musicmypet.com/
http://www.catfaeries.com/music-for-cats.html

Consider Feliway spray or diffuser, and consider Flower Essences. It used to be called Rescue Remedy, but I think it's called Feral something-or-other now. http://www.catfaeries.com/essences.html

...other than that, food is your friend. Get a couple of t-shirts really good and sweaty. Put one under their food dish(es) and once or twice a day when you leave the room, put treats down on another one. This helps them associate your scent with something they love.

Spend as much time in the room with them as you can - ignoring them. Read out loud, work on computer, watch TV, iron, fold laundry, sew - whatever. Nap in there. If it's a guest bedroom or your bedroom, sleep in there. And whatever you can do down at "their" level so you're even less threatening, do it on the floor. Yawn, stretch, work out... just let them watch you, get used to you, and see how non-threatening you are. Get out a wand toy when they don't seem as scared - move it around a little, see if there's any interest. Most importantly, force nothing on them at all.

We're here for support and any questions.

...and HUGE congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...there are people on here who can help you with adoption brochures/fliers if you need that kind of help. Obviously we'd need pictures - and that's something best done after they're more comfortable. They adopt much easier if they look happy.