update on pregnant stray cat missing!!

SO glad she's back! Because you don't know where the nest is - and it sounds like there probably is one (I don't have experience with pregnant females though so wouldn't know) - I think it's best just to keep putting food out for her. I'd put out kitten food - she needs the extra protein & fat. When it comes time to wean the babies, she'll bring them to you.

It's also possible that she hasn't had the kittens yet. Shortly before she delivers they will "drop" so they're mostly hanging down under her belly instead her sides sticking out so far.

Like LDG said, keep putting out the food, and leave the garage door cracked open so she can get in and out.

A few people on TCS have been joking recently that whoever said having pets reduces stress is out of their mind. OK - I realize this stray isn't your pet.... but since she's adopted you, the technicalities of the relationship don't really matter, do they?

I'm so happy that she came back to you!

I know you must be stressed out!!! You feel responsible for her since she has adopted you as her caretaker now. Gosh, I don't know what to say. If we knew she had her kittens it would help. But if she is constantly hanging around your place, then most likely she did not have them otherwise she would eat and run back to the nest.

And you don't want to take her to the vet now, just in case she did have them. Unless you can find the nest. I would at that point bring her and the kittens into the garage untill they are weaned. And handle them very often. The kittens could go to a rescue and get adopted quickly and you could get the Mom spayed.

If you do find the kittens or Mom starts to bring them around when they are older it still would be good to gather them all up and bring them in. Don't give them away, free, to anyone. Most people will take a free kitten and then down the road not get them spayed or neutered. Also, free kittens can get in the hands of some very evil, cruel people. So just start making a connection with a rescue that can give you support and take the kittens for you.

I am glad Mom is back and you have our support in your efforts and I commend you for the work you are doing to help with strays.

One of my coworkers had a somewhat similiar case like yours. A semiferale cat mom eating with them, and apparently having a nest somewhere.
So she talked a lot sweetly with this mom, and followed her a couple of kilometers....
The first time the mom led her astray. But at the second attempt the mom led my coworker to the nest. The kittens were collected and taken back home together with the mom.
The group is still living at their home.
A nice example of people from the beginning NOT fond in cats "me or the cats!" - ending as wonderful caretakers and admirers of their shy cats.



As the mom is apparently friendly to you, you can surely try to do the same: talk sweetly and see if she takes you to the nest. Proceed to talk with her while you are going.
IF she had already her litter, chance is quite good it will succeed.

It is only if she doesnt had her litter it will surely fail (of course). But even a non-answer may be an answer - so this way you will perhaps know... Not 100% sure, but a little better guess than at this moment as now.


IF you can pet her, you can probably feel out if she has kittens inside. Preferably a vet, but someone knowleable with cats or dogs will do. This is the only really sure possibility to know.
Although I suspect you cant - otherwise you wouldnt have this problem and need to ask. (shame to say, I had not read your previous tread - I saw many others did answered you).


Good luck!

YEAH!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how happy I am that you have that appointment with the vet! So glad she is back and I doubt she had kittens otherwise she wouldn't stick around. Will be waiting to hear the news after you vet appt.

yes it can help to completely cover the carrier, we do this with feral cats (who are often freaking out severely when they get trapped) and it helps calm them down. good luck with your mom-to-be!

Yup, cover the carrier with a light blanket. Leave one end open for air.

If she's really pregnant, the trip may send her into labor. That's what happened with one of the ferals we trapped 2 years ago. She had her kittens at the vet (which was a huge relief to us!), and we went on an e-mail campaign to find a foster network to take her and her kitties. We sent out over 20 e-mails to organizations within a 3-hour drive from us. We got four responses, and one offer to take her! She and her kitties were fostered - the babies adopted out in pairs and she was adopted out too!

for you and "Stray Mommy."

Actually, it would! You know she'd be in good hands, and she can stay at the vet for a day or two while you work to find someone to take her and the babies in. Then you can stop worrying (as much LOL) about them!

She's happy? Maybe fleas?

Yeah, if it is so, I do agree, with all probability there is no litter waiting for her.
Although it is quite possible she HAD an litter, but lost it. Either deadborn, or some other cause...

Rolling around you do write? Like happy cats?

I would say, rolling around may also be females in heat... IF she lost her litter, she may be in heat again...

Anyway, do proceed as you are doing - visit to vet including spaying.. etc...

Im sure it will go well, you are on very good way with her.


Good luck!

If you're worried that she'll take off before her vet appointment again, can you lock her in the garage until then? At least you'll know where to find her, LOL.

i think if she's familiar with the garage and will be warm and safe there, then you might as well take her home. although that's nice the vet wasn't going to charge for an overnight stay (where do you live? i should move there). congratulations on getting her all taken care of. I have been around pregnant cats before, sometime their hormones make them especially friendly, almost like when they're in heat, so maybe that's why she's been rolling around, etc. or maybe she's just happy somebody's helping her

Congratulations on getting her to the vet, and I am so very relieved that they are getting her spayed. Thank God about that and you won't have to find homes and raise a litter of kittens now. That should be less off of your shoulders now too. It is nice of the vet to offer to keep her overnight and I would consider it only because since this was a more involved spay... sad to say. And she would be there at the vet in case she needs anything. ON the other hand, she would probably be more comfortable in the garage since that is home to her. But either way, you have an option which is good.

I am glad there is a good end to this story and I hope you can find her a good home too. What about the one kitten?? I know this is stressful, but you will feel so good about yourself for doing what you did and saving more lives to a life of uncertainty!!! GOOD JOB

SO GLAD you were able to get her to the vet without a problem! And how wonderful she was able to be spayed!

As to what to do now... are you sure there's no staff there overnight? Ask. Because our vet closes at 8:00pm and opens at 8:00am, but there is ALWAYS someone there to check on the animals. Someone in the hospital ALWAYS needs something - special feeding, medicine, to keep an eye on an IV line...

We always bring our pets that have been spayed home the same day, but those that have to be released, we always have them spend at least one night at the vet.

You might want to put a little potting soil in the cat litter if she's not used to a litter box. I've heard of that working, and my former stray really liked to use my plants as a litter box!