kitten problem

The place where I board my horse is a popular place to drop of cats that are no longer wanted. There is no catch neuter and release programs in this part of the world so basically kittens are common. Recently a very young cat (I'd say around a year if that) had three kittens. There are not a lot of people are in the summer and they were in a different barn. I just noticed them a week ago suntanning. It is the first i saw them.

The mom is wary of humans and so far too smart for a trap apparently. so her fate I don't have much control over.

I have no idea how old the kittens are. A few days ago I convinced one I wasn't an ogre and caught it. It was just bones. I could cup the kitten in my hand but it is scaling walls, running fast, and has eyes wide open. The mom was quite fine with me playing with her kitten (it warmed up to me swiftly and enjoyed chasing a piece of straw.)

I want to find them good homes. I realize they need socialization but I don't want to take them away from their mom too early. I considered taking them and giving them kitten formula with kitten food but I feel guilty separating them to early. On the other hand the kitten was so thin and bonded with me so swiftly that I wondered if they would be better off being socialized now.

Yes, if you intend to socialize the kittens of a feral mamacat, you need to take them when they're still too young--5 or 6 weeks old. If they have each other, they should be OK, it's not ideal taking them away from mama at that age but they'll grow up wild if you don't.

There are never any TNR programs until someone starts one, ya know .

Originally Posted by Willowy

Yes, if you intend to socialize the kittens of a feral mamacat, you need to take them when they're still too young--5 or 6 weeks old. If they have each other, they should be OK, it's not ideal taking them away from mama at that age but they'll grow up wild if you don't.

There are never any TNR programs until someone starts one, ya know

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Yes I know, and I have been thinking about it. But people around here are pretty swift with a bullet. I'm thinking of talking with our local vet clinics and SPCA. I know that the SPCA gives people a certificate so that you can get your cat fixed for only $20 male or female. I am hoping to expand on that. I think one reason is that I live in a very cold climate and the same cats don't often survive the winter. Its not really a feral cat friendly environment. But that is a whole other story.

I love cats and I hate how they are overlooked. It breaks my heart to think of these kittens growing up to the same fate as their mamma. I think I'll go get them right now, lol. (actually I better wait until morning...)

Originally Posted by heidik

I want to find them good homes. I realize they need socialization but I don't want to take them away from their mom too early. I considered taking them and giving them kitten formula with kitten food but I feel guilty separating them to early. On the other hand the kitten was so thin and bonded with me so swiftly that I wondered if they would be better off being socialized now.

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This here is one of the exceptions (THE exception?) from the 10-12 weeks rule. IF they do have a good home waiting, and the mom is feral - take them when you can even if it is before 10 weeks. 6 weeks is good... 5 may be ok. Younger than this - only difficult for the adopting home...

It is of course splendid if the waiting home does have an adult, friendly cat who may be their aunt or uncle and help in the fostering. Or perhaps even their new Ma. This is always a plus when considering. Even a cat friendly dog is better than nothing. But often you must do with peoples good will.


A not so uncommon mistake is to take them into a shelter, or such, and begin to seek after a home... It may be OK if the shelter = a good foster home. But if it is just a typical shelter = big room somewhere, or a group of big cages or even small cages, at best attended twice a day - not so good.
This way they dont have moma, perhaps not even siblings - and no real fostering either...

So - you do have homes or good fosters waiting - go on!

You dont really have anything: Let them be together....


Tx for caring

Good luck!



ps. Welcome to the Forums!

Originally Posted by heidik

Yes I know, and I have been thinking about it. But people around here are pretty swift with a bullet. I'm thinking of talking with our local vet clinics and SPCA. I know that the SPCA gives people a certificate so that you can get your cat fixed for only $20 male or female. I am hoping to expand on that. I think one reason is that I live in a very cold climate and the same cats don't often survive the winter. Its not really a feral cat friendly environment. But that is a whole other story.

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Yes, this is a problem. Mercy shooting may be the least bad solution on say, abandoned cats who are on the way to slowly die off, and clearly no help available. But when it is done on the surviving cats, who DID already survived the harsh winter - it is at best a mistake in thinking. At worst - a sin. Sorrowfully, this thinking is quite common in north Sweden... "Too cold for TNR" - and shooting the survivors... Of course, we dont have much traditons of TNR, this being somewhat common first in very recent years.

So - I hope you want to proceed on your thoughs of starting a TNR group!
Good if you find some too cooperate with - active members, and also passive members. You DO have SPCA and the 20-bucks vouchers - very good, a big part of the problem is already solved.
Cold climate is a problem, but no unsolvable problem.
We do have TNR- members from Alaska, and northern parts of the USA and other cold countries. They tell about digging tunnels in 1-2 meter deep snow, in minus 20 celsius, to get to the cat-cottages, where their TNR-ed protegÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]es live...
So the cold climate is no real no-no.

Of course, the real problem with people quick to shoot, combined with TNR, is them shooting not only the slowly dying, freshy abandoned cats. But also the cats already in the programme, the TNR:ed who do gets help. The little clip out of their ears, always done when neutered, may perhaps be a help? This way it is visible they ARE the survivors, and they ARE getting help, and someone caring for them. So. Combine the TNR with an info campaing...

Good luck!

thank you so much everyone for your advice. I am definitely looking up on the catch and release thing. The first time I heard of it I thought that was the best thing ever. I have also told a lot of people to look into the cheap fix thing.


my mom thinks the kittens are only four weeks and starving. I think they are older because I've seen them and they are very coordinated and stable on their feet. I picked them up this morning as they had moved into my tack room. the one I already held is super friendly and frisky. the mother was sitting in the barn later today looking a little lost. She is long hair but you can see she is skin and bones so I hope she picks up now.

I will have homes for them. There actually isn't as many kittens around here as there once was so friendly, litter trained cats are not to hard to place. two already possibly have homes when they are older. I want to introduce my cat to them because everytime we have had kittens around she has warmed up quickly and been very mothering.

Originally Posted by heidik

my mom thinks the kittens are only four weeks and starving. I think they are older because I've seen them and they are very coordinated and stable on their feet.

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Yes, if they are low on food they will be smaller than other kittens their age who do get normal, good food.
So you are surely right. (or both you and your ma are right).

The cat momma doesnt sound really feral. A real feral woulndt warm up so quickly. She was prob dumped, although it may have been some time ago.


Good luck!

Just want to chime in that I am so thankful to hear stories like this about kind-hearted people such as yourself stepping up to help stray cats. Those kittens sounded like they needed to be saved and very soon if they were to survive..... Mom also sounds like she needs saving too. If she is skin and bones, she needs someone to help her. Can you try to befriend her?? And take her to her kittens, then maybe you could find her a place/foster/rescue?? I also used to own a horse for many, many years, and rescued many a barn cat and kittens as well. It seems to be a never-ending problem especially at horse barns. And, yes, you are right, people dump unwanted cats all the time at barn. The mom might be an abandoned cat and is just skittish and fearful from her ordeal. Please keep updating, we care

The kittens have completely stopped pooping straw. They are using their litter and have normal looking little poops. The one has an eye infection so we have been using a damp cotton ball to wash the goo away. It is the long weekend here and so I guess that is why the vet clinics were closed Saturday. I have to wait until Tuesday to take them in.

We have a very good small animal vet that I am well acquainted with who does things at as low of cost as possible. We had a cat get a lump on her leg after her FLV shot and he persued the company that made the shots and they paid for the surgery. But I digress...

I do plan to pursue things with the mother cat. She is on my mind and I cannot stop thinking of her!

a picture.

A very nice, even beautiful photo. Also technically very good.

You can use it for a painting, or for an ad or so - any day...


Why, take it out on paper, and hang up. So your grandchildren will have a nice memory of their good hearted ancestor.




Good luck!

OH MY are they ever beautiful little kittens . Just warms my heart that you have saved them. And I am relieved to hear you can help the mother as well. I am sure she is very concerned about where her kittens are. Sounds like a great, empathetic vet who is willing to help with the needy strays . We need more of vets like that . Good luck at the vet tomorrow with the kittens

Vet clinics booked up except for emergency. So that is on hold this week. The mom cat is definitely an abandoned kitty as she really wants be my friend. She alternates between hissing and purring and kneading when I tried to get close. Watched her eat today. The orange Tom cat (who is wild, wild wild) was around today. I am hoping tomorrow night I can pet her. I got very close today. I just feel panicy that she'll move on. She is a beautiful cat.

If I catch her do you recommend me putting her back with kitties? or is it too late for that? Will they lose the progress they made on being tamed?

The darkest one and the one I initially caught is greeting me and rolling onto his back for a tummy rub. He also cries when I leave. Definitely can say he is socialized. The girl is still very timid but she is starting to enjoy sitting on my lap. The other boy isn't as timid but he doesn't seem as interested in us.

All in all it is going really well. I definitely am going to have homes for them. I am just making sure that they go to homes that will get them fixed and not get bored of them when they hit adult stage.

AWWWWW to you for what you are doing . Absolutely, if you can get that mom cat today or any day soon you can put her in with the kittens. I would bring out a good size crate and start feeding her in there. Since she is getting so comfortable with you (that kneading is a real positive sign, she wants to be loved) then she should easily start to eat in that crate and then you can quickly/quietly shut her in. I don't think she will make the kittens regress, especially the one who is already so friendly and loving. Anyway, that is what I would do. I bet mom cat will come around quickly as well once you have her in with the kittens and she learns to trust you. I bet it will only be a matter of a couple of days. She is definitely not feral. Just an abandoned, scared kitty who has been on her own for quite some time and is just a bit leary. If my cat, Perla, ever got lost, she would be terrified of people and she was also born in a horse barn, not feral. But she didn't have constant human attention as a baby though. So that could be why she is so afraid of people . Keep updating and much luck to you that you can catch her very soon, poor darling

What a wonderful thing you're doing! I don't have any advice to add... just wanted to say thanks and send you lots of good vibes for working with the babies and catching mom to reunite them!

I have momma cat. Too late for her and the kittens to be together but I caught her. Two weeks later. She is soo tiny. I will upload a picture when I get a chance. I was directed to contact the vet clinic as they can contact the "feral cat lady" in our area. She helps people out with spaydings. So hopefully I can work with her to get spayding certificates on these guys and the mother done and released back at her home. Crossing my fingers.

I have six cats in my house right now. My poor father who we rent it from. (actually he doesn't know yet about the mommy...)

Fantastic news. I am so glad she is your care for the moment and will get good food, be spayed, and hopefully start putting on weight. You are just wonderful . Hopefully if you dad does find out, he will understand the good you are doing

Originally Posted by heidik

My poor father who we rent it from. (actually he doesn't know yet about the mommy...)

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Ah, so you CAN make a pleasant surprise! Do donate her to him, as a gift! If he dosnt want to foster and adopt her, tell him it is more than enough he does patronate her, when she returns to live in the free.
He can himself choose if he want to feel as godfather to her, or her sponsor.

Adopting someone of her children is also a good sponsoring.

Well the girl kitty went to a new home today. I actually had a woman, who can only be described with words not allowed on the forum, come and look at the kitties and say they were too big. I was like What the...? seriously, they are now only at the most eight or nine weeks. seriously... Besides the fact that kittens grow so fast... sure get a tiny four week old kitty. guess what a week later they will be bigger. Then get rid of them as adults... Okay, it made me mad, I'm done.

The cat's are scheduled to go to the SPCA next month but I need to get them to bump it up. The person who was going to stay at our house while I was gone can't so I can't have these kitties at the end of the month. I know if the SPCA just takes them they'll be gone in a few weeks. Adopting kittens is by far cheaper as it is only $100 with a neutering/spaying certificate. paying full price is up to $400. yikes.

We have a very good SPCA that though doesn't have a no kill policy doesn't do it immediately. They actually raised money for an 11 year old dog to get dental surgery!

I wish I had a farm because I would just keep them. lol.