Pregnant stray help!

Ok I have a horse farm with 4 cats that are supposed to mouse for us but we feed them ALOT so they kinda slack off and its ok...we love them anyway haha. well thisfemale cat appeared one day a few weeks ago all of our cats are fixed (apparently she is not) she is pregnant, no idea how far along but the belly on this lil girl is BIG.  It's cold up here in NJ and i'm worried about a few things:

    1) the warmest place is the barn and theres no heat...will mom keep them warm?

    2) the other cats have just began letting her in the barn so idk how long that will even last will she have them outside?

    3) our other cats are males (one has lived at the farm for 14 years and is territorial, but will eventually accept new cats, usually...he does fight our neighbors cat when it wanders onto our property) will the other cats kill the babies?

bringing her home could be possible, i could figure out how to catch her(sensitive belly) or will nature play out and she'll keep them safe? Im a horse girl...not very cat savvy...help!!

The best is if you can take her in.

Not necessarily safety reasons, but this way you can ensure the kittens will be properly socialized from the beginning.  And will get much easier to find adoptive homes.

At the same time, you perhaps manage to socialize her too.

The mom will surely accept the situation being inside. Even if she is a real semiferale.

As soon as she realizes nobody is mean nor threating, she will cool down and copy. Cat moms are in much like human moms. It is not "freedom" most important, but the welfare of her children.

If you cant take her as she is, try to use some sort of human trap. Better than running chasing and catch as catch can.  .  

But do have gloves, thick clothes and protective googles at the catching and releasing her from the trap into her room. Just to be safe.  Let her cool down several hours, after it it is entirely safe.  She may hiss, she may even swat, but she wont attack you.

Otherwise, as they cats already accepted her somewhat, and lets her into the barn, it may perhaps work out. It probably will work out is my guess. The mom is a formidable defender if need be. Who knows, someone of them may perhaps even help her with the kittens?

Anyway, if taking her in directly under the shadow of your wings, into your flat, is an option for you, please do it.

Good you give them "a lot food".  They may be good mousers anyway!  If they are not, and you wouldnt give them food, they would starve to death.

Mousing is for cats in big part joy, not just hunting for food.  so they tend to either be good mousers, or they are not, it has really not so much to do with extra food.

Tx a lot for caring!

Good luck!    *vibes* to you and your horses and your cats!

ps. Welcome to the TCS site and our Forums!

I think it would be best to trap her right away and take her inside. She need to then get spayed after the kittens are weaned. The kittens will have a much better chance at finding homes and getting socialized is you do trap her and foster her and the kittens. I would contact a local rescue or foster network and see if you can get some assistance in finding the kittens good homes. I also have had horses for years and have taken in many cat's over the years. It really is the best way and the safest way to do this for mom cat and the kittens-to-be.


AND Welcome to the site Good luck :cross: