advice needed for "feral" litter captured.

We have been feeding a feral pregnant cat for about 6 months and she delivered a litter of 5 kittens under our neighbor's deck 5 weeks ago. She has been very friendly, allowing her to rub her pregnant belly and coming into the house to eat 2 times a day. We have been visiting the kittens and feeding mom right outside her "home" and building her confidence and trust. Tonight we were able to take all the kittens and bring them into our house into a "kitten nursery". We have been in touch with our local rescue group and they will be doing well kitten checks shortly and we are hoping to get mom there also for some "fixing". The issue is that right now, mom is still outside and I am not sure she knows where the kittens are. I just hate thinking about her being frantic about their disappearance.  I am hoping she will appear for her regular feeding either tonight or in the morning and she will be reunited with them. In the meantime, any suggestions? I am hoping she will choose to remain in the house with them but either way we are committed to helping these cuties become socialized and adopted into some good forever homes. If mom chooses to stay and we can fix her, we would love for her to join us. We have 2 older cats (13+) who have not minded mom passing by but we are keeping them separate until we have mom's health cleared as I would not want to expose our seniors to any germs or parasites. Thanks!

You do have a very sound planes!  Splendid!  The only if there is any way to hasten her coming to your place and reuniting with her children, or at least make her understand the kittens are with you and safe.

Do you see her outside?  If yes, you could perhaps make some sort of scent track leading into your home.

Say, have some cloth on the kittens, taking down their scent.  And present this cloth to the friendly mom, perhaps it will be enough for her to follow you.  Thinking high...

Lets hope others fill in.

Proceed to report and ask question!   Pics are also welcomed.

Welcome to the TCS site and our  Forums!

Good luck!    *vibes*

Hi,
Mom is back and has nursed the kittens in the house. She keeps coming and going but the kittens seem very happy playing in and around the houses and climbers we have set up for them. Hopefully she will settle in also and once we het her fixed perhaps she will be happier relaxing inside..... Will post pictures ASAP. Thanks so much!

Wonderful of you to take all of the kittens in and you have an excellent plan. Good for you! I would also ask if you could try to keep mom cat inside with the kittens right now until you can get her to the vet for her spay. This is very important. She will be in heat and will be bred probably very soon. So best to keep her inside even if she is not happy about that. The kittens still need her anyway for another two weeks or so and then she can be spayed then. She is not a feral cat since she is so friendly with you and I bet she would make a lovely house cat!!! Best of luck! Your doing a great job !!!! Please do post some ix:

I am planning to contact the local rescue group tomorrow to see when mom can be spayed. Unfortunately, I am afraid to lock her in for the night as I am not sure what she would do to the room. I know it's risky but.....
She nurses them frequently and they also seem to be willing to eat both canned and dry kitten food. They all have been using the litter box (filled with corn litter). We will see what tomorrow brings as it is a work day.....
Will have to figure out how to post photos here for you all.....
Thanks for the suggestions and support!

etobin61 said:

I am planning to contact the local rescue group tomorrow to see when mom can be spayed. Unfortunately, I am afraid to lock her in for the night as I am not sure what she would do to the room. I know it's risky but.....
She nurses them frequently and they also seem to be willing to eat both canned and dry kitten food. They all have been using the litter box (filled with corn litter). We will see what tomorrow brings as it is a work day.....
Will have to figure out how to post photos here for you all.....
Thanks for the suggestions and support!

Click to expand...

If she does get pregnant during the time she is outside, please have her spayed and the kittens aborted. It is best for everyone involved. Also, cats can get pregnant while nursing so she may very well be on her way to another litter already.

Keep us posted.