Rescuing kittens

feralvr

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YAY!!! And then there were four !!! :clap::clap: This man does sound so very kind hearted and caring. If they are a bit older then even if there is one straggler under the shed, he/she should be able to survive for some hours before he/she gets reunited with momma cat. :cross: I am so relieved to read this update!! :vibes::vibes::vibes: that he has ALL of the kittens.

I am hoping that this cat IS a lost stray and will come around once she knows her babies are safe and that you will be caring for her AND them. Will just have to wait and see once you get them all to your place. IF she is truly a feral cat and you must release her, I might consider releasing her back to her territory if at all possible. She must have somehow been surviving and thriving where she was found. Maybe another person has been feeding cats :dk: IF you do decide to release her in your back yard - I would suggest keeping her in a large dog crate outside - on your back deck, back porch, an area that is protected from weather for a good week or so. That way she will acclimate to your back yard, the smells, the sights, etc. Have a feeding shelter/station all set up near where her crate is. It is very, very possible that when you release her, she will take off and you will never see her again. :sigh: I have had this happen quite a few times and it always made me so sad. The best scenario is to return her to where she lived and survived. Her chances of survival will be greater there than if she takes off looking for her old territory from your place. Let's just hope that she is NOT a feral cat :cross: Continuing vibes for ALL of those kittens!! :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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clynn11

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Tell me- what are the traits of feral cats? Momma and babies are with me now- and she hasn't hissed at me once. I mean, she looks HORRIFIED, and backs away as far as she can- but I held her babies in plain view and she didn't flip. I kind of think she's had some sort of human interaction but that she's just horribly freaked out! Anyone had a complete feral act like this before? I always thought hissing and spitting came along with them lmao.

And the babies are soooo beautiful! 2 little tortie girls- SLH, 1 b&w tuxedo girl- SH, and 1 all black/brown- SLH. Sooo cute and fluffy. And I love when they hiss at me!!! Hehehe.
 

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Feral cat moms (can) act very differently when there are babies involved. :nod: Some feral cats moms become quite loving when you bring them in and they have their babies. :rub: I really don't think you'll be able to tell whether she's adoptable or not until the babies are older and more independent.

But that's great she's not aggressively "defending" her babies! That makes it a lot easier on you! :lol3: :heart2: :D :hugs: :rub:
 
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clynn11

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Here's the new little family. Decided to name them after my favorite trilogy by Libba Bray. Momma is going to be named Libba, the creator of the other three. 



The adventurous Gemma:



Independent leader- Felicity:



The quiet, shy one- Ann:



And the only boy! Kartik:

 
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clynn11

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How old do you all think they look? Their eyes are changing color but they're still so small so I am confused.
 

feralvr

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OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD :thud: :thud: You post has made my night - from last night, the complete worry for these babies to NOW - with them safe and sound with you!!! :woohoo: :dance: :high5: They are absolutely PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think they are about four weeks! You can pick their birthday!!!! :bday: I just love them all, especially the little boy Kartik :kitty2: AND LIbba - what a beauty!!! Honestly the look in her eye is not typical feral to me. AND she is not crouching WAY down with that complete look of fear. OMgosh, this would be wonderful and I don't want to jump the gun and say she is not feral - but from what you describe, I think she has had human contact before :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: Let's hope for that for sure. She is so pretty and I bet on the days to come she will see you tending to her and her babies and will start to trust you. So glad you have then with you safe and sound. :clap::clap::clap::clap:
 
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feralvr

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OH I can't stand the cuteness..... they are ALL so precious. You certainly do have a full house - but a house full of cutness :lol: :rub: Hope they all continue to thrive with you and that they all find loving furrever homes fast. :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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clynn11

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So there is a couch up against the wall in this side room I have them in, she somehow managed to squeeze behind it and made that her safe area. I don't know if this is good or not.. I didn't want to pull the couch out and freak her out anymore than she already is. I come out many times and look through the window in the room to see her out in the open, grooming herself, using the litterbox, eating the wet and dry food I left her. I had the babies in a larger box but they are crazy little things and always manage to get out and I have no idea how to keep them contained so they go behind the couch with momma. They do come out to me though for petting and love already. They're all little purr monsters- SO LOUD and constantly once you touch them. In the past 8 hours momma cat has also started doing a low growl whenever I softly speak inside the room. Is this because she's getting more comfortable and letting me know she doesn't want me there, in comparison to her being completely silent and wide eyed the first 24 hours? I know there's definitely some flaws in my room and my attempts right now, but I figure anything is better than beneath that mans shed or at the pound.
 

catnamedpanda

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I'm so glad this turned out well. Your new little family is so cute! Now you are like me with a house full of kittens.
 

feralvr

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So there is a couch up against the wall in this side room I have them in, she somehow managed to squeeze behind it and made that her safe area. I don't know if this is good or not.. I didn't want to pull the couch out and freak her out anymore than she already is. I come out many times and look through the window in the room to see her out in the open, grooming herself, using the litterbox, eating the wet and dry food I left her. I had the babies in a larger box but they are crazy little things and always manage to get out and I have no idea how to keep them contained so they go behind the couch with momma. They do come out to me though for petting and love already. They're all little purr monsters- SO LOUD and constantly once you touch them. In the past 8 hours momma cat has also started doing a low growl whenever I softly speak inside the room. Is this because she's getting more comfortable and letting me know she doesn't want me there, in comparison to her being completely silent and wide eyed the first 24 hours? I know there's definitely some flaws in my room and my attempts right now, but I figure anything is better than beneath that mans shed or at the pound.
Hun, absolutely anything is better than what they had before. AND put yourself in the momma's shoes..... her life has totally been turned upside down not only for herself but for her babies. So yes, you are exactly right, the growling is actually a good sigh :lol3: Better than quiet for sure. Totally normal behavior from her and just expect this. Don't mind it, and just go about your business caring for them and holding those kittens!!!!!!!!!!! They are so precious. As the days go on, you will see both mom and kittens starting to settle in and beginning to enjoy the love and attention they are receiving. Right now, mom is feeling a bit defensive and unsure of what is going to happen to her and her kittens. Day by day things will become a routine. I am so glad to hear that the kittens are so loving and wanting pets :clap::clap::clap::clap: Your doing just AWESOME!!!!!!! :bigthumb: ;)
 

catnamedpanda

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Hun, absolutely anything is better than what they had before. AND put yourself in the momma's shoes..... her life has totally been turned upside down not only for herself but for her babies. So yes, you are exactly right, the growling is actually a good sigh
Better than quiet for sure. Totally normal behavior from her and just expect this. Don't mind it, and just go about your business caring for them and holding those kittens!!!!!!!!!!! They are so precious. As the days go on, you will see both mom and kittens starting to settle in and beginning to enjoy the love and attention they are receiving. Right now, mom is feeling a bit defensive and unsure of what is going to happen to her and her kittens. Day by day things will become a routine. I am so glad to hear that the kittens are so loving and wanting pets
Your doing just AWESOME!!!!!!!
I somehow missed your post earlier, but I agree.
 
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clynn11

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Well, little update here: The kittens are completely social now. They come running when they hear my voice and always try to scale my jeans to get as close to my face as possible. They absolutely love being held and pet, and purr like crazy. The only time they ever hissed at me was the first three hours after the rescue had taken place. After that they turned to little cuddle bugs. Momma cat has been venturing out more, she's found a spot next to the door, and every time I walk up to open up she sees me through the window, hisses, then run backs behind the couch. She only growls about a quarter of the time when im in there talking, and i've found her peeking at me from behind the couch while i'm loving on her babies. Last night she even came out far enough to eat wet food in front of me, and watched me as her babies crawled all over me and played with me. Then she caught me watching her and retreated again. I try to look down and blink slowly which i've read on here to do.. any other tips for making her feel less threatened by me?
 

feralvr

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WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love this update. AW the kitten's are SOO loving :clap::clap::clap: AND guess what - you are putting your smell ALL over them :woohoo: SOOOOO momma kitty is already getting a good dose of your scent daily. This IS the best thing you can do. You can even leave a slept in t-shirt in her bed with your scent on it. But I really think that the fact that you are loving her kittens so passionately, she will learn to trust you more and more as the days go on. :cross: You could also start using some kitty toys and wand toys ( BUT DON'T leave the wand toys in that room!!!!!!! The string - :nono: ) Anyway, see about having some play sessions with the kittens and mom just might join in someday :bigwink: I am SO happy for the joyful, upbeat update :clap::clap::clap::clap: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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