So here's the deal. My wife and I recently moved temporarily (10 months) to a remote town in East Borneo, Indonesia. Even though pets are somewhat common here, stray cats are EVERYWHERE (and smaller than cats in the US! Maybe the lack of food gives that impression?). My house has a small front yard, filled with bushes and grass that grow fast and furious. I recently realized that at least three kittens hang out there, playing around, being adorable. They are not aware of my presence, and when they are they are usually scared and they jump the fence and go away. There is a cat with them, I suppose their mother, and I think one or two more cats that sometimes drop by to visit the kitten's crib. (I guess I'm invading their house here).
Anyway... I am a little bit far out there, so a trip to the vet is not a possibility. I do not know if the kittens are carrying deceases, if their health is ok, or if their nutrition is ok. I am pretty sure that they feed, if not mainly, most of the times on garbage. Maybe they are also predators?
I also have not tried to feed them, because I don't know if that would be a good idea: I don't want to create a dependency if I'll leave in 10 months. But I do want to approach them, and pet them, and take care of them as much as I can without compromising their future.
So my question is this: how can I help them? Is there anything I can do to make sure they are ok without the vet part? Would it be a mistake to feed them? How can I get close to them? Or approaching them and trying to create a connection would be wrong and dangerous for them?
I've never had a cat as a pet before, so I'm not really aware of their behaviour. Any info will help.
Thanks!
Anyway... I am a little bit far out there, so a trip to the vet is not a possibility. I do not know if the kittens are carrying deceases, if their health is ok, or if their nutrition is ok. I am pretty sure that they feed, if not mainly, most of the times on garbage. Maybe they are also predators?
I also have not tried to feed them, because I don't know if that would be a good idea: I don't want to create a dependency if I'll leave in 10 months. But I do want to approach them, and pet them, and take care of them as much as I can without compromising their future.
So my question is this: how can I help them? Is there anything I can do to make sure they are ok without the vet part? Would it be a mistake to feed them? How can I get close to them? Or approaching them and trying to create a connection would be wrong and dangerous for them?
I've never had a cat as a pet before, so I'm not really aware of their behaviour. Any info will help.
Thanks!