Hey everyone. I'm new to the site and could really use some sane support with 2 feral kittens I'm taking care of. They are NOT inside because my husband refuses to let me take them in or get them neutered (I have confirmed both are boys) & vaccinated if it's going to cost us money and we already have 2 cats with a baby on the way. He basically put his foot down even though I KNOW these 2 can be socialized and already are becoming friendly with me. I told him I didn't want to keep them, but just socialize them more so they can be adopted out to good homes. He said "Well try to find them homes still but don't bring them inside." Easier said than done...and no one wants to adopt a cat that has been outside and hasn't gone to a vet. They try to get in the house every single day and have succeeded a few times. I have to block the door with my whole body when feeding them in the morning. I have provided 2 shelters for them and they road out Hurricane Sandy in the main one beautifully with barely any water getting into their home. They also have a small scratcher and a few toys out there along with blankets they love to lay on during the day.
My issue, we're a military family and will eventually move in 2 years or so. These cats were originally with their mom, but shortly before the hurricane she vanished with her other 2 kittens and didn't come back for quite a few weeks. Now she only stops by occasionally to check to see if I'll give her food and the kittens don't realize who she is anymore. Another issue, our next door neighbors are threatening to call animal control on the cats because it "upsets their dog". The dog will bark even if I'm out in the backyard so it's not just a cat issue in my opinion. I just don't know what to do. If I continue to feed them they will stay and the next owners/renters will have to deal with them which they may not like. But I can't just stop feeding them. They are still young and their mom never taught them how to hunt. Sure they can catch their own bugs, but that's about it. Seriously, I watched a squirrel basically run around the backyard and all they did was watch it, they showed no signs of even wanting to stalk it. I guess I'm hoping that if I can find a vet that will do low-cost vaccinations/neutering for both of them I can potentially get them adopted to someone who's willing to work with them and be patient.
I've already tried all of the no kill shelters in my area to see if they would take them, and every single place has an insane wait-list and won't put the black & white kitten on it, just the grey one. I'm not about to let that happen and don't understand why they won't wait-list black/black & white cats. It's just not right in my opinion.
Sorry I've pretty much written a book. I have just been wracking my brain over and over trying to figure out some solution for these 2 and it's driving me crazy that every "lead" comes up at a dead end.
My issue, we're a military family and will eventually move in 2 years or so. These cats were originally with their mom, but shortly before the hurricane she vanished with her other 2 kittens and didn't come back for quite a few weeks. Now she only stops by occasionally to check to see if I'll give her food and the kittens don't realize who she is anymore. Another issue, our next door neighbors are threatening to call animal control on the cats because it "upsets their dog". The dog will bark even if I'm out in the backyard so it's not just a cat issue in my opinion. I just don't know what to do. If I continue to feed them they will stay and the next owners/renters will have to deal with them which they may not like. But I can't just stop feeding them. They are still young and their mom never taught them how to hunt. Sure they can catch their own bugs, but that's about it. Seriously, I watched a squirrel basically run around the backyard and all they did was watch it, they showed no signs of even wanting to stalk it. I guess I'm hoping that if I can find a vet that will do low-cost vaccinations/neutering for both of them I can potentially get them adopted to someone who's willing to work with them and be patient.
I've already tried all of the no kill shelters in my area to see if they would take them, and every single place has an insane wait-list and won't put the black & white kitten on it, just the grey one. I'm not about to let that happen and don't understand why they won't wait-list black/black & white cats. It's just not right in my opinion.
Sorry I've pretty much written a book. I have just been wracking my brain over and over trying to figure out some solution for these 2 and it's driving me crazy that every "lead" comes up at a dead end.
