I (perhaps stupidly) starting feeding a stray that was hanging around our porch. She is now pregnant and I'm guessing going to deliver soon. When she went into heat the first time (which was a completely new experience to me) I immediately contacted local TNR places, since I didn't even know what sex she was until that point; however, she is not friendly enough to handle and now she's gotten downright nasty - she hisses and backs away pretty much every time I go on the porch, All the advice I see about dealing with pregnant ferals says "get her to the vet." I can't - I can't handle her, the local TNR place said I was on their list (but now it's much too late for this litter), and my husband is highly allergic so even if we could get her in the house, we can't. So finally to my question: what do I do with a pregnant aggressive stray on a concrete porch in February? I'm in the Mid-Atlantic; it gets pretty cold and we do have a shelter made from a tote with straw bedding. Do I wait until she's had the kittens and then try to get them to a shelter? Do I let nature take its course? Do I try to trap her after the birth? I don't want to keep repeating this scenario; I'd just as soon get her to a shelter as well, but no one will want her. I don't mind feeding one stray but if she's going to stay I'm going to have to trap and spay her. Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!
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Unfriendly (and now pregnant) stray on my porch..... help!
- Thread starter janezp
- Start Date
You're not a "stupid" person for taking care of a pregnant cat, you're nice, good hearted.
The porch is an okay place for a pregnant cat; the shelter you've made is good. If possible, I'd put out a larger box, with lots of blankets--her birthing box if you will. Leave out a lot of food (kitten food has more calories); she needs the calories before she's pregnant, not so much because it's chilly outside. (Other than a big belly, does she look thin? weight okay?
Also the cat may be scared more than agressive.
Also, FWIW: depending on the shelter/TNR organization, a cat can be spayed very late in pregnancy, the exception being if the vet thinks it will hurt the mother.
After she delivers, be advised that she can get pregnant very quickly thereafter, especially if she is outdoors. She may not want to mate, but any tom cat won't take no for an answer. (Look for more information in the pregnant and kitten forum.)
What state do you live in? I live in Annapolis, Maryland, work in Washington, DC, and am familiar with some of the TNR organizations and policies in this area.
The porch is an okay place for a pregnant cat; the shelter you've made is good. If possible, I'd put out a larger box, with lots of blankets--her birthing box if you will. Leave out a lot of food (kitten food has more calories); she needs the calories before she's pregnant, not so much because it's chilly outside. (Other than a big belly, does she look thin? weight okay?
Also the cat may be scared more than agressive.
Also, FWIW: depending on the shelter/TNR organization, a cat can be spayed very late in pregnancy, the exception being if the vet thinks it will hurt the mother.
After she delivers, be advised that she can get pregnant very quickly thereafter, especially if she is outdoors. She may not want to mate, but any tom cat won't take no for an answer. (Look for more information in the pregnant and kitten forum.)
What state do you live in? I live in Annapolis, Maryland, work in Washington, DC, and am familiar with some of the TNR organizations and policies in this area.
About takning in her and kittens to a shelter.
Beware!!! In most shelters she and her kittens would prob be immediately killed off. They would perhaps make a try with a friendly, dumped family girl. But with an aggressive /defensive semi-feral?? Nay.
Talk with them thoruoughly! Unless they do have foster home lined up and waiting, leaving to a shelter will be in practice just another way to kill them.
So, if it is possible, the practically best way to save them is in your place. Or at some friend of yours who agrees to help them. Where they will also hopefully foster and socialize at least the kittens. Dont forget to spay her after delivery...
The shelter at your porch should be OK.
She will prob get friendlier soon, as she understands you are the best practical bet for her and her kittens. She will surely still be defensive. It is her duty as mom. But she will cease to be directly aggressive against you, I think and hope. Just some hissings.
So even in a very late abort on cats, the fosters are not yet ready to live. And so they arent really killed by the abortion, "just" the growth ceases.
Human babies are much tougher here... They can live on their own also at quite early deliveries.
Good luck!
Beware!!! In most shelters she and her kittens would prob be immediately killed off. They would perhaps make a try with a friendly, dumped family girl. But with an aggressive /defensive semi-feral?? Nay.
Talk with them thoruoughly! Unless they do have foster home lined up and waiting, leaving to a shelter will be in practice just another way to kill them.
So, if it is possible, the practically best way to save them is in your place. Or at some friend of yours who agrees to help them. Where they will also hopefully foster and socialize at least the kittens. Dont forget to spay her after delivery...
The shelter at your porch should be OK.
She will prob get friendlier soon, as she understands you are the best practical bet for her and her kittens. She will surely still be defensive. It is her duty as mom. But she will cease to be directly aggressive against you, I think and hope. Just some hissings.
It is not nice, but it sounds worse than it is. Kittens dont manage premature deliveries. A couple three days early delivery and they are in direct danger of not surviving.
So even in a very late abort on cats, the fosters are not yet ready to live. And so they arent really killed by the abortion, "just" the growth ceases.
Human babies are much tougher here... They can live on their own also at quite early deliveries.
Good luck!
There's a good chance she won't have the kittens on your porch - mommy wants a safe, secure place for her nest. Your porch may not offer that, especially if there are tomcats in the area. Unless you know where the nest is, please don't trap her after they're born - they'll likely starve to death without her. If she has the kittens elsewhere, she may bring them to the porch for dinner when they are big enough but that means they'll have to be trapped too. The TNR group can work out the logistics with you.
When you say you are on the TNR group's list, do you mean they will take mommy and kittens? Hopefully, they can do that before the kittens are born. Better chance for the kittens to be socialized then.
Spaying her late in the pregnancy does mean the kittens won't be born. That might be the best choice if you are thinking of keeping mommy as an outside cat.
If you can't do that, then waiting for the TNR group is your only option at this point.
Good luck!
When you say you are on the TNR group's list, do you mean they will take mommy and kittens? Hopefully, they can do that before the kittens are born. Better chance for the kittens to be socialized then.
Spaying her late in the pregnancy does mean the kittens won't be born. That might be the best choice if you are thinking of keeping mommy as an outside cat.
If you can't do that, then waiting for the TNR group is your only option at this point.
Good luck!
ps I agree with Ritz - she may be more afraid that really wild. She's in a tough spot but if she's coming to your porch, she has some measure of trust in you.
great advice from the above posts, i totally agree with them.
i just wanted to make sure you did not miss StefanZs' caution -
also, just as Ritz mentioned being familiar with some of the TNR groups in her (his?) area, i am familiar with some of the ones in connecticut.
i just wanted to make sure you did not miss StefanZs' caution -
also, just as Ritz mentioned being familiar with some of the TNR groups in her (his?) area, i am familiar with some of the ones in connecticut.
Also, some states will put cats or kittens down if they are considered "outdoor" cats or kittens, feral or not. They do not necessarily state that but, a family member of mine who worked at a shelter when I lived in Florida had told me this. They are more likely to try to adopt "indoor" pets rather than "outdoor" pets, strays or ferals.About takning in her and kittens to a shelter.
Beware!!! In most shelters she and her kittens would prob be immediately killed off. They would perhaps make a try with a friendly, dumped family girl. But with an aggressive /defensive semi-feral?? Nay.
Talk with them thoruoughly! Unless they do have foster home lined up and waiting, leaving to a shelter will be in practice just another way to kill them.
So, if it is possible, the practically best way to save them is in your place. Or at some friend of yours who agrees to help them. Where they will also hopefully foster and socialize at least the kittens. Dont forget to spay her after delivery...
The shelter at your porch should be OK.
She will prob get friendlier soon, as she understands you are the best practical bet for her and her kittens. She will surely still be defensive. It is her duty as mom. But she will cease to be directly aggressive against you, I think and hope. Just some hissings.
It is not nice, but it sounds worse than it is. Kittens dont manage premature deliveries. A couple three days early delivery and they are in direct danger of not surviving.
So even in a very late abort on cats, the fosters are not yet ready to live. And so they arent really killed by the abortion, "just" the growth ceases.
Human babies are much tougher here... They can live on their own also at quite early deliveries.
Good luck!
It is absolutely fantastic that you are trying to help them. Also, Ritz is totally correct, vets will spay up until a certain time even when they are pregnant. The main thing is to get her spayed as soon as possible before or after she delivers especially if she is outside.
Kudos to you for helping! You have my respect.
You have some time to get the kittens spayed/neutered and find good homes. Good luck to you and the cat/kittens.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
Thanks everyone! I had cats growing up, and even though my husband is allergic and we can't have any pets now, I kind of like having an outdoor cat. She was just starting to get to trust me (she would come onto the porch even if I was there, and would sniff at my hand, although she backed away if I tried to pet her) -- and then she got pregnant. We caught her and the tom, who I'm not even sure is a stray, at the act in broad daylight in our yard. Anyway, she's gotten crankier as she's gotten more pregnant - by my research she should be delivering by the end of the month. I've spotted her lying on her side on the concrete (when she normally curls up in a padded chair), and her teats are more visible and pinkish. She hisses at me almost every time, but seems to put up with my husband (hussy!). I am fine with putting out food for her and kittens but would rather not have multiple mouths to feed.
I am in northern Delaware - Trapping Forgotten Cats says I am on their list for a call "in a few weeks" but I've heard nothing. And I think all they were going to help do is lend a trap and instructions, charge me $50 to spay and immunize the cat, and return her. I don't know if I can trap her now (pregnant), and I don't have a trap anyway. I've been told the DE Humane Society does not euthanize, but I believe the local SPCA does, and Faithful Friends is so full they are not taking cats or kittens. So at this point I am think we are about to have kittens on the porch, with nowhere to take them, no way to take them in, and no one I know who wants one. Anybody want a kitten???? :-) I will put a larger box with or towels/blankets out for her; she can at least have a comfortable place. The porch is (mostly) screened and well-protected; there are a few gaps in the screen we haven't bothered to fix because the raccoons just pull the screens off again to get on the porch. It's a very wooded area and we have all kinds of critters, although I have not seen them once the cat moved in. :-)
Thanks for your support and encouragement.
Jane
I am in northern Delaware - Trapping Forgotten Cats says I am on their list for a call "in a few weeks" but I've heard nothing. And I think all they were going to help do is lend a trap and instructions, charge me $50 to spay and immunize the cat, and return her. I don't know if I can trap her now (pregnant), and I don't have a trap anyway. I've been told the DE Humane Society does not euthanize, but I believe the local SPCA does, and Faithful Friends is so full they are not taking cats or kittens. So at this point I am think we are about to have kittens on the porch, with nowhere to take them, no way to take them in, and no one I know who wants one. Anybody want a kitten???? :-) I will put a larger box with or towels/blankets out for her; she can at least have a comfortable place. The porch is (mostly) screened and well-protected; there are a few gaps in the screen we haven't bothered to fix because the raccoons just pull the screens off again to get on the porch. It's a very wooded area and we have all kinds of critters, although I have not seen them once the cat moved in. :-)
Thanks for your support and encouragement.
Jane
if you are able to get a trap you will be surprised - it would probably be easy to get her as she has a voracious appetite right now. also, it can be a real pain to try and trap a mommie and numerous kittens. i have only done it twice - a mom and her 5 kittens and a mom and her two kittens. the one with 5 was actually easy, she basically led them into the trap but the other was a real pain in the rear.
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I've trapped 3 ferals in my back yard and the pregnant Mama was the easiest of the bunch. Went straight in first try - hunger is a powerful lure. Look for a local TNR support place that might lend you a trap for a few days? That's how I got started - google your town name and TNR/TNSR.
FYI if you don't succeed in trapping her until after the litter is born, resist trying to trap until about 8 weeks. You might not even see the kittens till about that time, and may see her come and relax and sit on your chair - she's just taking a break from them and going back to them, so allow them to be old enough to be weaned before you trap her as that might take a day or two away.
FYI if you don't succeed in trapping her until after the litter is born, resist trying to trap until about 8 weeks. You might not even see the kittens till about that time, and may see her come and relax and sit on your chair - she's just taking a break from them and going back to them, so allow them to be old enough to be weaned before you trap her as that might take a day or two away.
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