Possibly feral cat + kittens in garage

Like the title says, last night at around midnight, I went into my garage and heard something shuffling around in a small box on one of the low shelves. I took a flashlight and found a black mother cat with some kittens. I think there's at least 3, and they look very young. I'm not sure if their eyes are even open yet. I fed her that night, and I fed her again this morning. I sat and watched her eat this morning, and she ate very quickly, while keeping her eye on me. I tried getting close to get a better look in the box while she wasn't in it, but she kind of growled at me. 

The box they're in is pretty small. the mother cat takes up most of it. It has high enough edges so the kittens wont fall out though. I'm thinking about putting a bigger box with a blanket out there, so maybe she'll move the kittens into that one. I'm guessing she is feral because earlier in the year, I would catch her eating out of the garbage cans at night and early in the morning. She also doesn't have a collar, and seems pretty skittish towards humans. I know I should probably take her to the vet, but I just moved from home into this apartment, and I'm on a very tight budget as it is. 

Any tips on what to do would be appreciated!  

Your plan looks good for a beginning.

A safe dry place, food, some protection from predators and evil people...  For a homeless cat this is very much. Making the difference.

Help the mom, so will she take care of the kittens.

She will surely stay with you now when she found a friendly place.  She was propably forced to leave her earlier nest. Perhaps even lost some kitten back there.  So she is grateful.

Some growling is her duty as a protective mother, but it will surely be better with time.

You dont need to go to the vet with her immediately. A little later you shall want to spay her, of course.   Observe there is some risk she may get pregnant quite soon anew now.  But Im not sure what you can do about it.... Easier if you do had her inside, at home. Or the garage was locked.

You shall also want to deworm her and her kittens in a couple of weeks.  Which dewormers to use shall we take in some later post.

Btw, you probably want to deparasitate her as soon as practically possible. For example fleas.  Revolution drop on is useful. It takes all parasites and most worms.  You just drop on a drop on the neck, behind the skull, so they cant lick off easily...   Im not sure if you can use it on the small kittens, but you can use it on the mom.

What food are you giving her?  The main principle is it shall be high in animal proteins and fat. So kitten dry food, of wet food of good quality are the best.   And fresh water of course. Plenty. As she is lactacting she does need more water than usual.

A litter, so she doesnt need to go outside so often.

Dont give cow milk, as you are not sure she manages cow milk (some cats dont and get diarrhea). But processed milk, like plain youghurt or cheese, are usually OK. Goat milk is safe and OK.

We usually recommend to weigh kittens every day, but if you dont manage it or dont feel for it, we understand.

Tx for caring, and helping these little bro and sisters of ours!

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!

ps.  What you exactly do, depends of course on what you can and want.

This with garage and some food is ok if you dont cant more, or as a beginning.

But the best is of course you can take her and the litter in. (easier then one thinks!).  Giving sure protection, fostering the kittens into normal socialized kittens, and hopefully, with a little luck, fostering the mom too. Esp if she wasnt really semiferal, but a dumped ex familygirl.

Good luck!

I fed her again earlier today and once she saw the food she seems to loosen up a little. She ate it very quickly once again, and afterwards she wandered around the garage meowing and growling a bit, like she wanted more. She also seemed to be marking some of the boxes in the garage with her scent. After she ate, she'd rub against boxes, and then point her bottom at it, like male cats do when they spray.

I can't really check the kittens, because she growls when I get near, and I know how much damage a mother protecting her babies can do. They're in a spot that's hard to get a good look unless you're close to them. I can't afford to keep them, so I more than likely will end up having to take them to a shelter. Will they expect me to take it to the vet first? I can't afford that. I also heard that they wont take feral cats, or that the euthanize them quickly after they are brought in. 

Are there any cat or animal rescue groups where you are. You are right. Depending on the jurisdiction, some so called animal care /control centres do not treat Gerald equally. But many places -even small communities - have clinics that will spay and neuter for a very small fee or none at all if they can help. Check the Internet and the phone book and ask what their policies are. You do not have to tell themvyou have a cat. Just ask. and see what they say and go from there. Can you possibly keep one kitten yourself? Some places again will help with s //n and you are already buying food. I know vet care can add up but you can find bets who are often willingcto work out arrangements. I understand -it is wonderful what you are doing now. Thank you and good luck!!

Thank you for the replies. It's too late to call anyone today, but I will do it first thing tomorrow. 

Just as an update: I got a better look at the kittens today. It doesn't look like their eyes are open, and their ears are curled a bit. I researched a little and it seems like they're in their first week of being born. They're still in a rather cramped uncomfortable box. I'd like to move them to the bigger box I set up with a few towels in it, but I don't want to make the mother abandon them at such a young age.

Also today a very friendly gray cat came into my house when the door was open, and starting meowing and rubbing on my leg repeatedly. I think it could be the father cat, but I'm not really sure of it's gender because it wouldn't sit still. It does have the same coloring as one of the babies, though. I'm keeping him out of my house though, mainly because I can barely feed the mother enough as it is. 

sxeaaron said:

I also heard that they wont take feral cats, or that the euthanize them quickly after they are brought in. 

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 Nay, dont leave them to a shelter, unless it is known as they do take care of semiferales too, and you get clear and safe assurances. Most common shelters are The Death for semiferales.

If you want them to live, you must help them yourself. Or find a group who DO help semiferales/homeless.  The mom, and the fate, did chose you. YOU are the Chosen one.  

But you can try and contact the shelter anyway.  It happens they are willing to help you some, say with vet costs, if YOU are having them as fosters.  As the biggest problem for most shelter is not always money, but place as such. Place, and care, is their thigh(spelling?) point.

Or they can perhaps advise you to low cost clinics or rescuing groups.

Otherwise, there are low costs vets if one knows where to seek.

Mom wont abandon them because you are giving them new nest.  Or try to take them inside your flat.

The welfare of her children is most important for her, not the "freedom" as such. Exactly like a human mom.  So she will copy and adapt to most of what you do, as long it is done respectfully.

That is why it is usually possible to have semiferale moms with her kittens inside, without any real problems.

Her marking the territory is a nice illustration she has now accepted your garage as her safe place.

How is it, is the garage closed now?  Can other cats, or predators, come inside?

If the garage is safe, you can use it as her room, no problems.   

Although it may be easier to foster her kittens if they are inside, in your rooms.

Report and come back with questions!

Good luck!

The garage is safe. The doors are always shut, and I don't even park my car in it. It's just storage. I ended up picking up the babies today, there's two. They look pretty healthy. I moved them to what I thought was a more suitable place. However, a couple of hours ago, I went to check on them, and the mom had moved one to a corner of the garage, and left the other alone in the box I made for them. I ended up coaxing the mother out with some food, and handing her the kitten she left behind. Fortunately she took him down to where the other one is. Hopefully that's a sign she will take care of it. 

I do wish they stayed in the box I made, though. Right now they're on a dusty old suitcase down on the floor. Should I try moving them again? Or just leave them alone? 

Thank you for all the advice, guys.

sxeaaron said:

I do wish they stayed in the box I made, though. Right now they're on a dusty old suitcase down on the floor. Should I try moving them again? Or just leave them alone? 

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Its a dilemma. I was trying to think on, let the answer mature.  Your box is surely the best, but the mom prefers them elsewhere.  If it is not very cold or so, probably best to obey the mom for this moment. You cant win over her, if she doesnt like the place chosen by you. she can always move them, and moms often do.  Besides, you dont want to stress her.

I suspect she isnt real semiferal, I think she was dumped/gone astray, but turned semiferal by sheer necessity to survive on her own.

I real semiferal would also accept your help, but it goes really fast forward here. so.... 

Still, you must continue to build her trust, if you want to proceed to go on forward, to avoid other problems.

If the box is there, present, ready and all, she will hopefully herself choose it, voluntarily. And move her kittens into it.

Good luck!

If you happen to be in New Jersey, I know of a rescue group which may be able to help.  It's a long shot that out of all places you're there, but throwing it out for you.

Good luck, sounds like you're doing a very good job so far.

Thank you, but I am in California. I've been looking up some possible places today and I'm in the process of calling them.

I guess I'll just try to make the box I made for them as attractive as possible and hope she moves them there on her own. 

Thank you guys.

Bless you for caring for the new little family - you are a true hero!! StephanZ has given excellent advice. I agree that you can just let mom decide where to keep the babies. Cats have extemely sensitive noses so if there is fragrance in the towels, she may not want her babies exposed. Also, she is more likely to use unscented cat litter, if you give her a box. I hope that your local rescue groups respond soon - they may help you out with expenses if you are able to foster the family for them. If not, send me a PM & we can see what we can come up with.

Okay - I'm sorry I didn't have time to read all the posts - this is my mea culpa - no time, I have about 21 cats I'm caring for.  

Twelve of those are due to the fact that I was unable to trap ONE - the mommy.

Finally, I got a little smarter and trapped her - with her last 3 - in my garage.  

They've been there since the middle of November, 2012.  I had to wait for her to stop nursing, and now - I'll be trying to get her so I can get her spayed. They are also ready for their surgeries.  I've been able to handle and cuddle 2 of the three, so they're not feral - the third is another story, I'll have to trap him.

My advice - for what it's worth - close her up in the garage IF you're sure she has all her babies in there.  This will prevent her from getting pregnant again and bringing more babies home for you to help her care for and until you can trap her.  

YES, she can get pregnant faster than you can imagine.  Trust me on this.

She could have been raised by someone, but was lost, or something, and turned wild just to survive.

I'm in the CA desert (Palm Springs Area) and know of several clinics for you to TNR - let me know if you're in this area and I'll try to offer more comfort and aid.

Gloria

GloriaJH said:

Okay - I'm sorry I didn't have time to read all the posts - this is my mea culpa - no time, I have about 21 cats I'm caring for.  

Twelve of those are due to the fact that I was unable to trap ONE - the mommy.

Finally, I got a little smarter and trapped her - with her last 3 - in my garage.  

They've been there since the middle of November, 2012.  I had to wait for her to stop nursing, and now - I'll be trying to get her so I can get her spayed. They are also ready for their surgeries.  I've been able to handle and cuddle 2 of the three, so they're not feral - the third is another story, I'll have to trap him.

My advice - for what it's worth - close her up in the garage IF you're sure she has all her babies in there.  This will prevent her from getting pregnant again and bringing more babies home for you to help her care for and until you can trap her.  

YES, she can get pregnant faster than you can imagine.  Trust me on this.

She could have been raised by someone, but was lost, or something, and turned wild just to survive.

I'm in the CA desert (Palm Springs Area) and know of several clinics for you to TNR - let me know if you're in this area and I'll try to offer more comfort and aid.

Gloria

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Thanks for the advice. 

She is closed up in the garage pretty well. I don't park my car in it, so the doors are always closed. She only has two kittens with her, so she may have lost some before I found her. There is a grey long haired cat that wanders around here. I'm not sure if its a male or female or not, but I think it might be the father. One of the kittens is black like the mother, the other is grey. I feed him, though. 

I don't think she's fully feral. When I put food down for her, she doesn't really mind that I'm near her, and I can pet her back. She also doesn't seem to mind too much that I hold the kittens. They both seem healthy. 

I don't live near Palm Springs, but thank you for the offer. 

She is definitely not feral - most likely a stray who's been on her own.  Thank you for helping her and her kittens.  Handling the kittens will go a long way toward socializing them, which will go a long way towards getting them good homes.  If Mommy sticks around long enough, she may come around, too, and that will help her find a good home.  If you can afford it, get her kitten food - it has the nutrients she needs while she's nursing.

Good luck!

Oh my gosh I have sooo much to say!  

First of all, if she did not actually birth the kittens in the garage, then she very likely had more and moved the 2 into the garage, leaving more behind. Unfortunately it is too late for them. This is only due to the stress of them being outside and extremely vulnerable to weather and mainly predators. Raccoons LOVE eating newborns, unfixed males are a huge danger as well, as they often will 'claim' the momma for mating, and will kill the male kittens and attempt to mount the female kittens, which will obviously kill them. People would be considered a danger to momma as well.

Chances are the grey cat is the father, but he should absolutely not be around momma and the kids.

As for her choice of locations, while not the best, leave them where she chose, but maybe if you can add a towel or something.

A litterbox on the floor, and a large bowl of fresh daily water and dry food for her as she wants it. I know you mentioned money being tight (we all get that one!) so any kind is better than none.

If you are able to pick up some cans of friskies pate type cans, she would appreciate this, and benefit from the water content. If not, lots of water and some dry will do.

This really is good enough. Not really my best advice as there are many better quality foods but I'm trying to keep it as do-able as possible for you.

The plan is, she will love and care for her kids until they are old enough to be weaned, as long as she is provided these basic needs and does not feel they are unsafe there.

Be absolutely sure that she can't leave nor can anyone get in.

I am in CA, the bay area if you are here too, and I am happy to get help for you for the near future plan. But for now, let her care for them.

If you can pet her as you said then she is not a true feral, probably was once owned, maybe as a kitten, then left behind at some point. (sad)

catwoman707 said:

Oh my gosh I have sooo much to say!  

First of all, if she did not actually birth the kittens in the garage, then she very likely had more and moved the 2 into the garage, leaving more behind. Unfortunately it is too late for them. This is only due to the stress of them being outside and extremely vulnerable to weather and mainly predators. Raccoons LOVE eating newborns, unfixed males are a huge danger as well, as they often will 'claim' the momma for mating, and will kill the male kittens and attempt to mount the female kittens, which will obviously kill them. People would be considered a danger to momma as well.

Chances are the grey cat is the father, but he should absolutely not be around momma and the kids.

As for her choice of locations, while not the best, leave them where she chose, but maybe if you can add a towel or something.

A litterbox on the floor, and a large bowl of fresh daily water and dry food for her as she wants it. I know you mentioned money being tight (we all get that one!) so any kind is better than none.

If you are able to pick up some cans of friskies pate type cans, she would appreciate this, and benefit from the water content. If not, lots of water and some dry will do.

This really is good enough. Not really my best advice as there are many better quality foods but I'm trying to keep it as do-able as possible for you.

The plan is, she will love and care for her kids until they are old enough to be weaned, as long as she is provided these basic needs and does not feel they are unsafe there.

Be absolutely sure that she can't leave nor can anyone get in.

I am in CA, the bay area if you are here too, and I am happy to get help for you for the near future plan. But for now, let her care for them.

If you can pet her as you said then she is not a true feral, probably was once owned, maybe as a kitten, then left behind at some point. (sad)

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Thanks for the reply. 

She moved again to another low shelf, blocked by some boxes. It has some padding on the shelf, so it's a lot better than on the ground. I put up some boards so the kittens cant wander and fall off. I'm a little worried because I live in the high desert, and it gets a little chilly here at night. It's not too bad in the garage, so I figure they'd be warm enough when snuggling with the mom. I want to put a towel or something in there, but I don't want her to move them again. This is the best spot she's settled on.  

I put new water out for her everyday, but she doesn't seem to drink it. So I've started putting her food in a bowl with some water. The way she scarfs down food, she ends up drinking some water unintentionally. I am buying her 9 lives, but not the pate variety. I figured wet food would be better than dry, but I'll take your advice and get some dry kitten food.

The garage is absolutely sealed up. Nothings getting in or out, unless I want them too. 

I live in the "high desert", which is the Victorville-Hesperia area. There's a whole lot of nothing up here. I'm thinking about keeping one of the kittens, and finding a home for the other. I am also going to try and take the mother in to be spayed so I don't have to go through this again. I assume I'd need to wait until the kittens are weaned off of her milk? I'm pretty sure the kittens are only a week old. Their eyes are still closed, and their ears are curled a little. 

EDIT: I made a typo in an earlier post, I DON'T feed the grey cat that wanders around here. I think he might have a home. He had no problem coming into mine asking for food. 

It doesn't have to be dry as long as it is for kittens. Wet is good, especially if she isn't drinking water.

Oh gosh okay, you are about 6 hours away from me so that's out.

However I can at least guide you with help.

Momma has to be drinking water, as she is producing milk which means about double her normal water needs. I just reread what you said and she is probably not going to do much water drinking since you are giving her wet food, she is getting water from this.

My best recommendation as far as food is if you are able to give her wet and dry. Dry out all the time with the water, and wet maybe once a day. Just because feeding canned only, is costly and she likely needs more calories to put some needed weight on since she is homeless and probably has survived on rodents, etc which makes for a very thin/lean cat.

For dry food, just something like Purina cat chow, but don't recommend Alley Cat/Atta Cat/Whiskas/Kit n Kaboodle/Nine Lives.

They're all about the same or close in quality but I personally have issues with each of them, for example how Whiskas dry has all that artificial red dye crap....

As the kittens grow, (by the way they are surely in their first week) they watch and learn from momma.

They will see her eating and by the time they are 3 1/2 weeks old they will try it themselves.

At this point (actually before) you want to raise the water bowl and dry food up so they can't get to it yet. At this age they fall in the water, and choke on the too big for them dry nuggets.

But do allow them to have access to the pate type canned when you put it out for mom.

Use a cheap paper plate and put some here and there so mom won't be doing all the eating, and soon enough, by 4 weeks or so you will see most of them eating pate canned. The shreds/chunks choke them.

This is how they will become weaned.

Age varies a bit depending on how fast/big they are. Sometimes feral moms have smaller kids, but that doesn't mean slower mentally/developmentally.

I have a tame mom here now who's kittens I just pulled at 6 weeks on the day, and if I had reason to, could have at 5 weeks, they were eating very well, and mom didn't produce all that much milk anyway.

When they are able to eat on their own, introduce them to dry also. I hate to do this one to you because it is def. pricey, but it's the best in my opinion and the only kitten food tiny enough to start young kittens on, and that is Royal Canin's Babycay. Pink and white bag.

If you are able to buy even 1 bag, this will get them rolling on dry food. It gives them an excellent start for a healthy kitten life

Once weaned the kittens must be pulled completely from momma. (I always hate doing this part )  This allows her milk to dry up for at least 10 days so she can then be spayed, recovered and released.

Kittens can be fixed at 2 lbs minimum.

They need vac's and deworming as well as mom.

Often times the kittens will have a bit of goopy/crusty eyes. This is common of outdoor/feral kittens and a cheap and quick fix is Terramycin ointment. Ebay or 1800petmeds.

Here's a quick update:

It's been pretty calm around here. I'm feeding her 3-4 times a day. I give her dry kitten food 3 times throughout the day, and sometimes I'll give her wet food before I go to sleep (around midnight). I check on the kittens, and hold them for a minute or two almost every time I feed the mother. This morning when I did, I can see that their eyes were opening a little bit.

The "nest" is currently on a shelf in my garage about a foot and a half off of the ground. When their eyes do open fully, I'm worried that they'll try to follow the mother when she jumps down, and they'll fall. I'm going to try to put a board on the shelf, so it's more enclosed, but I'm still worried about them falling.