Adopting a kitten from next door

11 weeks ago next doors cat Tammy had 5 beautiful kittens, one I fell in love with instantly and have decided to adopt as I have 2 cats already we have started slowly with the introductions, I had Kiya (my new sweetie) for an hour or two each day to get Trixie and Pixie used to her. I started with letting Kiya wonder without the other two to get used to her new home and got a blanket with Kiya's smell on to keep around the girls when she is gone. We have been doing this for a couple of weeks, slowly increasing the time she spends here, she has been introduced to Trixie and Pixie, Trixie is not very happy yet but Pixie took to her instantly

The problem we are having is with Tammy, at first she wouldn't settle whilst I had Kiya, then after she realised she always got her back she started coming over to drop her off. (which is adorable) but as I have been trying to keep her overnight, Tammy has been sat at the door crying for her, very loudly. When she cries for her we give Kiya back and take them back to next door but I'm wondering if I keep taking Kiya back to mummy will Tammy ever be willing to let me take her permanently or will she always expect to get Kiya back?

Kiya doesn't seem bothered by the whole situation and is happy to go back and forth but would we be better just keeping them apart for the time being? Since Kiya will be an indoor/outdoor cat she will see Tammy quite often and I don't want to break their bond, am I just trying to take her too soon?

Sorry I tend to ramble, if you made it through all that and have any advice I would be very grateful.

The situation is quite unusual!  I understand very well how it happened. And as you say, it is really cute in many ways.   Im sorry, I myself dont get any clear cut advice.  I suspect you must play it be the ear and instinct.

continue to report and thinking loudly, maybe someone comes on the IDEA.

Good luck!

She has now spent the night a few times and Tammy seems happy to let her. I have noticed that Tammy seems to be in heat again and is much less fussed by the kittens, I'm guessing that's normal? 

cookietown said:

She has now spent the night a few times and Tammy seems happy to let her. I have noticed that Tammy seems to be in heat again and is much less fussed by the kittens, I'm guessing that's normal? 

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Oh yes, and this is a solution to your problem, A very natural letting go of her kittens.  

Even better than usual, for when they kittens are just sold/adopted out, the mom usually does miss them and is in deep sorrow for about one week...

The problem is the Tammy (the mom) should of course be spayed now, as soon her heat is over.

I hope your neighbours do it.

Good luck!

That's what I thought, I know she normally likes to keep them in sight but today she happily left them for a while. I think a spay will be booked once she is out of heat, as far as I know she was waiting for the kittens to be fully weaned before she went for her spay.

Kiya has officially moved in tonight we are all very happy, except Trixie although she is coming round to the idea