Seeking Advice !!!!!

Hi guys, it was suggested that I come over here to ask questions. I have been caring for a stray cat that I named Oscar. I originally thought that SHE was a HE, because she is an orange tabby. Anyhow, she seems like she was abandoned because she knows what human kindness is. I had the opportunity to touch her on a few occasions, and our friendship seemed to have been growing. Than she disappeared for about 3 or 4 days. Well, I seen her today and her belly is gone so I assume she had her kittens. Where they are at and how many, I do not know. The reason I am posting in this forum is to ask... What do I do now? I am wondering if mama cats abandon their litter, because at this very moment she is sleeping underneath my neighbors car. It doesn't appear as if she has any place to be. I put some food and water out but she didn't seem very interested in either. And I should postpone trying to trap her for the moment since she has a litter somewhere, right? Any advice or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks

I would search all over the neighborhood and find the Kittens and never give up the fate of a litter of kittens depends on you find them then when there old enough find them all loveing homes to keep them alive bottle feed them until they can eat cat food good luck

Frankie the cat said:

nd I should postpone trying to trap her for the moment since she has a litter somewhere, right? Any advice or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks

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Oh, she doestn eat although you are her food source?   If we guess there may be some other neigboor too giving her food, she would at least nibbing for pleasure.

I answered you at the Feral Forum, now I see possibility of yet another variation:  she is seriously sick, and thus dont have energy to help her kittens, nor even to eat.

If so, take her immediately asap, and to the vet with her.  Try with a towel, or try with a carrier hoping she will go in voluntarily into the nice hole.

And patrol and search the neigborhood if you can. The kittens may still be alive and possible to save!  They are probably well hidden, so...  Pay perhaps a fee to a couple of friendly neigbourhood children to help you find them.

continuing

The plus with taking care of a severely sick feral cat who does seek your help, or at least, accepts it, is the fostering goes very easy, sometimes literally in hours.

Anyway, sick or not.  If she is the whole time  during the car, apparently NOT going back to her kittens, take her in, this way or another, before anything bad happens with her too.

As you HAD decided to try and take her in.

Good luck!

It has happened more than once on this site that a feral queen has given birth outside with the caretakers thinking the kittens did not survive, only to find them alive and well weeks later! I agree with Stefan that, given her behavior you want to rule out an illness but if she is otherwise healthy I would keep a close eye on her and see if she doesn't lead you to her babies. 

If you do find them you need to be prepared to bring them and Mom indoors- otherwise you risk her moving them and not being able to find them again. Anywhere confined that is safe and warm will work, and people have used sheds, garages, screened in porches- even a mobile home to house them. 

If you can't find the kittens after a few weeks or it's clear she isn't caring for any get her to a vet and have her spayed. Queens can go back into heat anytime after giving birth and you want to minimize this as much as possible. So, weigh the risks of leaving her out intact with that of finding her kittens and do what you think is best. I fully agree grabbing some neighborhood kids and going on a search is a great place to start, especially if you know Mom hasn't been with them in a few hours- they will be hungry and crying for a snack!

Best of luck as you try to locate them and in caring for Mom! 

EDIT: It is very uncommon for a Queen to just abandon an entire litter. Have you checked around the neighbors car? I have heard of Queens putting kittens in the exhaust pipes because they are warm and seemingly safe. If she's just hanging out somewhere it's probably a good indication that her kittens are within earshot, so start your search there. 

EB24 said:

 
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EDIT:  Have you checked around the neighbors car? I have heard of Queens putting kittens in the exhaust pipes because they are warm and seemingly safe. If she's just hanging out somewhere it's probably a good indication that her kittens are within earshot, so start your search there. 

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Likewise, the engine room is even more common.  And of course, if any car nearby is open, ie an abandoned wreck...   Good thinking, EB24!

Good luck!

StefanZ said:

 
Likewise, the engine room is even more common.  And of course, if any car nearby is open, ie an abandoned wreck...   Good thinking, EB24!

Good luck!

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Haha just putting my genius to good use Stefan! You know how I roll!    

EB24.  I myself forgot cars as a suitable hiding place. But when I got reminded by your post, I remembere they quite often use the engine room to hide in.   And here it is quite probable they are somewhere very near = in a car. Abandoned or not.