Feral Cat and Kitten Mom

Hi everyone..

I live in Miami, Fl and used to have 1 dog, 1 indoor/outdoor cat and 1 outside only cat.

Now I have 3 dogs (all rescues), 1 indoor/outdoor cat (also a rescue) and now..my 1 outdoor cat has turned into 10 outdoor cats...4 of which are 6 week old kittens.

I feel heavy in my heart...happy at times as I look at them and interact with them, but sad because it is costing me alot of money to feed them (twice daily I feed them dry and wet food, mixed and give them milk) .

I also feel badly because I feel that these outside cats and kittens deserve to have indoor families and the safety of a nice home..but I am torn because I dont want them sitting in cages in shelters waiting to be adopted!

I have already trapped and spayed/neutered 4 of the adult cats and still have 3 adults to spay/neuter very soon (one may already be pregnant) and...in a few mos, the 4 kittens will have to be spayed/neutered as well.

In the meantime...does anyone have any ideas on how i can find good homes for these adorable new kittens?
I feel so sad to think about giving them away, but selfish for keeping them when they deserve to have a nice home to live in...I also forgot to mention that I feel sad taking them away from their siblings...the older ones are so attached to each other!

What is the best thing for me to do and what is truly best for the cats and kittens???
Thanks for any advice anyone has...my heart is heavy

KIM

Although it will be tough, you do need to find homes for the new ones - and possibly some of the older ones.  You said yourself, the cost is climbing.  How would you feel if your were unable to feed them all?  New homes for some with help solve the problem.

I'm glad you're working on the spaying or neutering - that is the key solution here.  I would suggest that you contact a local rescue or shelter for help.  Talk to them about how they find homes.  Maybe you can be the foster mother for the kittens while the rescue/shelter searches for homes.  That way, they won't be in cages.  Keep in mind, though, that the kittens will have to come inside so they can learn to be proper house cats.

Thank you for helping them.  It isn't hard for things to get out of hand and you are to be commended for trying so hard.  But it sounds like you need a little help, so make that contact.

ps - don't feed the adult cats milk.  Most are lactose intolerant and it causes tummy troubles.

Welcome to TCS! I totally agree with Ondine.  If you can't afford to care for the cats, it doesn't help them. Your heart is in the right place.  Try to find a no-kill shelter, if you can.