2 Stray 2 Litters 1Kittynapper HELP!

devotion2kitteh

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 24, 2014
Messages
2
Purraise
1
Hello new here. Hope to get some advice.

In the fall two female stray kittens began hanging around my deck. My neighbor lady houses strays so I thought they were hers. She claimed they were not. But she did make sure I knew she already had 3 indoor cats & could not take anymore. I am allergic and my lease calls for no pets. I provided a bin & blankets for housing and food.
My plan was to get them spayed before they went into heat. But, a Tom sprayed around early Febuary and threw both into heat, both females took off for a week. Of course they both ended up preggers.

One birthed 5 kittens on Easter. The other birthed 4 the next day on my deck. I was hoping for at least a week apart. All kittens are healthy, both great Moms. They have seperate boxes, heating pads under the box (it has been chilly here yet), blankets and such.

The issue is one Momma has kittynapped the other Mommas kittens some time in the night last night. She left one. I can´t tell them apart now and am concerned. I could identify 2 & put them back in their nest. Momma and babies are acting normal. She does not seem worried about the missing kitten. Wasn´t even distressed with just 1 left!
I have now marked her kittens with ribbons.

The kittynapper Momma gets distressed when she hears the other Momma babies cry now though. She wants to get in the nest and care for the kittens. And that Momma could care less. I show her her nest and she settles. I can´t move the nests anywhere else that is safe. They are as far apart as I can make them for safe shelter kitten purposes.

My concern is more so for the kittens since both Moms are good and trusting with each other. I fear the kittens could get confused and the other Momma may start rejecting her kittens leaving the super Mom kittynapper overwhelmed!

I am super stressed and any advice would help.
 

red top rescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
4,466
Purraise
1,486
Location
Acworth GA, USA
In this case, it sounds like making one large combined nest might be the best solution.  Their birth times are close enough so their milk will be appropriate for the age of the kittens.  It will not do for them to be moved back and forth, especially if one is left behind and has no one to snuggle with to keep warm.  It doesn't matter whose kittens are whose unless you are raising purebreds, which you aren't.  One warm pile of 9 kittens with two moms to share nursing may be just fine right now.  Just be careful to make sure all the little bellies are getting full because as they grow bigger, the strongest ones will of course get the lions share of the milk.  You didn't say where you lived, but it's possible that you might be able to get an experienced foster with a rescue group to take on this combined family, which could be housed in one room in a house.  Until then, though, it is good you handle all the kittens daily so they will grow up comfortable with human smells and touch and thus be very adoptable when the time comes.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

devotion2kitteh

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Apr 24, 2014
Messages
2
Purraise
1
Thank you for the response. I was unsure about one big nest and even my husband assured me it should be okay. Whew.
The kittens do have full bellies. I am amazed at how quick they chub up! We have been handeling them. I change bedding everyday. Our deck is covered but not enclosed.
Like I said I am allergic. I am sure I could suffer through it but my lease calls for no pets, and I live between family of my landlords who are aware there are kittens and cats on the deck. So no way to sneek em in! I adore cats. My Inlaws have two. I just get asthmatic. I can´t even hold my kids hamsters.
I am in Pennsylvania. I once years ago dealt with a rescue here who refused to take a stray unless I paid boarding and nueturing fees. It was a choice where I was forced to pay the fees or put this cat back on the street where my neighbors dogs would kill it like happened before. I paid the fee they kept the cat. I then was told because I "lied" I was being placed on a list where they would not accept any animals from me and even said they were going to microchip it so I would get fines! That is my experience with rescues or rescuing until now. I am just a person who saw a cat that I can not even enjoy need a home.
I also read on some stray boards that a foster (which is now me, not by choice) becomes finacially responsible for any kitten care including foster placement.
These Mommas are outside cats. Doubt they ever where in a house. They do not use litter pans. There would be no way anyone is taking in this double nest Momma´s and all.
Litter training Momma´s, babies, and vet care.
I plan on making a secure nest on the deck where Mommas can enter and exit. Since I am home all day when kittens are moblie I will supervise their out of nest times.
I have interests in adoption from family, and church friends. My kids schools friends.

The babies are doing well. I have contacted my local animal hospital who has a unit for stray and feral control. I am waiting on a call back. They are just down the road and being familiar that this is a high stray feral area I believe they can advise me and maybe even come do a house check to see if all is well.

Thank you for the reply. I was concerned about stress on the babies and the double nest seems to be safe and easier for Mommas, babies, and me.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
26,072
Purraise
10,774
Location
Sweden
I  agree with Red Top, a double nest may be worth to try.  

Tx a lot for caring!

Good luck!
 
Top