Help! 6 kittens found in my garage and I'm freaking out.

Hello,

My husband and I are  living in a two-bedroom unit with 2 rescued cat from RSPCA. We are both animal lovers.

There are a couple of stray cats; one male was 'adopted' by one of our neighbours but he has not been de-sexed. A kitten was born in spring last year and another neighbout has been feeding her. I didn't know she was a female cat.

During this winter, I put a cat bed in my garage as I felt sorry fot the female stray. I was going to get rid of the bed once it got warmer but it was too late.

We found 5 to 6 kittnes in the bad last Sunday. I feel responsible for the kittens and the mummy cat as I provided the bed. I wish I didn't.

Anyway I surrendered my garage for them so that the mummy can raise the kittens as we want them to be safe.

At the same time, I'm worrired about their future as we cannot have more cats in my house.

Kittens look well and the mummy has been nursing them. They just opened their eyes a few days ago. Mummy is very timid and don't come close to me, but she is getting used to me.

I'm thinking of de-sexing the mummy cat but I don't know when I should do it as she is still nursing.

I've been looking for people who can adopt the kittens. I found one but so far haven't found any homes for the other 5 (or 4. I can't even cound as they stick togehter).

If I can't find forever homes for them, I'll end up desexing them all but then what?

I'm hesitant to call RSPCA as they might destroy them all, but maybe I'm not realistic.

I've already told my neighbours who have been feeding the strays but they don't seem to assume thier responsibility.

I don't want to make any desicion which I might regret later. I want them to be safe.

People come to this site must be cat lovers and I woud like some advice.

What would you do if you were me?

Thanks for reading.

Kat

First, thank you for taking care of these little ones.
I don't know a lot about this subject, but here are my thoughts, in no particular order:
First, keep on feeding the mother cat, and sit with her while she is eating (if possible) so she'll get use to your presence.
If mother cat will let you, you should start weighing the cats to make sure they are getting enough nutrition. This also has the added benefit of getting the kittens use to being handled by a human.
Regarding de-sexing mother cat while the kittens are still nursing: I've read different opinions about this. My gut feeling is: if you are 100% certain she cannot and will not escape from your garage, then wait until the kittens are eating solid food. My worry is if MC escapes she can become pregnant again very quickly.
Meanwhile, keep on trying to find homes for the kittens--they won't be ready to leave the mother cat for at least two months. (They also need the experience of living with other kittens and mother cat--they learn from one another about boundaries.)
I don't know what the RSPCA's policy is about kittens: if these kittens are socialized enough, won't they take them to adopt out?
Finally, regarding de-sexing, and then what: I'd try to find a farmer who needs cats to hunt mice.
Good luck!

Thank you very much for replying to me.

My neighbours and I have been in contact to local resque place and found that they should stay in my garage at least another 3 weeks.

In a meantime, I'll keep trying to find a place/people who can take them.

Yes, MC can be pregnant again, so I'll have to catch her and get her desexed. I can't take 30 kittnes in my garage!

They are getting bigger and cuter each day. They are my problem but when I see them looking at me, I really want to protect them.

Thank you for the kind words. It made me feel better.