Mom Cat and Kittens - Need Help!!

Hello,

I am new to the forum and to caring for feral cats.  I have absolutely no experience in taking care of ferals, but have found myself in a difficult situation.

Long story short.... a mother cat and her two kittens are in my garage.  They've been in there for 3 weeks.  I'm not sure how old the kittens are, but judging by their size, I'd say they're about 5 months old.  The kittens have made a lot of progress with me - they don't run and hide when I enter, they'll eat with me sitting next to them, I engage them in play and they just started eating food from my hand.  I realize I still have a long road ahead with them but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to socialize them.

Mom, on the other hand, scares me.  I have no idea how old she is, but I get the impression she's been on her own for quite some time.  For the first two weeks, she didn't want to be seen and found a hiding spot in the overhang above the garage door.  So I would leave her alone, and with plenty of food for her when she decided to come out.  She would only come out when I left (I watched through a window without her knowing).  Over this past week, she's been poking her head out from her hiding spot while I'm still in the garage.  She's even leaned over and stepped out onto the ledge with her front paws, glaring down at me.  Honestly, it scares the heck out of me!  I feel like she's a cougar wanting to make a meal out of me!  And I have to walk underneath her to exit the garage and I'm scared to death that she's going to jump down on me as I'm trying to leave.  I'll walk slowly towards her and wait for her to back up a little so I can make a quick exit.

Now for my problem... I have to get them out of the garage... like today!  I live in a rental and the landlord has no idea what I'm doing.  However, he told my husband that he wants to do some work in the garage.  We can't tell him about the cats - he's not a very understanding person and would tell us to open the door and let them go.  I can't do that!  So I need to get them out of the garage and inside the house ASAP.  What do you suggest?  I've been trying to lure the kittens into a large carrier but they seem to know what I'm trying to do.  My husband says we should just go in there and grab them but I don't want to traumatize them by doing that.  I'm not really sure what to do with Mom.  I purchased a Havahart trap for her, but fear she'll go beserk once inside.  I don't want to un-do the progress I've made with the kittens either.

Any ideas, advice, suggestions?

First thank you so much for caring and taking these kittens and the mommy cat under your wing.
Kittens. To the extent possible, block off places the kittens/cats can hide. Then get the kittens into a room however you can. If that means grabbing them, do so. They may be traumatized but it will only last for a short time, as in, when you resume giving them food, playing with them, etc. Cats for better or worse have relatively short term memories.
Mother cat: Wait as long as you can so she'll be hungry, and then bait and set the Havaheart trap and hope/pray she'll go in the trap. (The hungrier she is, the more likely she'll go into the trap. ) Some cats 'go beserk', some don't utter a sound. In part it depends on the cat. As soon as she is in the trap, cover the trap with a blanket. Cats tend to quiet down immediately.

Now, to an equally important question one which you haven't asked/addressed: have you thought about spaying/neutering the kittens and mother cat? Personally I would take this opportunity to get the mother cat spayed immediately (meanwhile, keep her in the trap). Call around to rescue groups and see when they spay/neuter feral cats. Depending on their answer and your finances, I'd try to get all the cats s/n.

Worst case scenario: if the landlord/you release the mother cat before being able to get her spayed, I would still try to trap her and get her spayed. Otherwise, in two months, you may find yourself with yet another litter.

Good luck, and write back with more questions.

Excellent advise above, I just wanted to tell you I an very impressed for what you are doing for this family, most people don't care what happens. I really don't think mama would jump down on you, I've never been attacked even when I have grabbed a baby and they cry, but a mother might charge you if she thinks you are hurting her babies. I wouldn't let mama go in your house if trapped, she would most likely go berserk and hurt herself banging into the walls. a cage would be much better. Bless you for your concern, and please keep us posted on how you do. Good luck!

Ritz - thank you for the advice.  If it comes down to it, we'll have to just grab the kittens and trap Mom.  I checked on them this morning and removed all food bowls so that they'll be hungry later this afternoon/evening.  By the way, all three have been using the litter boxes since day 1 in the garage.  Is that a good sign, even for Mama cat?  In answer to you question, I intend to get them spayed/neutered as soon as possible.  There is a low-cost clinic in the area that will s/n ferals and strays on a daily basis.  I just have to call them a day or two ahead of time once they're caught.  Hopefully, she's not already pregnant.

Di and Bob - thank you for the reassurance and compliment.  I never thought of myself as a cat person (grew up with dogs only) but I can't ignore a hungry and homeless animal that may have been someone's pet at one time.  It's not her fault that she doesn't have a home.  And with cold weather moving in shortly, it breaks my heart to see so many cats wondering around outside looking for shelter and warmth, as well as food.  My neighbors don't like what I do but I don't care what they think.  Here's a picture of Mama.  It may just be me, but this scared the crap out of me the first time she did it.


And the babies...

Oh what adorable kittens!
Yes them using the litter box is a good sign--and it also instinct. To bury poop and pee (and, sometimes, food).
I forgot to add that you're doing an even more stupendous job in socializing kittens: the general rule of thumb is that socializing feral kittens over four months old is really really difficult (some would say impossible). So the fact that the cats will eat from your hands is wonderful!
And the mother cat: actually, she doesn't look all that scared, at least for a cat who is feral. Though I admit, she did climb as high as she could......That is, by the way, not necessarily indicative as how easily/hard it will be to socialize a cat.

Yes, they are adorable!  I especially like the black one's goatee!  How could I just let them go back out into the cold?  I'm thrilled they'll eat from my hand.  When I'm putting wet food in their bowls, they'll actually come over and start eating as I'm filling the bowl, brushing up against my hand. But if I try to stroke their head, they'll stop and take a step back.  I'll put my hand back down to a position they're comfortable with so they can resume eating.  With the litter box, I know it's instinct to bury poop and pee, but I read somewhere that ferals don't know what to do with litter since they're accustomed to using dirt/leaves.  In any case, I'm glad they know what to do with it.

When I took that pic of Mama, I was sitting on the ground playing with her babies.  I just happened to look up and that's what I saw - it's as if she's saying "Those are my babies and I'm watching you!"

Oh. and I'm not discouraged by their age...  it may take longer to socialize them but I don't think it's impossible.

You can grab the kittens by using a dark towel and move slowly and carefully. Don't get into a panic, they will feel your stress. Don't make eye contact with either one of them. Use the towel to guide them into a corner where they can't really escape from you, then carefully (and slowly) place the towel over them with one hand, and use the other to find their scruff of their neck (underneath the towel) Scruff them (they will fight and you will only be able to do one at a time). Hold them wrapped up in a towel and carefully lower them into a waiting carrier that is standing on end with the door of the carrier opened up toward the roof of the garage. Lower the kitten and the towel into the carrier. Quickly shut the door- and then do the same thing with the second kitten. You have to move slow and easy- even if they bolt. Cats are fight or flight animals (just like horses). If they get scared, they get defensive and then people and kittens can get hurt.

I wouldn't worry about mom- she will see a stranger coming and she will run off. Her kittens don't need her any longer and I am here to tell you that except in rare instances- ALL stray kittens and cats can be socialized despite their ages. I've done this for a very long time and you are welcome to visit my blog and read some older entries that deal with the same situation you are facing now.

Mom will come back, especially when she knows there is food around. You can just tell your landlord (if the kittens have been tucked away safely) that mom just showed up and has been hiding in the garage at night. Remove any food or water before your landlord comes and make sure you clean up any poop you see on the floor.

Good luck-

Thank you, Hissy.  I appreciate the encouragement and advice.  Although I would like to get Mom and kittens in the house before the landlord pays a visit, I need to get the kittens first and deal with Mom later, even if that means letting her go.  I'm confident she would return for food and shelter.  Until I can trap her, I'll feel bad that she's alone.  Will definitely check out your blog.

I just LOVE what you are doing for this little family, and the advice so far has been great and hopefully helpful.

A couple things I'd like to add here.

I wrote an article for a local magazine not long ago that might help give you some insight on ferals.

http://thepetloversguide.com/the-misunderstood-feral-cat-feralcommunity-cat-abandoned/

It's 3 pages but looks like just one.

Feral cats are not like wild animals are, not at all. You have nothing to fear, she's not going to attack you, there's no aggression, simply fear of humans due to lack of exposure, that's all.

Please don't be afraid of her.

Dont feed them at all until you are ready to get them, if you have a carrier you can rig a string to the door near the latch, run the string through the carrier and out the back of it through a hole.

Put a dish of tuna or canned food that they will love, all the way in the back of the carrier, open the door half way, not all the way, and leave with string in hand.

Both kittens can be nabbed together, quietly.

Once theyre eating you will pull the string fast and hold it tightly until you can go secure the latch.

Take them inside.

The carrier should not be set in the middle of the floor, but to the side, and if possible, where mom can't see it while up in the rafters.

Then set the trap for mom. Tuna is my go-to always, other things work fine too but tuna, to me is a no fail.

Trap should also be set along the wall, not out in the middle.

The second that door shuts race to cover it up, I have seen too many ferals really hurt their noses trying to push the wire to escape, as this is what they will use to attempt to find a space that can be pushed open.

Keep her in trap and covered and see if she can go for spay asap.

She can recover in trap too, if the landlord is not done in the garage. Use the back door that slides open, open just enough to slide a small dish of food/water for her.

Set the trap on newspaper to collect pee.

She will be SO much better off, you will have made an enormous impact on her life for the better!

Catwoman707 - thanks!  I read your article - brought a few tears to my eyes    Poor Buddy!

I'll post again and let everyone know what happens.  I appreciate all the advice and encouragement.

The landlord called and said he won't be here until Friday, so that gives me an extra day (*whew*!).

UnbridledSpirit said:

 
Catwoman707 - thanks!  I read your article - brought a few tears to my eyes

   Poor Buddy!

I'll post again and let everyone know what happens.  I appreciate all the advice and encouragement.

The landlord called and said he won't be here until Friday, so that gives me an extra day (*whew*!).

Click to expand...

You're so welcome. I was hoping it might help you understand that there's no need to be afraid of mom

Yes, Buddy.......his memory is still a very raw spot in my heart, I just can't overcome how I felt and still feel about him, and what happened, and how he suffered. Those images will never go away........

Yay! An extra day means you can use the hunger approach successfully! Cats can really be worked by their need for food, makes it easier to get them where you want them!

Good luck, let us know

I wanted to let everyone know what happened last night.

Since I have an extra day (maybe two!), I decided to use last night as a "practice run".  It went well and getting the kittens into the carrier with ease was promising.  I started by tempting them with tuna while sitting near the carrier (the door was halfway open and within reach so I could close/latch it quickly).  They ate the tuna from my hand.  I then put their food bowls in the back of the carrier, filled with their favorite food as well as some tuna sprinkled on top.  At first, they weren't sure about going in, sat there for a few minutes staring into it and looking at me then walked away.  I started playing with them, still sitting next to the carrier.  After awhile, the black kitten decided she was hungry enough.  She glanced at me but then went into the carrier.  Once she started eating, that got the attention of the gray kitten.  She then decided to get some dinner, too, but looked at me first.  I looked away to avoid making eye contact and pretend I was paying any attention to her.  She then proceeded to go in the carrier and started eating.  Since I was sitting close enough, all I had to do was reach over and slam the door shut while they weren't looking - yay!!

Now... question.... if all goes well and I can get them to do the same thing tonight, what will Mom do if she's watching and sees me trap her babies in the carrier?  I didn't notice her watching last night, but she did peak out a couple of times just to get a quick look at what was going on.  And I think she was pretty hungry but wanted me to leave first.  I'm trying not to be afraid of her, or let her sense I'm wary of her, but the way she looks at me sometimes is very unnerving.  The carrier is large and doesn't have a handle, so once I get the kittens in it, I'll need my husband to help me bring it in the house.  I don't want to risk carrying it myself, only to accidentally drop it and the door pop open!  So, if Mom is watching, should I leave the kittens in the carrier, set the Havahart trap for mom and make my exit as quickly as possible?  I don't want the kittens to hurt themselves while in the carrier but I don't want to get attacked by Mom either if she thinks I'm hurting her babies.

I don't think mom will worry about the kittens.  (She may appreciate the freedom! )  Set the humane trap with something really yummy, to make sure she goes in there.

Once you get them in the carrier and into the house, you will need to give them a little more room.  Do you have a space for them (the bathroom is good, or a spare bedroom).  They will need a potty and their food and something soft to lay on (if they already have a bed, bring that with them).

Leave them in this room until they get used to being inside.  Visit them often for playing or you can read out loud to them.  This gets them used your voice and your presence.

Thank you for helping them!

You might want to trap mom first and remove her from the area. Make sure you cover the trap right away when you get her to calm her down. The kittens aren't as wary as her and trust you more so I think they will be fine. Don't try right away to trap them either, hearing their mother getting caught will scare them for a while, but sooner or later they will get hungry enough. Good luck!

I highly suggest getting the kittens first, then get the carrier with them inside out of the garage before they even realize they can't get out and cry to mom.

She wouldn't attack you over it, but might become very leery of the trap.

Get them, then set the trap for her and leave the garage.

Make sure she is good and hungry too so there is no chance of her not going inside.

If you do put the kittens in the bathroom, I would put mom in the trap in there too, it will be a comfort, but leave 3/4 of the trap covered with a towel, it will help with her trying to get out of it.

You'll do fine!!

Believe me she is alot more fearful of you then you should be of her. She won't attack you, it's just not like that.

Catwoman707 - thank you (again) for reassuring me that she won't attack!  I guess I'm being overly cautious

Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well tonight and I can stop stressing over it... will post an update tomorrow.

Glad to be helpful.

Good luck! Bet things will go smoothly

well, it's a good thing I have another night to get them inside... things didn't go as planned last night  .  The kittens went into the carrier with ease but just as they were about to start eating, the dog next door started barking up a storm and the neighbors were in their backyard making all kinds of noises.  The kittens didn't like it one bit and didn't stay in the carrier long enough for me to shut the door.  So, it's "do-or-die" tonight, especially with the temperature dropping and the landlord coming here over the weekend.  We'll have no choice but to get them out one way or another.

On the bright side... Mom cat surprised me.  She came down from her "watch post" while I was still in the garage and decided to eat within a few feet from me.  I was debating whether or not to leave when I saw her making her way down from the rafters, but decided to sit there and see what she was going to do.  Once she got to the ground, she walked very slowly and cautiously over to the food bowls.  I attempted to reach for one of the bowls to put a bit more food into it, but she growled and it made her very uneasy so I backed off.  Once she finished, she went to a hiding spot but not up in the rafters.  I knew exactly where she was and stayed a bit longer before cleaning up and finishing my visit for the evening.

Guess we'll see how everything goes tonight.... hopefully the trick-or-treaters won't make too much noise...

Fingers crossed you are successful tonight.  Just remember to stay as calm as you can!  And yes, I recognize the paradox in that statement.