Stray kitty

Hello everyone!

New here!  found a kitten by my cousin's neighborhood complex dumpster about a week ago with his mother cat and when it snowed the other day i got worried.

I started looking online researching on feral kittens and started driving by and there he is still chilling at the same spot. Just yesterday, I've placed a bowl of small amt of cat food and another bowl for water.  I was too close to the dumpster so i sat across. I was happy to see that he's eating it. Didn't see his mom at all. Anyways, I've never done this before and i was hoping to earn the kitten trust and bring him to our warm humble home before it starts snowing again. Day 2 today, planning to go there same time and hope to see him again tonight at 9ish. I think its more easier when the complex is more quieter and less car passing by the dumpster.

I was hoping maybe i can get any tips?

Much appreciated :3

Sir Meowington

A lot depends on how feral they are.  They may be strays that were dumped and may therefore be friendly.  If they are truly feral, they will not stick around when they see you - they'll book.  In fact, they would probably not come out during the day at all.

First thing, try to find out if there is a spay/neuter program near you that can help with fixing them.  If they are feral, you can simply spay/neuter them and release them back to where they are used to being.  Continue to provide food and shelter for them.

The rescue may also be able to lend or rent you a humane trap and possibly help you trap.  It all depends on how well funded they are and how many volunteers they have.

If they are both friendly, then they can both make the transition back to being inside cats.  They will need a room to themselves to give them time to adjust and acclimate.  Don't expect them to be super friendly at first - in fact, they will probably hide.

Thank you for helping them!

SIr Meowington said:

 
Hello everyone!

New here!  found a kitten by my cousin's neighborhood complex dumpster about a week ago with his mother cat and when it snowed the other day i got worried.

I started looking online researching on feral kittens and started driving by and there he is still chilling at the same spot. Just yesterday, I've placed a bowl of small amt of cat food and another bowl for water.  I was too close to the dumpster so i sat across. I was happy to see that he's eating it. Didn't see his mom at all. Anyways, I've never done this before and i was hoping to earn the kitten trust and bring him to our warm humble home before it starts snowing again. Day 2 today, planning to go there same time and hope to see him again tonight at 9ish. I think its more easier when the complex is more quieter and less car passing by the dumpster.

I was hoping maybe i can get any tips?

Much appreciated :3

Sir Meowington

Click to expand...

Adding to Ondines remarks.   If they seems friendly, so they are dumped.   And if dumped, they are helpless.  If you do have any possibility to take in them, do it as soon you can.  They are helpless, and defenceless...  If you dont have a proper carrier, you can perhaps use such a big plastic laundry basket?   Some models works nicely as emergency carriers.

So, in most variations skissed by Ondine, we talk about taking them in in one way or another.   If they are feral and shy (mom probably more than the kitten), it may take time to get them into  traps and so.

If they are tame, it may still take some time - mom was perhaps a little shy from beginning. Now, scared too, she quickly reverts into even more shy.

If so, you begin as you did:  making sure they have food and water.   If they are used to be outside, and have food and water, they will manage awhile, more or less OK.

If they are dumped, its more hurry of course.  Very hurry if they arent used at all to being outside.   With a little luck they will come to your carrier when you  talk with them, and promise food.

If it doesnt work, you must prob use traps.  If there is a rescue group nearby, or a shelter who helps homeless - they can probably lend you a trap.  Perhaps even help with the practical trapping, and also, tipping which of vets nearby is cheap and helpsome.

Do you have a bathroom you dont use, a cellar, a bedroom you dont use, or a dog cage to keep them in?

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

StefanZ and Ondine are right on -as always

Since it sounds like you're someone willing to do research, a great site from a great organization to help you figure if they're true ferals (that will probably be best served by trapping, spaying/neutering & releasing -- with regular feeding/water -& shelter if possible-after their release) or if they're strays/previously owned dumped cats - is Alley Cat Allies. Their site can also give advice on how to help you handle things either way (but particularly how to round them up so you can get them to a vet or spay/neuter organization & then how to socialize if you can go that route). Their website is www.alleycat.org. This site is a wealth of info and advice too.

Even if mom is a true feral and socializing her isn't in the cards, you say the other one is a kitten--any idea about how old? Kitten as in not-too-far-past-weaning---or kitten as in 8 months or a year. Kittens -the younger the better - can often be socialized if you have the time, patience & love to try it. It can be a lot of work, but it can be VERY rewarding to know you've truly saved the little guy's life and given him a forever

Hi everyone,

I'm just a very cautious person.  I know for a fact that he is a feral cat/kitten because he would run and hide at sight. (just guessing by the age cat chart, could be a month or so old)

Day 2, I didn't see him at all  It was a raining...stayed as long as I could, but had to return home.

Day 3, Its gotten very chilly, no rain and but still haven't come out. I think its cause there's still people around throwing their trash and leaving their headlights on. I wasn't able to stay too long.

Just trying to think positive, hoping someone else might be a good Samaritan and help him or her out.  I think my best bet would be during the weekdays when people are at work and kids have to sleep early for school.

If I somehow see him this week, I'll rent a trap and do my best to get him.

Thanks again for the tips everyone

-Sir Meowington

At a month, he would not have left mom yet.  They usually don't start eating solid food until six weeks or so.

You may want to think about setting a humane trap.  You will have to park nearby to keep check on it - both against people stealing it and against leaving the trapped cat in the elements too long.  You could also set food inside a large carrier and shut the door when the kitten goes in.  That, of course, means you'll need to be close enough to close the door, so that might not be viable right now.

IS there an organization nearby that might help you?  There are most likely more cats than you've seen and a rescue or shelter may be able to help TNR the colony (trap, neuter, return).  The cats are vetted and returned to their territory.  It keeps the population from exploding.

You should let them know you are interested in the kitten.  The more you can help them (perhaps finding homes for tame cats?) the better.

Thank you for your concern for these kitties!