Semi feral mom and kittens

dandila · Apr 22, 2015

I have been feeding a mother cat for a couple of months. I also caretake for three others that have been socialized but are completely outdoor cats. I have two males (un-neutered) and a spayed female. Funds are limited so I'm getting the ladies done first with the males to follow as soon as possible.

The mother gave birth three weeks ago and her nest is underneath a neighbor's home in the crawl space. I have notified the owner that she is there and obtained permission to access her yard and crawl space as needed. I have to give mom credit for picking a very safe place for her kittens. It doesn't look very comfortable, though.

What are your thoughts on a timeline for wrangling them and beginning the socialization and weaning process. The mother cat will let me pet her and even pick her up and hold her for a minute. She seems to trust me, but as of yet, she hasn't shown her babes to me. I have ask many of the neighbors about her but no one seems to know where she came from. She tolerates me sitting in the opening of the crawl space. The mother has already gone in to heat again with several successful matings. As soon as the kittens are weaned I will have her spayed.

I'm new to cat caretaking so I would like some advice on the timing and methods? We are having a mass TNR weekend and I have volunteered to be a trap checker so I will be learning how to trap and might be able to get some help from the organization. They are planning to TNR 50-60 cats in one weekend!

Any and all advice would be helpful to me.

StefanZ · Apr 22, 2015

Dandila said:
I have been feeding a mother cat for a couple of months. I also caretake for three others that have been socialized but are completely outdoor cats. I have two males (un-neutered) and a spayed female. Funds are limited so I'm getting the ladies done first with the males to follow as soon as possible.

The mother gave birth three weeks ago and her nest is underneath a neighbor's home in the crawl space. I have notified the owner that she is there and obtained permission to access her yard and crawl space as needed. I have to give mom credit for picking a very safe place for her kittens. It doesn't look very comfortable, though.

What are your thoughts on a timeline for wrangling them and beginning the socialization and weaning process. The mother cat will let me pet her and even pick her up and hold her for a minute. She seems to trust me, but as of yet, she hasn't shown her babes to me. I have ask many of the neighbors about her but no one seems to know where she came from. She tolerates me sitting in the opening of the crawl space. The mother has already gone in to heat again with several successful matings. As soon as the kittens are weaned I will have her spayed.

I'm new to cat caretaking so I would like some advice on the timing and methods? We are having a mass TNR weekend and I have volunteered to be a trap checker so I will be learning how to trap and might be able to get some help from the organization. They are planning to TNR 50-60 cats in one weekend!

Any and all advice would be helpful to me.

I will write something a little later on, in about two hours.

One question already now:. If mom isnt taking her kittens out to you, do you have possibility to come to the kittens? Ie, is your only possibility to wait till the kittens come forward to you?

StefanZ · Apr 22, 2015

As said, the plans depends on if you can get to the kittens, if you can get them.

If you cant, so you cant, and must wait till mom takes them out... Although there ARE tricks to catch alone, deserted but fully moveable kittens. One of our forumites had made a trap which basically was build a box, being as a nice, hidey hole, with some food in it...

Anyways, if she has mated, you prefer not to risk she takes them out at perhaps 8 weeks, or even 6...

The best fostering age is 5-6 weeks, they are still fairly easy to catch, and easy to foster.

If you can get to them, is taking them all inside, including mom, a possibility and option for you?

I will return with further thoughs, when you have answered.

Good luck!

dandila · Apr 23, 2015

Thank you. As an answer to your question about reaching the kittens I'll just say that their environment creeps me out...spiders, bugs, and such. But if it is really important that I get to them, the answer is, yes, I think I can if I psych myself up a bit.

I had hoped that she would be bringing them up to get some fresh air and sunlight. Won't she be doing that soon to start training?

And since I am the food provider, won't she want to introduce them to me? Are the kittens in any danger from the un-neutered males hanging around?

Yes, I could provide her with a private indoor room but she doesn't seem comfortable inside the couple of times I've brought her in.

dandila · Apr 24, 2015

Anyone have any knowledge about how or when stray mother cats introduce kittens to the caregiver?

StefanZ · Apr 24, 2015

Dandila said:
Thank you. As an answer to your question about reaching the kittens I'll just say that their environment creeps me out...spiders, bugs, and such. But if it is really important that I get to them, the answer is, yes, I think I can if I psych myself up a bit.

I had hoped that she would be bringing them up to get some fresh air and sunlight. Won't she be doing that soon to start training?

And since I am the food provider, won't she want to introduce them to me? Are the kittens in any danger from the un-neutered males hanging around?

Yes, I could provide her with a private indoor room but she doesn't seem comfortable inside the couple of times I've brought her in.

That is a good question, but probably the are. Toms being good friends with the mom are seldom or never any treat [THREAT} to the kittens, rather the opposite. But dominant, unfriendly toms may be a real treat. Although some of the reports of violences seems after an analysis to be the tom defended the kitten against a predator, predator fled but the kitten was hurt and the bloodied tom of course were found there too still trying to guard the dying kitten... But quite a few of forumists reports on nasties, so, its not just a myth.

This fact may add the mom will be reluctant to take them out.

Dandila said:
Anyone have any knowledge about how or when stray mother cats introduce kittens to the caregiver?

As their provider, it will be prob sooner than the random so so farmer. But 6-8 weeks is common.

dandila · Apr 25, 2015

Hadn't seen her this morning so I went to check on her. One of the toms were under the house. He came to me when I called and I removed him. Doesn't really bode well for them.

StefanZ · Apr 25, 2015

Dandila said:
Hadn't seen her this morning so I went to check on her. One of the toms were under the house. He came to me when I called and I removed him. Doesn't really bode well for them.

Perhaps do what is anyway on way, and take them in. Spiders and bugs, or not.

Take on clothses you arent afraid they get dirty, including something on your hairs. Protective googles, glooves. And just do it.

Good luck!

dandila · Apr 26, 2015

I will scare the kittens to death in that outfit. But you're right, I need to face this problem. What I fear more than spiders and bugs is finding a dead kitten. The only thing that could be drawing the toms down there is her coming in to heat again. Is that possible? She has not been to three feedings now.

StefanZ · Apr 26, 2015

Dandila said:
I will scare the kittens to death in that outfit. But you're right, I need to face this problem. What I fear more than spiders and bugs is finding a dead kitten. The only thing that could be drawing the toms down there is her coming in to heat again. Is that possible? She has not been to three feedings now.

Oh, she probably is. Cats arent protected from heat being lactacing, while human women are somewhat protected, not 100% but they are.

Finding dead kittens is not pleasant, but at least, you will be able to give it a decent burial. So even this will be a holy mission of mercy.

dandila · Apr 30, 2015

Okay, here's the deal...I braved the crawl space, looking high and low for kittens. I'd been there about 20 minutes and I heard some crinkling up above my head. Really creepy since I had no idea what it was so I just remained motionless. A few minutes later, I hear the tiniest little mew! But I have no idea how to get to them. They are between the floor of the house and the insulation. She probably has a hole somewhere but I couldn't find it. I'm going to keep trying. At least they are alive!

Sarthur2 · Apr 30, 2015

It's too bad you were not able to get them before she moved them into that space, but at least they are safe there for now. Has mama been coming to you for her feedings now?

dandila · May 1, 2015

Yes, feedings are back to normal and I've noticed her poking around in the woods behind my house. She could be looking for prey to take to the kittens? The last time I went to check one of the toms was underneath the house again and I've noticed he and mom are eating at separate times. Almost like she's got him babysitting for her? She is not in heat and doesn't appear to be upset that he is down there. Weird!

dandila · May 13, 2015

Well, I finally met my kittens and went down three times a day to interact with and supplement feed the babies. They were easy to begin with solid food and the mother is looking pretty good. The kittens are now nearly 7 weeks old and I have moved them to my home today. I trapped all three and moved at once. Initially, I just trapped the kittens thinking momma would follow me but I ended up having to coax her out from under the house using her kittens as bait. So now, they are in their own cozy room inside and seem to be adjusting with the exception that I think I've overfed them and they don't seem the least bit interested in nursing. Is this okay? Momma seems to want to nurse.

Sarthur2 · May 13, 2015

They will be just fine! They should be eating on their own now plus nursing a little when mom allows. Typically kittens are slowly weaned by their mama between 8 and 12 weeks. Thanks for bringing them in!

StefanZ · May 13, 2015

Dandila said:
Yes, feedings are back to normal and I've noticed her poking around in the woods behind my house. She could be looking for prey to take to the kittens? The last time I went to check one of the toms was underneath the house again and I've noticed he and mom are eating at separate times. Almost like she's got him babysitting for her? She is not in heat and doesn't appear to be upset that he is down there. Weird!

its fully possible. Biologists tell cats are essentially solitary animals, ie mom is alone care taker of the kittens. But in practice, its not unusual at all to see family groups, when the tom is cooperating and helping with the care. Sometimes even the main caretaker. And its even not always the biological father...

Tx for the reports, it easies up in much my day, and may thoughts, I was wondering...

NOW it seems to go into the better and better. The only left for full happiness is you help this tom too. He had deserved it.

dandila · May 14, 2015

It is truly amazing how nature takes care of all the switches and knobs. Made an appointment to have the mother spayed next week. She has already been in heat twice since the kittens were born. I know, once she heals, she'll thank me. The kittens are all black with a ghost tabby pattern. Will the ghost pattern fade as they age? Their mother is solid black with a little white locket.

StefanZ · May 14, 2015

Dandila said:
It is truly amazing how nature takes care of all the switches and knobs. Made an appointment to have the mother spayed next week. She has already been in heat twice since the kittens were born. I know, once she heals, she'll thank me. The kittens are all black with a ghost tabby pattern. Will the ghost pattern fade as they age? Their mother is solid black with a little white locket.

Yes, probably, if they had the tabby gene for real it would manifest itself loud and clear, as its dominant.

Is the dad tabby? (its only a No which gives a clear answer. A yes may be single gene tabby and double gene tabby - where all kittens must become tabbies).

dandila · May 14, 2015

Hmm...that is the mystery. Mother "hung out" with a big brown tabby male and a black and white bi-color and a cream colored tabby and who knows what else? She is very popular in my neighborhood. I don't know who's cats they are but they are going to get a free neuter from me. There is a problem person living at the end of our block whom I suspect is the Tom problem perpetrator. She has about six dogs, some sheep and chickens and lord only knows how many cats. I've been told she owns horses too. Trouble is, this is a suburban neighborhood and far from rural.

Sarthur2 · May 14, 2015

Is it zoned for farm animals?

Semi feral mom and kittens

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