missing litter

I started taking care of a stray cat a few months ago. I first saw her in our driveway, huddled in one corner with her litter. However, one of our neighbors decided that they should be taking care of young strays so they took the kittens withoutus knowing. Anyway, recently the same cat got pregnant again. almost a week ago, her belly shrank so I assumed she gave birth. Problem is, we don't know where she gave birth. I tried tracking the kittens down with her but I still haven't found them. and for the past few days, she would be gone for longer periods of time compare to when she had no kittens to feed. However, yesterday she started hanging out at the house longer again, as if she didn't have anything else to do. My worst fear is that eitherthe kittens died or one of the other male strays ate them. Any tips on how to proceed?

karlybird7 said:

I started taking care of a stray cat a few months ago. I first saw her in our driveway, huddled in one corner with her litter. However, one of our neighbors decided that they should be taking care of young strays so they took the kittens withoutus knowing. Anyway, recently the same cat got pregnant again. almost a week ago, her belly shrank so I assumed she gave birth. Problem is, we don't know where she gave birth. I tried tracking the kittens down with her but I still haven't found them. and for the past few days, she would be gone for longer periods of time compare to when she had no kittens to feed. However, yesterday she started hanging out at the house longer again, as if she didn't have anything else to do. My worst fear is that eitherthe kittens died or one of the other male strays ate them. Any tips on how to proceed?

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Can you touch her and handle her?  We had a similiar case recently, and the helper used a tracking device...

Otherwise, its just to proceed to give her food and water, be her food source, so you are sure she stays around.  And when the situation has clearead up, this way or another, take her in and spay her.   TNR or fostering, depending on your exact situation and possiblilites.

If spaying including abortion is a big problem for you, take her NOW, and let her out after 24 hours,  so she can proceed to take care of her kittens, if they are still there.

Your neigbours did a good thing helping them kittens to become home cats. But they should of course do their outmost to spay her at the same time.  NOW she is more vary of humans - she KNOWS they may just kidnap her children...

Sometimes the ferale moms do realize them humans are helping her children by taking them - it happens even them come with the kittens to humans, to get them adopted out.  But if they dont understand it, the survival instins kicks in...  And they become wary.

Tx for caring!

Good luck!

She lets me stroke her and loves cuddling with me at my feet actually. But even before, she doesn't really like anyone lifting her.

I read somewhere about that thing where I have to feed her everyday to help her familiarize a safe place. I'm just really concerned that she hasn't shown up with her kittens in tow yet.

And about the neighbors, they actually do take in strays. But what bothered me is that they took the kittens while they were still too young. And they didn't even keep the mom with them. A day after they took the kittens, the mom came started hanging out at our house again. Is it really normal for a cat to abandon her litter like that?

Thanks for the tips btw. I'll keep them in mind.

karlybird7 said:

 
She lets me stroke her and loves cuddling with me at my feet actually. But even before, she doesn't really like anyone lifting her.

I read somewhere about that thing where I have to feed her everyday to help her familiarize a safe place. I'm just really concerned that she hasn't shown up with her kittens in tow yet.

And about the neighbors, they actually do take in strays. But what bothered me is that they took the kittens while they were still too young. And they didn't even keep the mom with them. A day after they took the kittens, the mom came started hanging out at our house again. Is it really normal for a cat to abandon her litter like that?

Thanks for the tips btw. I'll keep them in mind.

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Nay, its not the common.  Although if they took her kittens and left her outside, what can she do?   Although most would seek after them, mourn etc...   I dont know, perhaps they scared her so she forgot to mourn and seek.

Great advice, Stefanz! She eventually brought her kitten back to the same spot in the garage where she had her previous litter. What worried me is that there was only one kitten. :/

I'm happy to hear she came back with one of the babies! I hope she returns with more. *fingers crossed*

karlybird7 said:

 
Great advice, Stefanz! She eventually brought her kitten back to the same spot in the garage where she had her previous litter. What worried me is that there was only one kitten. :/

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Yes, what is the further development?  Any news?