Heavily pregnant stray cat?

beckys96 · May 9, 2015

For the past few months i've been feeding a stray cat that comes into the basement parking of my apartment block, last week i noticed that she was pregnant, and i think she may give birth within the next week.

I don't know if she has found somewhere to nest outside and i am unable to put a box in the basement for her because we aren't allowed to feed the strays and if i place a box there it will just get removed.

For the time being i place food on the roof of my car and i end up with footprints all over the windshield so i know that she has eaten it and it hasn't been thrown away.

I can't take her in and look after her because i already have a cat, and my mother won't let me. Should i take her to the vet for a checkup to see how far along she is?

There are a few charities that would help pay for vet bills etc but I don't know if they would be able to find the cat and her kittens a home

If i were to take her to the vet i can look after her for about 2 weeks but would this be advisable or not since they may end up on the streets again?

I'm going to call up one of the charities to find out what to do and if they would be able to find funding and homes

Or do you think I should just leave her be and let her give birth on her own and hope that the kittens survive?

beckys96 · May 9, 2015

i should also mention that she is very friendly and loving

StefanZ · May 9, 2015

beckys96 said:
For the past few months i've been feeding a stray cat that comes into the basement parking of my apartment block, last week i noticed that she was pregnant, and i think she may give birth within the next week.

I don't know if she has found somewhere to nest outside and i am unable to put a box in the basement for her because we aren't allowed to feed the strays and if i place a box there it will just get removed.

For the time being i place food on the roof of my car and i end up with footprints all over the windshield so i know that she has eaten it and it hasn't been thrown away.

I can't take her in and look after her because i already have a cat, and my mother won't let me. Should i take her to the vet for a checkup to see how far along she is?

There are a few charities that would help pay for vet bills etc but I don't know if they would be able to find the cat and her kittens a home

If i were to take her to the vet i can look after her for about 2 weeks but would this be advisable or not since they may end up on the streets again?

I'm going to call up one of the charities to find out what to do and if they would be able to find funding and homes

Or do you think I should just leave her be and let her give birth on her own and hope that the kittens survive?

The answer is probably rather self given when you ask here.

Take her in if its possible for you, and foster the kittens. With a friendly mom the fostering wont be any big deal. If you have difficulties with finding them adoption homes, Im sure the charities will help you with that. Home raised kittens of suitable ages are rather easy to find homes for. And that is exactly what most of them do, even these who are handling only tame socialized cats. Which is common for many shelters and "Animal Friends" associations.

If you dont manage to find a home for this friendly momma, you can as worst, TNR her. Ie when she is done with the nursing, spay her, let her recover, and let her out again.

While dumping a home girl is a terribly sin and a also a crime, its not so bad here, even if she probably was a home girl once. She had apparantly managed on her own some time, so she does have quite a lot of survival skills. She wont be helpless and will probably survive. Being spayed makes it easier.

beckys96 · May 10, 2015

Unfortunately I've been advised to have her spayed.

I've made the appointment for in 2 days' time and we'll see if she's able to be spayed, if she's too far along then i'll ensure they all end up in loving homes.

I know that this is a cruel thing to do but I don't have much choice, but if I did I certainly would not be doing this, but there are already so many stray cats and kittens looking for homes it just wouldn't be fair to bring more into this world.

StefanZ · May 10, 2015

beckys96 said:
Unfortunately I've been advised to have her spayed.

I've made the appointment for in 2 days' time and we'll see if she's able to be spayed, if she's too far along then i'll ensure they all end up in loving homes.

I know that this is a cruel thing to do but I don't have much choice, but if I did I certainly would not be doing this, but there are already so many stray cats and kittens looking for homes it just wouldn't be fair to bring more into this world.

Late spaying is quite common in some shelters. Because of the reasons you told. So if this vet is used to this, it wont be any extra risks. Which is my guess they send you to their vet, experienced with such late spayings.

A comfort for late spayers is, kittens dont manage well premature deliveries, unlike human babies. So late spaying although unpleasant, isnt as bad as it sounds.

Although I admit, few private rescuers go for a late spaying, most try to let them deliver, and foster them when its so late. Unless the mom is sick or very young and the delivery would be directly dangerous for her life.

So you must decide yourself. Both options are doable, and we will support you whichever way you choose.

Good luck!

Im happy you do care for this cat. She need help, this way or another.

mani · May 10, 2015

Yes, @beckys96, you're doing the very best for this girl, whichever way it goes.

feralkat · May 10, 2015

You're in a tough situation and thank you for caring for this kitty. A vet checkup is a great idea and if she's spayed right away that can make things easier. I hope everything goes smoothly. This kitty is lucky to have you caring for her. Let us know how it goes...best wishes!

beckys96 · May 11, 2015

i tried finding her this evening so that i have her ready to go to the vets in the morning but i spent 7 hours looking for her and i cant find her anywhere

my only guess is that she's found a nest somewhere and already gave birth, i'll try my best to find her and her kittens and see what i'll do from then

on the plus side, while trying to find her i found about seven other strays who all seemed in good health and some were spayed, however, i found a persian cat who seemed to be lost (why would anyone let a rare cat like a persian wander the streets?) so i brought her home and instead i'll take her to the vet tomorrow to check for a microchip

i will continue trying to find the basement cat and hopefully her kittens too if she has given birth

StefanZ · May 11, 2015

beckys96 said:
i tried finding her this evening so that i have her ready to go to the vets in the morning but i spent 7 hours looking for her and i cant find her anywhere

my only guess is that she's found a nest somewhere and already gave birth, i'll try my best to find her and her kittens and see what i'll do from then

on the plus side, while trying to find her i found about seven other strays who all seemed in good health and some were spayed, however, i found a persian cat who seemed to be lost (why would anyone let a rare cat like a persian wander the streets?) so i brought her home and instead i'll take her to the vet tomorrow to check for a microchip

i will continue trying to find the basement cat and hopefully her kittens too if she has given birth

Excellent and well done! Whatever she got astray or got dumped. Freshly such must be helped as soon its possible, its not enough to "keep eyes open" The death rate is highest in the beginning, when they dont have any street smartness nor know how.

If they survive several months, they they have decent chances to live on as homeless... But freshy dumped / astray are in great danger...

Good luck with both these cats!

beckys96 · May 12, 2015

I took her to the vet and they contacted the owner and she's been returned

I personally don't think that woman should own a cat since she was in such bad condition and she lets her out into the streets at midnight but it's not my decision, she lives across the street from me so it was sort of a waste of my time but hopefully this is a warning for her owner that she shouldn't be out alone, anyone else could have easily stolen her and sold her but anyway
I still haven't been able to find the pregnant cat but I'll keep looking

Heavily pregnant stray cat?

beckys96

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beckys96

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StefanZ

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beckys96

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mani

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feralkat

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beckys96

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StefanZ

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beckys96

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