Spaying Mama of 5 kittens...

Hey all, I've been cruising the site looking for some information and figured I would just drop a line and see if someone could weigh in and provide some guidance - maybe someone has been down this path before?.

There is a stray/feral female cat (Mama - original, right?) that's been hanging around the neighborhood for the last year or 2.  She usually takes up residence under a neighbors woodpile, however over the last 2 months I've seen her hanging around my yard - possibly as a result of the 3 indoor cats I have?  Not sure if she was ever someone's pet, but she's been living outside for the last few years and is pretty skittish when I try to approach her...

In any event, this cute stray/feral has given birth to 3 litters of kittens over the last 3 years.  She had the first 2 litters under my neighbors woodpile.  He trapped most of the kittens and got them spayed/neutered, but he was never able to trap Mama.  He came close on a few occasions, but she is pretty smart and knows exactly what's happening.

When I saw her hanging around my house, I figured she was roaming the neighborhood a bit and didn't think much of it, although she looked a little "chubby" (most of you already know where this story is leading).  A few weeks went by and I hadn't seen Mama around, so I started to worry a bit (I should have known).  Fast forward and there are 5 little fur balls bouncing around in my garden while Mama suns herself on my lawn!!!!!

Sooooo, now the work begins.  I started feeding Mama and all 5 kittens with the trap present, but not actually eating out of the trap - that way they see it and don't think much off it.  I did that for about a week, then started feeding them out of the trap without trying to trap them.  Did that for another week and called to make an appointment for Mama to be spayed.  That takes us to this morning, where I was able to successfully trap Mama all by herself so that she could be taken to the vet to be spayed - finally.

So here are the questions - Now what?!  The kittens are still in my yard, I was hoping to trap them and try to adopt them out.  I estimate them to be about 8 weeks old - I have been feeding them for about a month and they looked a few weeks old when they first emerged from their "den".  All 5 pile into the trap at the same time, so I don't see any issues in trying to trap them.

I didn't want to separate them from Mama too young, but at the same time I don't want them to become too feral and afraid of people to the point where they cannot be adopted.  I was considering taking them in to foster them for a while, but having 3 cats of my own that would mean dedicating a whole room just to the kittens - which still isn't out of the question because they're kittens and who doesn't love kittens?

So that is the current state of things - trying to figure out what the best course of action is.  The kittens are still "nursing" however they eat hard and soft food twice a day, and they eat like they've never been fed before, so I'm guessing the nursing is more for comfort than nutrition at this point.  I am not opposed to TNR, however I'd like to see these cute kittens live the longest, healthiest, happiest life they can rather than a rough life outdoors.  The neighborhood is relatively safe - I'm at the end of a dead end, which comes off a dead end - but the outdoor life is a rough one nonetheless...

Any input or guidance is greatly welcomed.   Thanks in advance!

It sounds like, yes, the kittens are probably 7-8 weeks.  I would move them indoors into the spare room.  Yes, it is work, but if you can get them accustomed to being handled, they have a chance at being indoor cats.  Frankly, they could have left mama sooner but now is a fine time.

 Mama will probably be a TNR...unless she is only quasi-feral and you can touch her.  Still a better life than litter after litter.  Plus, she may help with keeping the rodents out of the woodpile.

The kittens may or may not come around--you can also get them altered and look for homes as barn cats if they are only so-so in the sociability department.  But if you want to try to gentle the kittens, they really should come inside and be separated from mama.  Otherwise they will quickly become distrustful of people.

5 kittens is a fairly good investment as far as FeLV test, flea treatments, and dewormings, not to mention vaccines and fixing.  If you are savvy you can get a lot of this OTC and it'll be cheaper, but be sure you can afford to do right by them.  I would hate for your indoor cats to get fleas or something like that.

AgSurfer11 said:

 
Hey all, I've been cruising the site looking for some information and figured I would just drop a line and see if someone could weigh in and provide some guidance - maybe someone has been down this path before?.

There is a stray/feral female cat (Mama - original, right?) that's been hanging around the neighborhood for the last year or 2.  She usually takes up residence under a neighbors woodpile, however over the last 2 months I've seen her hanging around my yard - possibly as a result of the 3 indoor cats I have?  Not sure if she was ever someone's pet, but she's been living outside for the last few years and is pretty skittish when I try to approach her...

In any event, this cute stray/feral has given birth to 3 litters of kittens over the last 3 years.  She had the first 2 litters under my neighbors woodpile.  He trapped most of the kittens and got them spayed/neutered, but he was never able to trap Mama.  He came close on a few occasions, but she is pretty smart and knows exactly what's happening.

When I saw her hanging around my house, I figured she was roaming the neighborhood a bit and didn't think much of it, although she looked a little "chubby" (most of you already know where this story is leading).  A few weeks went by and I hadn't seen Mama around, so I started to worry a bit (I should have known).  Fast forward and there are 5 little fur balls bouncing around in my garden while Mama suns herself on my lawn!!!!!

Sooooo, now the work begins.  I started feeding Mama and all 5 kittens with the trap present, but not actually eating out of the trap - that way they see it and don't think much off it.  I did that for about a week, then started feeding them out of the trap without trying to trap them.  Did that for another week and called to make an appointment for Mama to be spayed.  That takes us to this morning, where I was able to successfully trap Mama all by herself so that she could be taken to the vet to be spayed - finally.

So here are the questions - Now what?!  The kittens are still in my yard, I was hoping to trap them and try to adopt them out.  I estimate them to be about 8 weeks old - I have been feeding them for about a month and they looked a few weeks old when they first emerged from their "den".  All 5 pile into the trap at the same time, so I don't see any issues in trying to trap them.

I didn't want to separate them from Mama too young, but at the same time I don't want them to become too feral and afraid of people to the point where they cannot be adopted.  I was considering taking them in to foster them for a while, but having 3 cats of my own that would mean dedicating a whole room just to the kittens - which still isn't out of the question because they're kittens and who doesn't love kittens?

So that is the current state of things - trying to figure out what the best course of action is.  The kittens are still "nursing" however they eat hard and soft food twice a day, and they eat like they've never been fed before, so I'm guessing the nursing is more for comfort than nutrition at this point.  I am not opposed to TNR, however I'd like to see these cute kittens live the longest, healthiest, happiest life they can rather than a rough life outdoors.  The neighborhood is relatively safe - I'm at the end of a dead end, which comes off a dead end - but the outdoor life is a rough one nonetheless...

Any input or guidance is greatly welcomed.   Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

Congrats to managing trap and spay the mom!   This is the most hard part.

As I understand, its fully feasible for you to take them in and foster them, as long as you know its the right thing to do?

Yes, it is.  Its even a little hurry now.

This with them being with mom to minimum 8 weeks has some exceptions.   One of them is exactly such a situation:  A shy semiferal mom, and a fostering home waiting...

So take them in, and begin with intensive  fostering  asap!  Its easier now than later...

The mom you will turn out TNR - easiest so.  Unless she during the recovery time shows herself as fully possible to socialize - this happens.

Her recovery will prob not be very long - succesfull semiferales has a good healong meat.

If it is very important for you to keep mom with kittens - it is probably possible - semiferale moms, after landing, and recognizing there is no real danger to her nor the kittens, usually do accept the situation.   She may remain shy, but with any luck, she will allow you to handle and socialize the kittens.  No 100% quaranties, but this happens surprising often.

And you are after all her food provider...

So, play THIS tune by the ear.   As long as you help the kittens fostered and socialized, there are several possible variations.

You have seen the kittens the whole time.  If the mom is healthy too - they do some check up before spaying - you dont need to overdo the quarantine against your residents.  so for example, felv testing not necessary if it costs...

Essentially just deworming and defleasing...

You work of course the whole time with their socialization.   After the quarantinge is over, you can hopefully let them meet your residents, and hopefully get some ambassadeur work by your residents...

This is some for the beginning.  Please come with further questions.

Hey all, thanks for the advice, guidance, and support.  It is certainly a heart wrenching thing to separate Mama from her kittens, but I believe it is for the best, so I push forward…

Quick update - Last night I was able to trap 2 of the 5 kittens.  I had 4 in the trap at once, but felt terrible leaving one out overnight by his lonesome without Mama around, so I waited in hopes that he would join the others, but he didn't and 2 left the trap, so I just took the two I could get...

I set the two up in a large dog crate in a spare room with the door closed.  Nice and quiet, they have the room to themselves.  I left them with food and water, a blanket to snuggle in, and a litterbox in the crate.  I set them up last night, checked on them this morning and have left them alone since.  I don’t want to overwhelm them or stress them anymore than they already are, so I’m trying to give them a little time to get used to the new sights and smells.  Hoping this is the right approach.  I plan one trying to start working with them and socializing them this evening and tomorrow.

I tried to trap the other 3 this morning, but wasn’t able to get all 3 in the trap at once.  Same as last night, I had 2 in, but the third wouldn’t go, so I held off.  I’m going to try again tonight, hoping to get all 3 in one shot so I can reunite them with their littermates.

Mama was released this afternoon back into my yard after I picking her up from the vet.  Hoping that she doesn’t get spooked and leave the area and take the remaining 3 with her, so I’m going to do what I can to keep them hanging around long enough for me to trap the other 3. 

Any suggestions on how to start with socializing?  Should I withhold food and use “feeding time” as a way to start the socializing process?  I usually leave food out all the time for my cats, and it seems to work fine – they’re all in good health and at good weights – so I am not sure what to do.  I feel bad withholding food, especially after trapping and changing the kitten’s environments, but if that’s the best way to go about it then I’ll stop leaving food in the crate with them.  Thanks again for the help.

I wouldn't recommend leaving food with them all the time.  If you can provide them with small meals 4-5 times a day it will help them associate you with "good things."  The best way to begin socializing is taking them to a small space like a bathroom or laundry to feed.  At first, you may just want to sit quietly with them, talking softly and saying sweet reassurances to them.  Being young, it shouldn't be too long before they begin getting closer and closer to you.  It is important that they approach you which is why the small space is key.

You can try to offer them food from your hand...I've not had any luck with that but have heard with certain yummy foods, its possible.  Most of mine have become so kitten curious they jumped in my lap just to see if I was fun.  If they come close enough to you you can try stroking their heads...behind the ears.  Toys are great ice breakers too.