Pearl and her Children

dee01 · Nov 25, 2015

Hi, I am new here, and you guys seem knowledgeable about cats.

I am visiting my mom, who is feeding a semi-feral cat named Pearl. Originally the cat was named Earl, until "he" had kittens about 4 months ago. Pearl has gotten a little tamer over time, especially since having her kittens. One of the kittens is pretty tame, one is a little skittish.

My mom lives in a rural county that has no animal rescue group. Some nearby counties have rescue groups, but they won't help people outside their counties, but will give advice. But I am mostly having to wing it. At the recommendation of one of the animal rescue groups, I called a vet center, and have Pearl scheduled for spaying next Tuesday.

(I really shouldn't have said that out loud, because Pearl doesn't know about the spaying, and she mustn't know

shhhhhh!)

Since these cats have never been to a vet, that means they don't know to be nervous around pet carriers. So I have been feeding Pearl treats inside a pet carrier, and she walks right in. There was one time she walked in, I closed the door, opened the door, and no problem. So hopefully this will work.

I am to catch her Monday and bring her in to the vet center. They will keep her overnight, and spay her the next morning.

I am kind of nervous because I have never done this before. So any tips or moral support are appreciated.

StefanZ · Nov 25, 2015

Dee01 said:
Hi, I am new here, and you guys seem knowledgeable about cats.

I am visiting my mom, who is feeding a semi-feral cat named Pearl. Originally the cat was named Earl, until "he" had kittens about 4 months ago. Pearl has gotten a little tamer over time, especially since having her kittens. One of the kittens is pretty tame, one is a little skittish.

My mom lives in a rural county that has no animal rescue group. Some nearby counties have rescue groups, but they won't help people outside their counties, but will give advice. But I am mostly having to wing it. At the recommendation of one of the animal rescue groups, I called a vet center, and have Pearl scheduled for spaying next Tuesday.

(I really shouldn't have said that out loud, because Pearl doesn't know about the spaying, and she mustn't know shhhhhh!)

Since these cats have never been to a vet, that means they don't know to be nervous around pet carriers. So I have been feeding Pearl treats inside a pet carrier, and she walks right in. There was one time she walked in, I closed the door, opened the door, and no problem. So hopefully this will work.

I am to catch her Monday and bring her in to the vet center. They will keep her overnight, and spay her the next morning.

I am kind of nervous because I have never done this before. So any tips or moral support are appreciated.

Splendid plan and a splendid gift for Pearl. Will you release Pearl where she is, or will you try to foster her as a home kitty?

A tip. Dont wait for the last possible moment for the self catching. This will just put a stress on you.

Catch her when its conventient for you. She may sit there in this carrier even 24 hours if necessary. Have a towel over the most of the carrier, save some air holes. If its dark and safe, she will just stay hidden there, in safety.

dandila · Nov 26, 2015

Oh...good for you to help this poor mother and her kittens. For what it's worth, you can probably go ahead and tell her that she is being freed from a life of cycling in and out of heat, only pausing briefly, to deliver a litter of kittens. Trust me, she will thank you very much. Life outside for unspayed females is rough and forces her to live in constant fear making sure she is able to protect herself and her young.

If you are releasing her back outside it would be nice for you to provide her with some sort of shelter from the elements. These can be made easily out of plastic storage bins with a hole cut into them and packed with some clean straw. Her kittens will begin the breeding cycle in six months from birth so if you could see them through the same procedure it will help them the rest of their lives.

Thank you for all you've done and doing for this cat family in need!

dee01 · Nov 27, 2015

Hi StefanZ:

Pearl likes being an outdoors cat, and she has all the skills to do so. She used to find shelter at different neighbors' structures, but now lives in the garage with her kids. I've set up a warm place for them, which they like. So hopefully Pearl will not be too annoyed at me post-spaying, and will come back to the garage when I let her out, and hang out with the kittens.

I will probably keep her in the house - in the basement - for a few days after spaying. I don't know what to keep her in though. The cat carrier is 24", so big enough to carrier a cat around, but not big enough for her to be in to heal from surgery, while having a litter box and food/water bowls. So I don't know if I can find something bigger for her basement stay?

Thanks for the tip on catching her early if necessary. What are cats like when they are caught? Do they hiss and howl, or do they calm down at some point? A friend said they mostly don't like the actual ride to the vet, because they are not used to motion in a car....

dee01 · Nov 27, 2015

Dandila - Thanks for the words about Pearl thanking me about making her life better. Pearl may not realize she is thanking me, so I will just take it as a given

It helps me to think about it the way you do.

Your comment about shelter... yes, as I mentioned in my previous post, the cats are in the garage, living on a cabinet shelf protected on several sides by the cabinet itself and by a few other things. I got them a self-warming bed, and some of those snugglesafe microwaveable discs. So they are fairly cozy.

About the kittens... Yes, hopefully the spaying will go as planned for Pearl. Then the kittens go next. The vet said they have to be 3 pounds. Someone loaned me a postal scale, and I may try to weigh the tamer kitten. Otherwise, I can take the kittens in for shots at the very least, and have them weighed there. They are only 4 months, but they are getting bigger. I don't know what 3 pounds looks like on a kitten.

StefanZ · Nov 27, 2015

Dee01 said:
Dandila - Thanks for the words about Pearl thanking me about making her life better. Pearl may not realize she is thanking me, so I will just take it as a given It helps me to think about it the way you do.

Your comment about shelter... yes, as I mentioned in my previous post, the cats are in the garage, living on a cabinet shelf protected on several sides by the cabinet itself and by a few other things. I got them a self-warming bed, and some of those snugglesafe microwaveable discs. So they are fairly cozy.

About the kittens... Yes, hopefully the spaying will go as planned for Pearl. Then the kittens go next. The vet said they have to be 3 pounds. Someone loaned me a postal scale, and I may try to weigh the tamer kitten. Otherwise, I can take the kittens in for shots at the very least, and have them weighed there. They are only 4 months, but they are getting bigger. I don't know what 3 pounds looks like on a kitten.

Many vets are OK with 2 pounds kittens, if they are otherwise healthy and no visible problems. This happens usually at 9-11 weeks, which are when they are often spayed, in the countries where they believe in early spaying.

So I suspect yours are at least 3 pounds now - with good margin - , unless very petite and minuscule. Also, some early bloomers MAY get pregnant not much after the 4 months, so beware.

Do it rather quickly now.

StefanZ · Nov 27, 2015

Dee01 said:
Dandila - Thanks for the words about Pearl thanking me about making her life better. Pearl may not realize she is thanking me, so I will just take it as a given It helps me to think about it the way you do.

Your comment about shelter... yes, as I mentioned in my previous post, the cats are in the garage, living on a cabinet shelf protected on several sides by the cabinet itself and by a few other things. I got them a self-warming bed, and some of those snugglesafe microwaveable discs. So they are fairly cozy.

About the kittens... Yes, hopefully the spaying will go as planned for Pearl. Then the kittens go next. The vet said they have to be 3 pounds. Someone loaned me a postal scale, and I may try to weigh the tamer kitten. Otherwise, I can take the kittens in for shots at the very least, and have them weighed there. They are only 4 months, but they are getting bigger. I don't know what 3 pounds looks like on a kitten.

Yeah, a releasing alike in TNR is no bad alternative, as she is used to such live, its no pity on her. I just asked.

A similiar question for her kittens. Kittens are much easier to foster. But as I see they are already 4 months, shy, and trained by their seasoned momma, they will too do OK as TNR:ed.

If you dont have possibilites to keep them inside and foster, dont have bad conscience. They will do OK as your outside cats too - esp as I understand you will continue to help them if they want and need?

StefanZ · Nov 27, 2015

Dee01 said:
Hi StefanZ:

Pearl likes being an outdoors cat, and she has all the skills to do so. She used to find shelter at different neighbors' structures, but now lives in the garage with her kids. I've set up a warm place for them, which they like. So hopefully Pearl will not be too annoyed at me post-spaying, and will come back to the garage when I let her out, and hang out with the kittens.

I will probably keep her in the house - in the basement - for a few days after spaying. I don't know what to keep her in though. The cat carrier is 24", so big enough to carrier a cat around, but not big enough for her to be in to heal from surgery, while having a litter box and food/water bowls. So I don't know if I can find something bigger for her basement stay?

Thanks for the tip on catching her early if necessary. What are cats like when they are caught? Do they hiss and howl, or do they calm down at some point? A friend said they mostly don't like the actual ride to the vet, because they are not used to motion in a car....

A healthy semiferale has a healing meat and immune system way above average. So they usually heal much quicker than a typical family girl. While you count at least a full week for a fmily girl, with free of duties for another week to recover fully, (they do have good immune system - because if they dont have, they do perish. Thus, surviing into adult hood is not only being lucky etc, but also, having a good natural immune system)

semiferales are typically released after 3 days if its possible, but I have known examples when they are releassed after 24 hours, if its necessary.

When caught, they often hiss etc - its wise of the catcher to be wary, and have thick gloves! But most often they do calm quickly enough, when they notice there is no immediate danger. Especielly if you lay on a towel on the trap / carrier, so its alike a calm, safe hole. So some waiting time is really good, so she has time to calm down / resign, before the vet mets her.

dee01 · Nov 27, 2015

StefanZ said:
Many vets are OK with 2 pounds kittens, if they are otherwise healthy and no visible problems. This happens usually at 9-11 weeks, which are when they are often spayed, in the countries where they believe in early spaying.

So I suspect yours are at least 3 pounds now - with good margin - , unless very petite and minuscule. Also, some early bloomers MAY get pregnant not much after the 4 months, so beware.

Do it rather quickly now.

My Mom would prefer to adopt the kittens out. But without a rescue group in this county, we would have to adopt them out ourselves, and find suitable people. I am working on the spaying/neutering for now. First things first

StefanZ said:
Yeah, a releasing alike in TNR is no bad alternative, as she is used to such live, its no pity on her. I just asked.

A similiar question for her kittens. Kittens are much easier to foster. But as I see they are already 4 months, shy, and trained by their seasoned momma, they will too do OK as TNR:ed.

If you dont have possibilites to keep them inside and foster, dont have bad conscience. They will do OK as your outside cats too - esp as I understand you will continue to help them if they want and need?

Oh, the good thing is, the vet keeps cats overnight after spaying. SO that is one night it will be indoors. Then any extra night I can keep her in is a bonus.

Thanks for the tips below on the catching and recovery process. All this is helping me to gain a comfort level.

StefanZ said:
A healthy semiferale has a healing meat and immune system way above average. So they usually heal much quicker than a typical family girl. While you count at least a full week for a fmily girl, with free of duties for another week to recover fully, (they do have good immune system - because if they dont have, they do perish. Thus, surviing into adult hood is not only being lucky etc, but also, having a good natural immune system)

semiferales are typically released after 3 days if its possible, but I have known examples when they are releassed after 24 hours, if its necessary.

When caught, they often hiss etc - its wise of the catcher to be wary, and have thick gloves! But most often they do calm quickly enough, when they notice there is no immediate danger. Especielly if you lay on a towel on the trap / carrier, so its alike a calm, safe hole. So some waiting time is really good, so she has time to calm down / resign, before the vet mets her.

dee01 · Dec 8, 2015

Couldn't catch Pearl this time. Took one of the kittens in today to be neutered. There is another appointment later in the week for Pearl and the other kitten.

I guess this was good as a Plan B. The kitten made a little noise on the ride over, but not that much. Then we sat in the car for a hour in front of the vet building to bond and unwind, before going in

dee01 · Dec 10, 2015

This is the first kitten, eating supper in a (super big) carrier. I opened the cage door and snuck a photo.

He is now neutered, and recovering. The blue bowl with the green lid is because he knocked over that water bowl first. So now it is a bowl with a water lid in it

He turned out to be tamer than expected.

IMG_20151210_205125262.jpg

dee01
Dec 10, 2015

kittyluv387 · Dec 10, 2015

Great job! It wasnt Pearl but still awesome when you can get any stray fixed.

dee01 · Dec 11, 2015

Thanks for the moral support, Kittyluv387!

The other kitten was caught yesterday and is getting surgery as we speak. *whew!*

We may have a new plan for Pearl: ... set up a vet appointment, then try catching her up to 1 week before. And arrange with them that we bring her in when we catch her, and we'll pay for boarding if she needs to stay there several nights before surgery.

kittyluv387 · Dec 16, 2015

Have you been able to capture Pearl? How is the 2nd kitten recovering?

dee01 · Dec 16, 2015

Kittyluv387 - The 2nd kitten is doing great! Both kittens are living the pampered lifestyle, while recovering.

Pearl... No we haven't caught her yet, but have made some progress:

* the vet clinic has agreed to having us just bring her in whenever we catch her, and they will work her into the schedule

* the neighbor who helped us catch the kittens has showed us how to work the humane trap, and I video taped his instructions.

Now we are trying to put food successively further into the trap, to get Pearl going in the trap (which is in the garage). However, the weather is not good lately, so it may be a few days before we are consistently doing that. My mom and I both have health issues, and that makes this harder for us to brave the elements and do this.

Dee

kittychick · Dec 16, 2015

Hope you were able to get Pearl-you're doing such a wonderful, kind thing by getting everyone fixed. You've made life so much less stressful & healthier for all of them!

dee01 · Dec 16, 2015

Hi KittyChick - Thanks for the kind words!

They are greatly appreciated, as this so far has been a hard job.

I will update you when Pearl has been captured

If she would only understand this is for her own good!

Dee

kittychick · Dec 16, 2015

You'll get her

Ferals are generally amazingly trap-smart/trap-wary so it sounds like you're doing it right (slowly!). You'll get her eventually - desire for yummy food wins out 99% of the time once they get relatively used to the appearance of the trap. Good example of that is the fact that a lot of us on this forum have experienced the "I keep trapping the same cat" fun

And sounds like Pearl's not in immediate danger of exposure/starvation/etc.

Catching her's an important, wonderfully compassionate thing - but cut yourself slack if it takes an extra few days

Huge battle won is getting a vet who'll take her "whenever"---most of us aren't that lucky

Keep us posted

dee01 · Dec 17, 2015

KittyChick - Thanks for the uplifting post!

It's good to know that cats have gone into traps repeatedly for people here. Today I bought a variety of things: mackerel, sardines, canned salmon... I will test these things and see if Pearl likes them. I read somewhere (maybe on here?) that cats need smelly lures.

What foods tend to work well to lure cats?

Yeah, over time, the vet center has cut us a break. My sister has been bringing her pet cat in there a lot lately, and she is the one conversing with the vet people, and that has helped a lot.

zed xyzed · Dec 17, 2015

What are the plans for the little ones that you caught? One suggestion is that if you have a car, make sure that you smack the hood or beep the horn before starting. Mind you now modern cars are a little safer as many don't have the fan blade turning with the engine, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Pearl and her Children

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