Help! Immense guilt about kitten left behind, I took siblings and mom :(

I need advice. I'm on the verge of tears because I feel so guilty right now.

About a week ago, I noticed a litter of stray kitties outside the apartment building garage right across my street. 

I went over and left some wet food on some paper plates, and 4 kittens and their mom came trotting over.

They were skittish, so I just let them eat in peace.

I fed them at night time for 4 days, and then today enlisted my boyfriend to try to help me catch them. We were armed with 2 carriers (one small, one medium large), and food.

We caught the mom, and one baby first pretty easily. Brought them back home and let them in the bathroom, so we could have the carriers open to catch the other 3. The 3rd kitten came waltzing towards us, and was an easy catch.

The other two were nowhere to be seen, so we brought the 3rd kitten back home to our bathroom to free up the carrier,

When we came back, the other two were hiding under the cars, but then bolted and hid inside a locked door.

Thankfully, the building manager and her son noticed us, and he unlocked the doors and after a bit of a chase (sorry kitty!) we caught the 4th kitten (poor thing was absolutely terrified, and bit and scratched the crap out of my boyfriend.)

We learned from them that someone had been feeding the cats every morning, and they were happy we wanted to catch them and bring them to a shelter.

The last, 5th kitten was no where to be seen. We hung around in the garage for an hour, but they didn't come out of hiding.

We decided to give up the search for then, and then went back home. There was no way we were going to let the 4th kitten out in the bathroom and have to recatch them, so we easily loaded up the other three into the large carrier and off to the animal shelter we went.

We dropped off the mom and her three babies at the shelter (they have 24/7 drop off for strays) and they had us put the mom and one baby in once kennel, and then the other two babies in another (the large one that would fit them all was occupied). 

We went back home, and straight over to the other garage. The owner's son let us in again. 

My heart broke as we head the pitiful cries of the kitten as they meowed in anguish searching for their siblings and mom

Of course, kitten was a lot more wary of us now, and easily outran us while going under cars, outside the gate (where there is no human access), and back and forth.

We had the kitty cornered in a room that had a gate that led outside, and a bunch of stuff underneath the stairs. 

My boyfriend managed to crawl under the stairs, and she bolted out. I reached out, and managed to snatch her up. I had her in my hands for about 5 seconds, but she bit and scratched and squirmed and got away.

She bolted  back outside and to the adjacent apartment parking lot, where we had no access.

At this point, it was 11pm, so we decided to call it a night.

I just feel so incredibly guilty. I wish I never would of bothered trying to catch them, because now I've destroyed their happy little family and that poor kitten is all alone now. 

We are going to try to catch them again tomorrow, but I don't know if we will succeed. 

I'm so sad and upset right now. And frustrated, because I had them in my hands, I just couldn't hold on long enough. 

I really just wanted to try to help them get off the streets where they could be hit by cars, attacked by dogs, or harmed by people, but now I just feel like a terrible person. 

Any tips on how to catch the last kitten?

From going off pictures online, I'd say hes's 9-11 weeks or so. I left some wet food and water that was mixed with a little KMR formula, just for some extra protein and vitamins.

Thank you for any advice at all.

EDIT- I do realize now what an idiotic plan it was to try to catch 5 sorta skittish kitties with only 2 carriers and no humane traps. I'm regretting it so much already. I was just so concerned that a bad person would catch them, and then use them as dog bait or sell em to a class B dealer, or otherwise harm them. Or they'd get hit by a car. 

And now I am freaking out about the bites we sustained and the possibility of infection. Such. A. Bad. Idea.

You're Angels for helping these little ones, stop beating yourself  YOU only have ONE LEFT! 

Is it not possible to borrow a Cat trap cage from where ever you dropped them off at?  

Try playing sound effects of kitten mews on your phone, a mom calling out to babies download or easy to fast record off youtube   That  hopefully will bring her into where you're feeding her searching.  Are you feeding her same time daily? then she starts to depend on you... Low traffic times. Sweaters gloves for scratches flashlight for you.  Sounds like you have crates towels, blankets must be cold where ever you are.  She must be hungry the smelliest  yummiest meat may interest her but she may be to young to eat it ? If you can get a hold of a cat trap that saves you allot of time you just camouflage then wait. You can catch her but need to do it fast, she's looking for her home someone may also pick her up       

*You're doing a Great Job!  

I agree with Seventhheaven  you did a kind and wonderful thing. I also agree with the recommendation to use a recording of a momma cat calling her kittens. My sister was fostering 4 kittens and they got out of their room and were hiding somewhere in the house. They played a recording and in a few minutes they all showed up. Good luck getting the  last little one 

Here is a great recording of a mom calling her kittens  

Is the shelter strictly no-kill?  You have to ask them very directly by saying "do you euthanize animals here?" or "is this a kill shelter?"  Otherwise, you won't get a truthful answer.  

The shelter in my county is in the same building as the Humane Society on opposite sides.  But the shelter kills, while the HS does not.  Very confusing.  I've heard several different people wrongly tell me our shelter does not kill anymore.  That is not true.  And people turn kitties and puppies over to them thinking they will find good homes.  Very frustrating and sad!

One way to entice the 5th kitten is to puree some sardines (without the bones) or just open a can of pate.  A fishing net might be helpful too.  

You are doing a good thing helping these kitties!  I understand how you feel though.

Without a doubt, you did the right thing.  If you can borrow a trap from the shelter, do so.  Bait it with anything stinky (although Gerber chicken baby food works wonders, too).

If you can find a hiding space for yourselves, try putting the food in the carrier.  Tie a length of twine to the door, loop the end through the holes in the top of the carrier and then walk away with the other end in your hand to the hiding place.  When the kitten goes into the carrier, pull the twine to close the door.  You will have to be stealthy and fast to secure the door.  You can also do this with a dog crate, if you think the kitten will more likely go into it.

In any case, tend to your bites - you may want to get a tetanus shot and certainly some antibiotic ointment or pills.  Check with the shelter and see if they've tested mom and the other kittens.  If they have any infections, you'll want to know.

Please keep trying to catch this kitten.  Left to his/her own devices, he/she probably won't survive.

You did the right thing!

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.

I went to the shelter to borrow a trap, oh my gosh, that was a headache.

Took two buses to get there, and called ahead prior too make sure they had them. The lady said that I would have to get a permit first, and that the permit is free. It'd be a $50 deposit, plus $5 per day rental taken out of deposit. 

Got there, the lady gave me a permit paper. She says I have to fill out the application, and then she'll call someone to come talk to me.

Sounds informal, so everything is going smooth at this point. 

Then the guy comes over, and tells me that I have to post flyers saying there is going to be trapping on xyz days at xyz times for the entire neighborhood. He said I have to do this for five days, and then I can come back and rent the trap. 

When I explained the situation more, that I had already caught the other kittens and mom last night, and that it was inside my neighbors parking garage, and I had their permission, he said that "he was a small fish in a big pond" and that I should pretty much be grateful that my application even got approved. I expressed I just feel really bad for the lonely kitten, and want to reunite them with their family. He said come back in 5 days.

Needless to say, I was very frustrated at this point.

On my walk to the bus stop, decided to stop by home depot. Low and behold, they sold havahart traps there! Got one for $30. (Plan to transfer kitty from trap to carrier to avoid the whole permit business.

Set the trap in the parking garage in an area where the kitties were known to bolt and hide. 

Played the momma cat and kitten recordings, kitten came out and started trotting over. Moment it saw us, it bolted back outside where people can't go. 

We left the trap set with some yummy food, and went back home. The manager's son is watching the security cameras, and we are hoping she will go in and get caught.

My boyfriend is starting to feel like we are a nuisance over there, and I am as well. 

We put the trap on top of the towel that their mom and siblings were on yesterday, hoping the familiar scent will draw her in it as well.

The son fed her breakfast, so she probably isn't all that hungry.

If we don't get her tonight, my boyfriend thinks we might have to give up.

I''m going to see if maybe the manager's son would want to keep the trap for now so they can catch the kitten and then give us a call once they have them.

Fingers crossed we nab a kitty, but I worry it's going to be a sleepless night again.

Wow you guys are amazing, I can't tell you how much respect I have for you and your boyfriend. I hope you can catch the little guy. How are you playing the youtube video? what type fo phone are you using? I think that there are ways to have it loop, so that you can put the phone in the trap while you stay out of site.

Don't beat yourself up. You were trying to do the right thing, and we don't always have the best ideas when we think with our hearts. You will probably run into stray litters of kittens a few times in your life, and next time you will know the right way to handle the situation.

Anxious to hear how this is gonna play out. Hope it gets a happy ending.

I don't think you sound like a nuisance at all - just two very kind, compassionate people - and even the manager's family seems to understand that! don't give up yet if possible - you've gone through 99% of the hard stuff already between all of the other trapping/buying the trap/etc. If the kitten is 9-11 weeks, chances are he'll survive until you can get him (ESP since you're providing plenty of nutrition). I know how upsetting it is to hear him cry for momma - but sounds like he's just old enough to be weaned (plus you're feeding him) so starvation won't happen before you get him. I know it's upsetting - I'm not minimizing your feelings at all (I'd be in tears too & worrying). But shortly his panic over the weird scary trap will lessen & his desire for stinky yummy food (mackerel is our "go to" trap draw) will win. You'll get him - don't give up! And use this forum for support ---you're doing a wonderful thing!!!

Thanks everyone for the kind words, they mean a lot as I continue to beat myself up over the last kitten still being out there. I've been hearing meowing all day to today. My brains definitely not helping the cause.

To keep everyone updated, we received a call from the son later this evening. I got so excited, thinking they caught the kitty in the trap. Alas, he was calling to inform us that the kitten was under a car, above the tire. We went over, and the kitten managed to weasel it's way into the engine of the truck! 

Thankfully, it was the owner's truck, so they popped open the hood and the poor dear bolted out and went outside under the gate of a neighboring building. Curse the construction people for making the whole thing easy to access the outside and cat sized escape routes galore.

It's not even that cold here compared to other places where it snows, but the kitty seemed pretty content hanging up in the tire hood and in the engine, which concerns me greatly. Especially now that she is alone, I feel that a warm, hidden spot up inside a car is probably very appealing to her. Which worries me greatly. 

We smeared a mix of chicken cat pate cat food and fancy feast broths with ocean fish (super smelly in my opinion, all we had on hand right now) for the bait for the trap and left it set for over night.

Since everyone realized at this point there is no use in trying to catch the cat (I realized this last night, but the building manager family seemed to think it was still possible) and corner them into the carrier, we offered to let them use the trap until the kitty is caught.

We told the son that the trap needed to be checked first thing in morning, and very frequently each day. ideally every 4 hours at most. We also told him to leave out a bowl of water near the trap too, and to start feeding only in the trap. 

And that we would drop off some cat food later today when we get off of work for them to have on hand (I'm getting every gross, smelly, kitty seafood/fish food that I can find. And tuna, mackerel, any sort of canned fish food with nothing added. I already have some chicken baby food too as well that I just found.)

Along with to text or call 24/7, any time at all if the cat is trapped so we can pick them up and bring em to the shelter to join their family. 

Bring on the Christmas kitty!

We are bound to catch the kitten now, right? I mean, he's only going to feed in the trap now, so that should be good. And the kitten definitely does NOT like my boyfriend or I now (can't blame the poor thing at this point), so us not coming over anymore should help too I'd imagine.

I'll be sure to keep everyone updated, surely we will get this little meowser now. 

The trap is one that opens on two sides (and the option to do one door only is broken, the easy set handle on top won't stay up), and we have it set where it's up against a wall and partially in a hidey area too.

Yes, please keep us posted on catching the last kitten, in this cold weather.

I have had some experience in catching feral kittens, and also realize sometimes you can't catch them.

One thing you haven't yet tried, is bringing one of your other cats, or the sibling of the kitten, in a carrier, and encourage it to call to the feral kitten. The lost kitten will almost certainly respond, and you can figure out where it is. It will also be more trusting if the one calling sounds comfortable with you. One of my older cats figured out how to help me catch the wild ones, and seemed to understand what I was doing.

My rule of thumb is that it is not possible to fully domesticate a feral cat that is more than a month old. But having an older cat (better female, but even male) or a sibling together with it is very important for calming down a young kitten that is desperate for its mother. One of my older males was very solicitous of anxious young kittens, and would lick them carefully to comfort them.

In catching the cat, be sure to prepare pillowcases and old towels, to hold and wrap it -- and prevent your skin from being shredded. Usually the cat will give in when it is surrounded by something soft, and in the dark. But if it sees an escape route, it will struggle desperately and claw you. 

I have used Valium, about an eighth of a pill, to calm a very distraught feral cat, so it could be treated. Feral cats need about double the anesthetic needed for domestic cats.

My further technique for domestication, other than food, is to wipe the kitten, when caught, with a damp warm washcloth over the face and in the ears, as a mother would lick it. Heating a damp washcloth in a microwave for 20 secs is one way to prepare, fast. Also, use the plastic barrel of a syringe to force a little soft food or milk into the cat's mouth, when it is too tense and afraid to eat on its own. It may then realize you are trying to help it, and begin to eat voluntarily.

Maybe you readers know all these tricks already, but I got inspired by the story of trying to catch the kitten ...

Linda in Taiwan

You will get him. The main thing I think you're getting at this point is that catching by hand isn't an option. Biggest advice at this point - once you catch him - don't under any circumstances open the trap!!!! Let the vet do it only If you try - even to comfort him (& it's tempting!!!!) - he'll bolt & be so wary of the trap it'll make it virtually impossible. But you're doing it right (the trap does function correctly, right?)---and we have used another kitten as a lure in a second (closed securely!!!) trap backed end to end with the one end of the set trap only open. I wouldn't resort to that yet - tempting food almost always wins once the total fear of the "strange thing" (the trap) abaits. Do you have it covered with a beach towel or something? We find that works the best - but if you don't have it that way now, I wouldn't start. Don't change the routine - he'll give in once the trap feeding feels "routine." It feels like it takes forever in your time - but remember - he's alive because he's got the street smarts mom gave him He'll make it a few days till you catch him. Happy Christmas trapping thoughts!

I wish I still had the momma or one of the other siblings in my possession, but they are at the rescue now and I can't take one back to use temporary.

The trap is an easy set one, with a handle on top that sets both doors. I tried putting a towel over it yesterday while testing it out in my apartment, and the towel prevented the trap from functioning correctly. While I can't set the one door option (the wire is too short or too long), it functions just fine with the 2 door option where it's an open tunnel. 

That's why I set the trap on top of the towel I used in the carrier with the mom and babies, so it has a familiar scent. 

I don't think the kitten is at the point where I'd say they are feral. They used to come trotting over when I fed/the son fed them, and being touched while eating or having me sit a couple feet away wasn't a problem. I think the kitten is just so terrified at this point after being chased a little bit, that it wants nothing to do with anyone. 

I think after a day or two of not seeing my boyfriend and I, and only interaction with people is being fed, she will warm up again to people.

I had her in my hands before we even tried the whole cornering thing (she and the other kitten were curled up and sleeping on the ground), and she was calm at first, but then freaked out and the carrier was too far away. It was bad planning on my part. 

Thank you for all the tips Linda in Taiwan, I unfortunately can't keep the kitties, but it's good to know anyways. 

Hey what city do you live in? We just caught a black kitten around the same age in plano texas. I know its a long shot but worth the try

Los Angeles unfortunately

If you have the cooperation of the manager and someone to keep an eye on the trap, I would just leave food inside the set trap until you catch her. Do not let anyone else leave food out and feed only in the trap.

She will go in sooner or later. Bless you all for helping her,

That's the current plan. We told the son to make sure they only feed in the trap, and sooner or later she will go in there. 

They understand the importance of catching her and only feeding in the trap, since she is getting too cozy with the cars now.

We also are dropping off a ton of smelly fish food as well later on today. 

They are going to be checking the trap quite frequently, and also can look on the security cameras to watch where the kitty is. 

Good plan, then. Kudos to you all. Vibes she goes in quickly!

Bummer

Yeah don't feel so bad, you're doing a good thing for these cats...especially the kittens. It's going to be hard enough for them to survive in the wild being so young. Its much better for them to be seperated and given out to loving homes who can care for them and keep them safe. I know how you feel though. I caught the kitten in our area last night and it freaked out when I pulled the gate shut. It was jumping all over the place and even got a small cut in its mouth from going all over the place. It looked so scared and stayed in one spot all night and didnt eat or go to the bathroom. I keep asking myself did I do the right thing, I feel horrible and feel like I took its freedom away. But the more I think about he was already hiding and terrified in the wild. So I think its better for it to be scared a little while longer, and soon be in a loving home, rather than live a short and dangerous life outside.

If you have time and patience, go back to the spot where it was being fed around the same time. It will remember that food will be there around that time and come back. We had never seen the kitten we rescued before, but as soon as we did we rushed some food out to him and he came back back to the same spot at the same time for the last 3 nights. So I think you still have agood chance.

Definitely keep us posted!