Help! Very friendly, very pregnant stray

Yesterday morning, I opened the door to my apartment to be met with a lovely little lady cat. She didn't seem afraid and was very friendly when I approached her. Not sure why she came to me.. Maybe because my apartment smells like cat from the outside?

Anyway.. I had to hurry to work, but I told my roommate to keep an eye out for her, as I didn't know if she would leave or come back. Turns out, the stray stayed the whole day--as my roommate saw her as soon as she woke up around 1pm. She is very heavily pregnant and a little thin. Her coat was actually very soft and shiny--so we are thinking she may have gotten out or was abandoned.

During our first attempt to get animal protection to or area, she was spooked by the garbage truck, but when she returned around 8pm, we were able to get someone out there. Animal protection told us he was too uncomfortable to take her away, as she was in an apartment complex, was very friendly and she seemed hydrated and nourished. We were told that in 24-48hrs, we should call back.. But not to leave food or drink outside, as it could cause her to not return to her home (if she has one).

I didn't (nor did my roommate) see her this morning before work, but when I returned just 15min ago, there she was. She came running from across the parking lot, dirty and a little worse off than yesterday. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't feed her or give her water, so I did.

What's my best plan of action here? I would take her in if I could, but we have 3 cats already in a small townhouse (well, 2 invisible cats...hehehe). I just don't want someone to get her and hurt her

Please continue to give her food and water each day. Since she is pregnant, she will be painfully hungry. I think we can assume that if she already had a steady food source that she would not have left it in her condition, so my guess is that she is likely a dumped cat. Can you take a picture of her with your cell phone? You can post it on social media on Facebook's local pet lost and found in your area. You can also print out some flyers with her picture and post them around your area to see if anyone is missing her. Is there a Humane Society or Animal Friends in your area? If you tell the HS she is a stray, they have to take her. It would be better for her to deliver her kittens in a shelter where they can be properly socialized and adopted out then for her to be on the streets. Do you know anyone at your job, school, church, neighborhood who would be willing to take her in? If she is spayed now, she will lose the kittens, but it will be easier to find a home for her. Why was Animal Control hesitant to take her? Is it because if she is not claimed by someone within a few days she will be euthanized? If that is the case, then I hope you can explore other options prior to making that decision. Thank you for taking care of her.

Bless you for being there for that little kitty! Owned or not, she is in a bad predicament and shouldn't be on the streets!! Is it possible for you to make her a makeshift shelter that is fairly safe from predators?? Even a cardboard box inside a larger box, lined with newspapers can work. 

      I know that your other cats would probably have melt-down if you take her in, and if you isolate her in the bathroom or another room, she will probably keep you up all night with vocal protest so your options are limited, unless you and your roommate can divy the cats up (one sleeps with the stray and the other sleeps with the resident cats).

     It is a mystery why she is stray at this time. It is likely that she was stray (maybe went "into season" and got out) before she got pregnant, or else was accidentally let outside (maybe a repairman or visitor left the owner's door ajar) and she got chased out of her "comfort zone"; or else she got evicted for being pregnant. Since she might deliver at any time, refuge is necessary.

    You could try calling cat rescue groups and even asking the local churches if someone in their congregation can foster her until her owners claim her or keep her until the kittens are old enough to be adopted out (some animal shelters put down moms & young kittens and accept only kittens 6 weeks or above. There are no easy ways to put down young kittens, even at the vet - I do feral rescue and I've tried, the best options are those used with livestock but most vets aren't allowed to do that to pets). Your veterinarian may have some ideas as to whom to call.

    I am sure that someone with better ideas will be showing up soon. But meanwhile, mega prayers and vibes are coming your way from out here in California

    Please keep us posted!!!!

   Take Care, Susan

MsAimee said:

Please continue to give her food and water each day. Since she is pregnant, she will be painfully hungry. I think we can assume that if she already had a steady food source that she would not have left it in her condition, so my guess is that she is likely a dumped cat. Can you take a picture of her with your cell phone? You can post it on social media on Facebook's local pet lost and found in your area. You can also print out some flyers with her picture and post them around your area to see if anyone is missing her. Is there a Humane Society or Animal Friends in your area? If you tell the HS she is a stray, they have to take her. It would be better for her to deliver her kittens in a shelter where they can be properly socialized and adopted out then for her to be on the streets. Do you know anyone at your job, school, church, neighborhood who would be willing to take her in? If she is spayed now, she will lose the kittens, but it will be easier to find a home for her. Why was Animal Control hesitant to take her? Is it because if she is not claimed by someone within a few days she will be euthanized? If that is the case, then I hope you can explore other options prior to making that decision. Thank you for taking care of her.

Click to expand...

He didn't mention anything about her being euthanized at the time, but said that because of the fact that she is wandering an apartment complex, he believes she has an owner. I tried to pick her up to bring her inside at one point, but she seemed uncomfortable so I stopped. She's still outside today, so I told my roommate to see if she can find her as soon as she wakes up and call animal protection again.

catsknowme said:

:nod: Bless you for being there for that little kitty! Owned or not, she is in a bad predicament and shouldn't be on the streets!! Is it possible for you to make her a makeshift shelter that is fairly safe from predators?? Even a cardboard box inside a larger box, lined with newspapers can work. 
      I know that your other cats would probably have melt-down if you take her in, and if you isolate her in the bathroom or another room, she will probably keep you up all night with vocal protest so your options are limited, unless you and your roommate can divy the cats up (one sleeps with the stray and the other sleeps with the resident cats).
     It is a mystery why she is stray at this time. It is likely that she was stray (maybe went "into season" and got out) before she got pregnant, or else was accidentally let outside (maybe a repairman or visitor left the owner's door ajar) and she got chased out of her "comfort zone"; or else she got evicted for being pregnant. Since she might deliver at any time, refuge is necessary.
    You could try calling cat rescue groups and even asking the local churches if someone in their congregation can foster her until her owners claim her or keep her until the kittens are old enough to be adopted out (some animal shelters put down moms & young kittens and accept only kittens 6 weeks or above. There are no easy ways to put down young kittens, even at the vet - I do feral rescue and I've tried, the best options are those used with livestock but most vets aren't allowed to do that to pets). Your veterinarian may have some ideas as to whom to call.
    I am sure that someone with better ideas will be showing up soon. But meanwhile, mega prayers and vibes are coming your way from out here in California
    Please keep us posted!!!!
   Take Care, Susan

Click to expand...

Thanks for your advice.. I'm afraid to make her a makeshift shelter out where she is normally hiding out as I have close neighbors with children. I'm afraid if there's a box (even obscured slightly by bushes) it will draw attention.

My vet and almost all local shelters referred me to animal protection, so I guess that's my only option (I'm in Richmond, VA). I tried to coax her inside so I could figure something out for the night, but as soon as she saw another cat, she began growling and hissing.

She was still outside when I left for work this morning, so I will definitely get in touch with animal protection (as it's been 48hrs since I found her on Wednesday morning) as soon as I get home.. Or sooner if my roommate sees her.

I just wish I could take her but it wouldn't be fair to her or my other cats

Here she is guys--I got her (featuring my weird feet). She's upstairs in my bathroom right now with some food and water. I managed to contact an old friend of mine whose mom and aunt foster and re-home cats in their retirement. I am so happy and upset at the same time.

I had a pregnant cat show up at my house with the other feral cats that I feed. When I first saw her, I thought she was also feral, but then I saw that she was wearing a flea collar. After about a week, and some food, she was very friendly with me. I still thought she belonged to somebody at that point. Then when she started getting bigger, and kept hanging around my house, I realized she would probably end up having the kittens in somebody's backyard under someone's shed, then I would have a new litter of feral kittens to be TNR'd. I e-mailed a rescue group here, and I am so thankful that they were able to take her in. She had five kittens a few weeks ago. I thought it was kind of ironic that I'm going to so much trouble and expense to have these feral cats fixed, and this little girl could have been easily spayed by whoever put the flea collar on her. I wonder if they are even wondering what has happened to her. Anyway, good job taking care of your pregnant kitty!!! I hope all works out and they all find loving homes.

kiwischan said:

Here she is guys--I got her .... She's upstairs in my bathroom right now with some food and water. I managed to contact an old friend of mine whose mom and aunt foster and re-home cats in their retirement. I am so happy and upset at the same time.

Click to expand...

How is it going?  If you can foster her yourself, or find someone else to foster its the best.  Possibly you can do it under the Animal Friends Society umbrella, being their fostering home and getting help with vets costs.

Because, most shelters, including Animal Protection, if they dont have enough with fostering homes lined up, its better not to know what they do with the admitted cats.

Very friendly, tame high pregs do have a chance.  Shy semiferales or small kittens whom they must handraise almost none.

As I understand it, you HAD found such fosterers. Which is swell and the best possible, esp as they already DO have some experience. 

I hope the transport over, etc, was successfull.

kiwischan said:

Here she is guys--I got her (featuring my weird feet). She's upstairs in my bathroom right now with some food and water. I managed to contact an old friend of mine whose mom and aunt foster and re-home cats in their retirement. I am so happy and upset at the same time.

Click to expand...

PJB755 said:

I had a pregnant cat show up at my house with the other feral cats that I feed. When I first saw her, I thought she was also feral, but then I saw that she was wearing a flea collar. After about a week, and some food, she was very friendly with me. I still thought she belonged to somebody at that point. Then when she started getting bigger, and kept hanging around my house, I realized she would probably end up having the kittens in somebody's backyard under someone's shed, then I would have a new litter of feral kittens to be TNR'd. I e-mailed a rescue group here, and I am so thankful that they were able to take her in. She had five kittens a few weeks ago. I thought it was kind of ironic that I'm going to so much trouble and expense to have these feral cats fixed, and this little girl could have been easily spayed by whoever put the flea collar on her. I wonder if they are even wondering what has happened to her. Anyway, good job taking care of your pregnant kitty!!! I hope all works out and they all find loving homes.

Click to expand...

 Blessings to you both for making a HUGE difference for the better, for both cats and communities!!

StefanZ said:

How is it going?  If you can foster her yourself, or find someone else to foster its the best.  Possibly you can do it under the Animal Friends Society umbrella, being their fostering home and getting help with vets costs.
Because, most shelters, including Animal Protection, if they dont have enough with fostering homes lined up, its better not to know what they do with the admitted cats.

Very friendly, tame high pregs do have a chance.  Shy semiferales or small kittens whom they must handraise almost none.


As I understand it, you HAD found such fosterers. Which is swell and the best possible, esp as they already DO have some experience. 
I hope the transport over, etc, was successfull.

Click to expand...

Yes! I found her a foster home and she will be re-homed with her kittens sometime next week. She is such a beautiful, social and relaxed cat (much more than mine are).. I have no doubt that she will find a home with someone who will love her.

I just sent my friend a message asking for an update, as it has been a couple days since she was picked up. Getting her into a carrier and transferring her over was no issue at all--I have one small scratch but that was the worst of it. I really wish I could have taken her myself, but with 3 cats (2 of which are not on my lease).. It would have been unfair for everyone.

Probably one of the hardest things I've had to do was see her alone out there and then give her to her foster home. She is in good hands with people I know and trust.

God bless you.  You've given this girl a real change for life, not only for herself, but for her unborn kittens.  Let us know how she goes on, if you are able to find out.

I love to read stories like this that have a happy ending

MsAimee said:

 
I love to read stories like this that have a happy ending

Click to expand...

I second this! lovely!