The vet I work with for TNR requires kittens to weigh at least 3lbs.

The vet I work with requires kittens to weigh at least 3lbs for TNR. They tell me this can happen between 12 and 16 weeks.

I hope I'm able to articulate this in writing so that it makes sense. There are at least three 8 week old kittens in my colony. I'm surprised by this because I inadvertently took their momma away to be spayed when they were newborns. I knew momma was pregnant and I knew she had given birth, but she was hanging around here right afterwards without the kittens and for up to 6 hours at a time without leaving. She was only about 6 months old herself, so I assumed her kittens didn't survive. I would learn about 3 weeks later that they did! There were six of them! The only explanation I have for how they survived is that their grandma had a litter of six 4 weeks prior to them being born. I'm guessing that she nursed them and kept them warm while their momma was away for 2 days.

However, I believe this affected the kittens' growth. Only one of the kittens seem to be a regular size 8 week old kitten. It has been coming around for a few weeks and eating solid food. I have spied two others but they aren't eating solid food yet and they are so much smaller than their litter mate. Their size is on par with a 5 week old kitten instead. So now I won't be able to use the 12 to 16 week guide for TNR. I'm not sure at what age I should trap them. If I trap and take them, but they are not 3lbs then I will have to turn them loose and try to trap them again.

Does anyone have any suggestions for my situation?

Is there a way you can trap them now, socialize them and find homes for them?  I know its a big job but that seems to be the best approach for this particular litter.

If not, is there anyone else who might be able to help with this?  Not sure what your rescue/shelter situation is but it might be worth asking the vet you are working with. He or she may either make an exception or be able to connect you with someone who could help.

If you trap them and have to release them before they are fixed, the chances are, you won't trap them again and you're right back where you started.

Thank you so much for going the extra mile for these cats.  It sounds like you're doing a great job.

Thank you for responding.

I really wish I was in the position to do that, but I took in the six that the grandma cat had in April. I socialized, vetted, and found homes for three of them and kept the other three. I also have a 2 year old cat and a 10.5 year old dog.

I reached out to the TNR group about getting the outside kittens fostered, but I've been told numerous times all the fosters are full. I don't have personal experience with our shelters and their practices, but I've been told by people in the TNR group that if I take them there they'd be PTS.

I'm going to keep checking with the fosters, and hopefully there'll be some openings soon. I'm just trying to plan and prepare in case there isn't.

Thank you for the recognition. It's been challenging, but worth it. TNR is saving lives.

When I lived in NJ, it was almost always a death sentence for feral cats sent to the shelter, including kittens.  They simply didn't get feral cats.

It is a lot better here - there are groups dedicated to TNR and to making sure feral cats get a break.  I know there are groups in Florida dedicated to that purpose, too.  Here's some stuff I found on Google:

http://www.accord3.com/docs/TNR Law Kortis.pdf

http://www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices/strays-feral-cats.htm

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130504/NEWS/305049996

Even the Wildlife Department is trying:

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/mammals/feral-cats/

Visit www.alleycat.com or www.neighborhoodcats.org

They may have some other local info or contacts.