New Kitty Mum! "Pit-Ring" rescues!

Hello! This is my first post here! I unexpectedly took in a pregnant kitty while rescuing 22 cats from a pit bull fighting ring (im a pit bull fan so please only comment on their stupid owners!). they were using kittens as fight-bait. I took one of 7 pregnant queens and iv never had a momma cat before! I was happy to welcome her to our home as we lost our previous kitty to IBD and GI lymphoma in January. I was a vet tech for 6 years, but iv since moved to a new career and am so rusty on mom/baby care! I have no idea how far along she is! (I named her Nermal) Nermal seems like a kitten herself, if she wasn't pregnant we would peg her as being about 4 months. Im concerned about her size and the delivery. Im also concerned because she hasnt been Felv/FIV tested, no vaccines, no deworming, and until now no proper nutrition. So far her symptoms are extremely swollen mammary glands, her belly "dropped" about 3 days ago, she stopped eating last night but we coaxed her to eat a half can of wet food this morning, she has been pinked up and hairless nipples since we took her in a week ago, she is very affectionate for a feral/neglected cat but last night had a hard time getting comfy in my lap and preferred to be stretched on the floor. She seems to be nesting but its hard to tell because any cat would be poking around hiding places after being rescued. I cant feel or see any kittens and she isnt dripping any milk. I need to get out and grab KMR and syringes and a kitchen scale on my way home from work. I wonder how soon she will have them!? Any advice is greatly appreciated and im happy to have this forum to stalk for information! 

P.S. this picture is a week ago, she has since gotten a bigger belly. Dosnt she look like such a tiny kitten?!

I feel sick. They were using kittens as "fightbait"?

   Unfortunately yes. A friend of mine moved into a new house and the cats started coming over to her porch. she asked the neighbor if they were his and he laughed and came to get them. A week later that neighbor had a party and they saw exactly what they use those cats for. animal control has been involved but cant do much at this point (they need proof and such) so now we are going in and taking the cats with the help of a local spay and Neuter clinic. this baby girl came right to my husband so she was the first to be rescued. There are still a ton more to catch but they have to do it during the day when the dog fighting owners are not home. makes me SOOOOOO ANGRY!!!!! Our justice system here is strictly for humans, pet don't matter i guess. 

A cat can have kittens at 4 months of age so, yes, she could be small & be pregnant.

What have you seen as proof that wouldn't count as proof to the police? It sounds like there is evidence.

I haven't seen anything, not even the dogs. I'm going by what my friend is saying is going on. I guess on weekends the guy has friends over and they bring their dogs and fight them out back. A few other neighbors have called about it too but animal control never actually does anything. Luckily we have help to get the cat out: )

Can you ask the police what you need? Are there not animal welfare laws?

Can anything be heard from the property? It might be possible to record a fight.

Poor kitties, and poor Nermal, she's so tiny.

Bullys are lovely dogs. I wish it was the owners fighting with the dogs cheering them on.

It would seem to me that the police could pay a "courtesy" call to this home to ask about pit bulls, cats, and fighting, in order to put the owners on notice that they are now on their radar.

It's possible though, that the dogs and cats can be transported elsewhere to fight.

It would seem that an investigation by animal services would be in order.

About your pregnant queen: she appears extremely young. It also sounds like she may be close to labor.

It's great that you are getting supplies so that you have what you need on hand.

Just keep an eye on her and we'll be here to help as much as possible!

sarthur2 said:

It would seem to me that the police could pay a "courtesy" call to this home to ask about pit bulls, cats, and fighting, in order to put the owners on notice that they are now on their radar.

It's possible though, that the dogs and cats can be transported elsewhere to fight.

It would seem that an investigation by animal services would be in order.

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Agreed. I would continue to call the police and animal welfare groups. It's wonderful that you were able to save these cats, but they will get more. This person needs to be stopped.

I totally agree with all of you! Animal control officers show up to the house each time, but around here as long as your pet has shelter, water, and a food source with no life threatening medical issues then they are deemed fit owners. My friend recorded the fight but it's only audio because of a privacy fence. The whole situation sucks! An older elderly neighbor got into an altercation with the guy a few weeks ago because she saw him hitting his dog and she couldn't stand it anymore. As far as i know the whole street is working together to get it under control. My friend has started feeding the cats in her porch to keep them away from his yard until she can catch them all.

This is the sickest situation I've ever heard of. I hope you and the neighbors can provide enough proof to put these people away.

There's lots of information about pregnant queens in the Articles section, and of course, many members here who will be happy to answer any questions you have. Many thanks for taking in this one kitty.

Where do you live? Maybe I'm not allowed to ask that. Can't you or someone you know just pretend to be interested in the fights, just to get info on them? Too horrible. I hope you can save all the cats, and eventually even the pit bulls, somehow.

Im in southern Maryland. I dont think these people will be that friendly to outsiders interested in their games. Its not the best area and everyone knows everyone. Im glad I dont live there. I live in a different county so its hard for me to make it over there to help much. Im doing my best finding potential homes for the cats and getting as many as I can vetted. 

I think fostering, vetting, and rehoming are wonderful contributions to the situation! Thank you for all that you are doing! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

How is the pregnant kitty this morning?

She is good, appetite is down but extremely playful today. She was eating a ton of food at night but the past 2 days she hardly eats.

They sometimes eat less food but more often as their tummies get squished by the kittens. And towards the end they may eat less. She looks good! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Good to know! I didn't think about the kittens pushing on her Belly. Right now she gets free fed a cheap gross kitten food mixed with a holistic brand kitten food to slowly wean her over. Plus Iv been trying to get her to eat canned food in the mornings and nights, I feed my other cat Evo 95% Rabbit but Nermal is not so fond of the wet food. She is drinking a ton. I wish I could bring her in so she can make air biscuits on the couch with me... but for now she is enjoying our sun room away from our other cat. 

I have a foster set up for 2 pregnant mommas, but we are having a heck of a time catching them! The kittens are easy as long as we can find them but the adults are too smart for the live traps! They asked the guy if they could catch the cats in his yard and he said absolutely not. So unfortunately they have to coax them out of his yard and hope they don't run back over. she has started feeding them and providing shelter for them at her house so that they don't go back over. As far as the Dog Fights, apparently they moved a few dogs either to another location or realized they were terrible human beings and re-homed them (I'm guessing that's not the case).

I'm glad to hear so many people are working to save these cats.  Thank you for helping. 

If you haven't read any of the articles yet, these may be good refreshers for your previous knowledge

 [article="29720"]Pregnancy And Delivery In Cats​[/article]  

 [article="31414"]Help My Cat Is Having Kittens​[/article]  

Handsome Kitty said:

 
I'm glad to hear so many people are working to save these cats.  Thank you for helping. 

If you haven't read any of the articles yet, these may be good refreshers for your previous knowledge

 [article="29720"]Pregnancy And Delivery In Cats​[/article]  

 [article="31414"]Help My Cat Is Having Kittens​[/article]  

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These links are VERY helpful, thank you!