Two gray kitten adoption?

mjscats

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First of all, I am new to this site, so I apologize for any mistakes I make. Around October, three little gray kittens wandered over my neighbor's fence to visit my cat, who only experiences fresh air from a screened in porch. I started to feed the kittens, and I gradually tamed two out of three. The third one remains skittish and refuses affection, although I still feed and shelter it (I don't mind caring for feral cats). These suddenly tamed kittens snatched my neighbors attention, and for the first time in three months they actually acknowledged them. They let the kittens in the house (except for the skittish one), as I had been doing previously. They have now become especially attached to my little boy, and wish to adopt him. I have a couple issues, which I will list below, and I would like you guys to help me figure this out without my personal opinions getting in the away.

1. My neighbors are VERY heavy smokers, and cigarette smoke is constantly pouring out of their garage. I am worried about the kitten's health.

2. They already have a cat that has shown extreme aggression to my cat on the rare occurrences they meet, and I am worried about the kittens safety, although I have never seen them interact personally.

3. Their cat has started to steal any food that I set out for the kittens, and I can't tell if he just likes the food, or is really hungry.

4. My neighbors have children, and they only seem to care about posting pictures of them from what I have seen, although I also live in a household with children.

In all honesty, I was upset when I heard about their plans, and I really love my fur babies. I will keep the other two for certain, but I hate breaking them apart. I have been dodging my neighbors for a while. I don't want jealousy to cloud my judgement, which is why I started this thread. Thank you so much for any help.
 

hexiesfriend

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I say they are your cats. You fed them first and took care of them first. It would probably be easier to let him go if he's going to a great home but...I'd be "kind of" honest to the neighbor and decline, and tell them that upon reflection you can't let any of them go and want to keep them together. Because they are your neighbors and you have to live with them you can't really tell them the whole truth.
 
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shadowsrescue

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If your gut says "No" then don't do it.  I would start by trying to keep the kittens inside.  Get them into a safe room and start to keep them as inside only kitties.

It is now time that they need to get to the vet too.  Spay/neuter and vaccines are a must.  If you wait too long, they will start to reproduce.  

Keep them inside.  The shy one will come around.  He may never be a lap kitty, but he will learn from the others.  

Clean out a room for them that is completely cat proofed.  Make sure if there is a bed it is flat on the floor or picked up as under the bed is the first place they will run.  Also block behind and under all other furniture.  

Some people have luck socializing them in large dog crates.  

Thank you for caring for them.
 
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