Wild kittens! ??(pictures)

What do I do about these kittens? I didn't even know they were here. The mother started coming around about 6 months ago, but was always terrified of me and wouldn't come near me. I was putting food out for her though.
Well, long story short I realized she was pregnant around the time that Holstein showed up. Well, that gray cat disappeared so I assumed she was off some place else having her kittens. Once I brought Holstein indoors I stopped putting cat food outside. Would you believe I see the grey mama cat outside this morning trying to chase lizards? She was soooo skinny. So I ran outside real quick, of course she bolted, and I put down a plate of cat food and a bowl of water. I come inside and stare out the window. Of course she comes from under the house and starts eating. Then.....I see a kitten come out. I about died. Got the camera of course. Then another kitten....and another.....and another! These poor kittens are so skinny. They all start scarfing the food down and drinking water. Of course they eat a plate full in just a minute. So I go to take them more food and they take off terrified of me.
They are so scared!
What do I do about them? I can't imagine them all out under my home. They're going to grow up and just breed more kittens. Before you know there will be more wild kittens everywhere.
My animal shelter is now a no-kill so I believe that means they will not come and get them. I can't get a hold of them so I can't get them homes.
What do I do?

What you need to do is TNR them (trap, neuter, return)....if the kittens are tame, you can work to socialize them....but I would treat them all as if they are feral. You can borrow traps from your local humane society or TNR group. Below is a list of TNR groups in Florida:

http://www.alleycat.org/orgs.html#fl

Another useful group to join is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/feral_cats/

Lots of people on that board that work with feral/stray cats/kittens.

If you would like to learn more about TNR, you can go here:

http://www.alleycat.org/index.html

Also...remember to borrow enough traps to trap the entire family...mom deserves to be spayed.

Thank you for caring about this mom and her kittens.

Katie

SInce they obviousely trust that you have food I would set up a few traps and place the food in it...

Well, my cat Holstein was a stray too and was terrified of us, feral I guess. However I worked her into coming to me and now she's calm and indoors. I was even petting her 2 day old kittens this morning and she went back to sleep during it. That has been a major success story. lol

However, this cat and her kittens are a whole different ball game. That mom has been around for the majority of 6 months and is just as scared of me today as she was the day she showed up. Her kittens are just like her unfortunately so they are very feral. I'm going to have to trap them. That's my only choice. I don't want them to die. I have a feeling I can help the kittens become more tame, but I can't bring them indoors.....I already have 6 newborn kittens and Holstein in the home. So I don't know how tame I can make them outdoors.
I'm just going to contact those websites that you gave me and see if they can help. I've got my hands full here.
Not to mention I'm not even suppose to have pets here in this home.
Thanks for those sites. I'm going to check them out now.

Originally Posted by gottalotagals

Well, my cat Holstein was a stray too and was terrified of us, feral I guess. However I worked her into coming to me and now she's calm and indoors. I was even petting her 2 day old kittens this morning and she went back to sleep during it. That has been a major success story. lol

However, this cat and her kittens are a whole different ball game. That mom has been around for the majority of 6 months and is just as scared of me today as she was the day she showed up. Her kittens are just like her unfortunately so they are very feral. I'm going to have to trap them. That's my only choice. I don't want them to die. I have a feeling I can help the kittens become more tame, but I can't bring them indoors.....I already have 6 newborn kittens and Holstein in the home. So I don't know how tame I can make them outdoors.
I'm just going to contact those websites that you gave me and see if they can help. I've got my hands full here.

Not to mention I'm not even suppose to have pets here in this home.

Thanks for those sites. I'm going to check them out now.

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You are welcome....if the kittens and mom are all feral...then best thing to do is trap them, get them spayed/neutered and return them back outdoors. Some cats just are better off outside because they are wild...and just because they can't live inside, doesn't mean they should be brought to a shelter or put to sleep. Once they are all fixed, they will not be able to reproduce and as long as they have shelter and food, they should be a lovely outdoors family for you.

Katie

Thanks for the info. I've left a message with the low cost spay so I should hear back from them soon. I'm going to contact animal control and see if they can loan me a few cages to catch them in. I think as young as these kittens are they may be cared for enough and become domesticated. They sure are cuties.

I do have some bad news though, Dh said he saw the mama just now and she looks pregnant again. Is that possible that she would be pg that fast and be showing?
I'm guessing these kittens are around 10 weeks old.
I sure hope she isn't.

I have heard on here they can get preg. up to a week after they have them!!!!!!!! But even if she didn't then if they weaned around 6 weeks and she got preg. then she would be about 4 weeks so showing..........

Originally Posted by gottalotagals

Thanks for the info. I've left a message with the low cost spay so I should hear back from them soon. I'm going to contact animal control and see if they can loan me a few cages to catch them in. I think as young as these kittens are they may be cared for enough and become domesticated. They sure are cuties.

I do have some bad news though, Dh said he saw the mama just now and she looks pregnant again. Is that possible that she would be pg that fast and be showing?
I'm guessing these kittens are around 10 weeks old.
I sure hope she isn't.

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Yes...most likely she is pregnant again...but many vets that practice TNR will spay a pregnant cat that is being returned outdoors. At our feral cat clinic, all pregnant cats are spayed.

Katie

I'm so excited! A lady called me from the low cost spay/neuter org and said that based on our income and being that we have a family of six we will be able to get our Holstein and kittens fixed. ALSO she said she was making the phone calls to have the outdoor babies and mom picked up and fixed as well.
I couldn't be more happy. She said for $25 the kittens and Holstein will have a check-up and get their full set of shots as well. I'm thrilled.

Originally Posted by gottalotagals

I'm so excited! A lady called me from the low cost spay/neuter org and said that based on our income and being that we have a family of six we will be able to get our Holstein and kittens fixed. ALSO she said she was making the phone calls to have the outdoor babies and mom picked up and fixed as well.
I couldn't be more happy. She said for $25 the kittens and Holstein will have a check-up and get their full set of shots as well. I'm thrilled.

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That is FANTASTIC news!!!

Keep us posted.

Katie