Hello, long time lurker, first time poster (hence just making the Screen name).
I've been thinking about getting a furry friend for awhile, as I see them everyday wandering about my apartment complex. As far as I know, these cats have "owners", but are outdoor cats. Anyhow, my car has been letting grass grow under it for about a week now, with a transmission fluid leak. The driver's side window is also permanently down.
Today I went to take the care to Autozone, but noticed a kitty riding shotgun (cats have been known to visit every once and awhile). After shoo-ing the kitty out of the car, I noticed 5 little, squeaking furballs lying where Momma cat just was. Unfortunately one didn't survive the previous night.
I then looked up and down the complex for the new mommy, but couldn't find her. Being in Phoenix, and knowing it was well over 90F at 11am, I scooped em up, and put them in a box with a towel on the bottom in the hope that they don't get baked out in the car. I then went on a quest to Wal-Mart, where I got four newborn bottles, and an 8oz tub of 'Hartz' Milk replacement for kittens (Powdered),as that's all they had.
After getting back, I boiled the bottles, and prepared the formula as the instructions described, and attempted to feed the little guys. After holding them for awhile, and stroking their backs for awhile, three of the four took to drinking about 10ml each. The fourth was in a continual "I got to get away!", and not wanting to cause harm by stressing him, I left him for awhile. Three hours after, I tried again, and got everyone to drink about another 10 ml (Which seems like nothing).
Between feedings, I called the AZ Humane society, and other No-Kill Shelters. According to them, Cats are "Free-roaming" animals in Maricopa county, and therefore they won't come and collect them. They recommended that I put them in a box with a blanket, and set it by a tree for momma to find. This wasn't an option in my eyes, as the area is plagued by toddlers and little kids. I can see them going "OOooh Kitty!" *shake* *shake*. I then decided i'd do whatever is necessary to keep the little guys alive and happy.
Do you guys recommend I try keeping them on my porch (like a first story balcony), just in case she comes looking for them, or go gung-ho and take full parental duties? I've done quite a bit of reading up, but any tips would be helpful for someone who hasn't raised kittens by hand.
I imagine they are no more than a day or two old. Here is a picture.
I've been thinking about getting a furry friend for awhile, as I see them everyday wandering about my apartment complex. As far as I know, these cats have "owners", but are outdoor cats. Anyhow, my car has been letting grass grow under it for about a week now, with a transmission fluid leak. The driver's side window is also permanently down.
Today I went to take the care to Autozone, but noticed a kitty riding shotgun (cats have been known to visit every once and awhile). After shoo-ing the kitty out of the car, I noticed 5 little, squeaking furballs lying where Momma cat just was. Unfortunately one didn't survive the previous night.
I then looked up and down the complex for the new mommy, but couldn't find her. Being in Phoenix, and knowing it was well over 90F at 11am, I scooped em up, and put them in a box with a towel on the bottom in the hope that they don't get baked out in the car. I then went on a quest to Wal-Mart, where I got four newborn bottles, and an 8oz tub of 'Hartz' Milk replacement for kittens (Powdered),as that's all they had.
After getting back, I boiled the bottles, and prepared the formula as the instructions described, and attempted to feed the little guys. After holding them for awhile, and stroking their backs for awhile, three of the four took to drinking about 10ml each. The fourth was in a continual "I got to get away!", and not wanting to cause harm by stressing him, I left him for awhile. Three hours after, I tried again, and got everyone to drink about another 10 ml (Which seems like nothing).
Between feedings, I called the AZ Humane society, and other No-Kill Shelters. According to them, Cats are "Free-roaming" animals in Maricopa county, and therefore they won't come and collect them. They recommended that I put them in a box with a blanket, and set it by a tree for momma to find. This wasn't an option in my eyes, as the area is plagued by toddlers and little kids. I can see them going "OOooh Kitty!" *shake* *shake*. I then decided i'd do whatever is necessary to keep the little guys alive and happy.
Do you guys recommend I try keeping them on my porch (like a first story balcony), just in case she comes looking for them, or go gung-ho and take full parental duties? I've done quite a bit of reading up, but any tips would be helpful for someone who hasn't raised kittens by hand.
I imagine they are no more than a day or two old. Here is a picture.