Hi all, I have been feeding the most beautiful black feral cat with bright yellow eyes since the winter. She was living under my outdoor furniture on my back deck. I ran a heating pad out under the furniture to help her stay warm during the winter. I live on a two acre plot with lots of woods. In the spring she stopped coming around and then she started coming by with another black car. A friend of mine who does rescue, suggested that we trap her and have her fixed. We were able to trap her and when we took her to the vet he said that she was already lactating and must have kittens somewhere. I quickly returned her to my property and released her. She came by everyday and would sit on my patio staring at the window until I came out to feed her but would never let me near her. She would often sleep on the deck like she was home. I never saw the kittens. After about a month, I thought I heard something on my front deck. There she was with 4 jet black kittens with beautiful blue eyes. The cutest things I've ever seen. They moved in under my front deck. Every morning she would let them come out and play, nurse them and then back under the deck they went. I was waiting until they were weaned to try and catch them to socialize them as I have friends who have agreed to give them homes. I noticed that when I fed her, the kittens started licking the plate when she was through.I assume they were starting to wean. This is all new to me. She has been a fixture on my deck, as have the kittens. It has been so beautiful to watch them romping and playing with mom's watchful eye on them at all times. The day before yesterday they were all gone and I have not seen them since. I have been walking through the woods and calling her. She never misses a meal. I am frantic and worried sick. Why would she leave a safe place and her food source. I just don't understand it. I am worried something nefarious has happened. Is this normal for them to move on like this. I want to protect her and the kittens from making more babies, and would love to be able to give them good homes. Do you think she'll be back? Any advice is appreciated... Thanks Susan