Hi to everyone,
I'm new to this Forum and I am in the need of those with more experience than I have.
Here's the problem in as brief a writing as I can make it and yet cover all my questions.
Back in middle March a very young pregnant Kitty Cat showed up on our property. It was obvious she needed food and water. So we began helping her out. At that point we had no idea she was pregnant.
She is not a feral cat. I'm guessing that someone just dropped her off. But she was so afraid of us there was no chance to catcher her at that point in time.
Over a period of time feeding her daily, she began to trust me. She's now trustful enough to let me touch her during her feeding. Problem is, before she got comfortable with me she had here babies outdoors. So no chance to rescue her and her babies into our home.
I know exactly where her burrow is and have even been able to see one of her kittens from a distance.
She is now almost four weeks since she had her babies (Apr 7) And I don't know what to do next. At this point I could rescue her to the safety of our home, but I don't have a clue to understand if I have any chance of rescuing her offspring and taking them too her. And I would be devastated not to be able to rescue them .
The burrow is in a brush pile of small to medium limbs. And so far it has survived some serious rains successfully and "Little Yellow" has not moved them.
Little Yellow has reliably shown up every morning and evening, sometimes more than once for food and water.
But I know from reading about babies and when they get restless and also start thinking about exploring their burrow, and thinking about water and cat food, non of which is available in their burrow, only at our front doorstep. And that is a long distance from their burrow. Around 150 feet.
Is there any chance that they can survive until they are able to follow their mother to our feeding point?
We are cat lovers and have 7 indoor cats now. But we have never had the chance to nurse baby cats even tho we have had many cat's over the years. All the cats we have had were stray's that adopted us.
Any advice anyone can give to help me, and my wife, to save "Little Yellow" and her babies would be greatly appreciated!
George
PS:
I've added this note that I wrote this morning in my ongoing log for "Little Yellow".
4/29/18
Little Yellow is still getting along fine. Showing up for food and water more often at this point in time.
After reading "Kitten milestones at a glance" I've become concerned about how they become adventuresome, meaning moving around and investigating their environment.
I plan to have another chat with God about how to proceed. The milestones mentioned cover kittens that are in a home, not on their own outside. So that may force some changes in my thinking.
I was thinking that when it was time, the babies would follow Mother to her feeding location. But the milestones mentioned indicated I have decisions to make soon!!
I'm new to this Forum and I am in the need of those with more experience than I have.
Here's the problem in as brief a writing as I can make it and yet cover all my questions.
Back in middle March a very young pregnant Kitty Cat showed up on our property. It was obvious she needed food and water. So we began helping her out. At that point we had no idea she was pregnant.
She is not a feral cat. I'm guessing that someone just dropped her off. But she was so afraid of us there was no chance to catcher her at that point in time.
Over a period of time feeding her daily, she began to trust me. She's now trustful enough to let me touch her during her feeding. Problem is, before she got comfortable with me she had here babies outdoors. So no chance to rescue her and her babies into our home.
I know exactly where her burrow is and have even been able to see one of her kittens from a distance.
She is now almost four weeks since she had her babies (Apr 7) And I don't know what to do next. At this point I could rescue her to the safety of our home, but I don't have a clue to understand if I have any chance of rescuing her offspring and taking them too her. And I would be devastated not to be able to rescue them .
The burrow is in a brush pile of small to medium limbs. And so far it has survived some serious rains successfully and "Little Yellow" has not moved them.
Little Yellow has reliably shown up every morning and evening, sometimes more than once for food and water.
But I know from reading about babies and when they get restless and also start thinking about exploring their burrow, and thinking about water and cat food, non of which is available in their burrow, only at our front doorstep. And that is a long distance from their burrow. Around 150 feet.
Is there any chance that they can survive until they are able to follow their mother to our feeding point?
We are cat lovers and have 7 indoor cats now. But we have never had the chance to nurse baby cats even tho we have had many cat's over the years. All the cats we have had were stray's that adopted us.
Any advice anyone can give to help me, and my wife, to save "Little Yellow" and her babies would be greatly appreciated!
George
PS:
I've added this note that I wrote this morning in my ongoing log for "Little Yellow".
4/29/18
Little Yellow is still getting along fine. Showing up for food and water more often at this point in time.
After reading "Kitten milestones at a glance" I've become concerned about how they become adventuresome, meaning moving around and investigating their environment.
I plan to have another chat with God about how to proceed. The milestones mentioned cover kittens that are in a home, not on their own outside. So that may force some changes in my thinking.
I was thinking that when it was time, the babies would follow Mother to her feeding location. But the milestones mentioned indicated I have decisions to make soon!!