I don't know if this post belongs here, or if it belongs in 'Caring for Strays and Ferals.'
I live in an apartment, and our washer and dryer are in a storage room or closet out on our balcony. Long story short, I have a mama and four kittens living behind my washing machine. They've been living there since February 28th, and I know they were born on or before the 21st (I heard one mewling and found it in the closet sans mom). I have not used the washer or dryer since they've been there because I've been afraid to scare mom or overheat the kittens. Mom goes under the laundry door. We've lived in the same place for 2 years and never had this happen until now.
I've let them stay where they are because they are a pain to reach, and mom sometimes hisses at me when I lean over the laundry to take a peek. My boyfriend and I pulled the dryer out on March 4th to get a closer look while mom was away from the kittens. We've got two black and two gray/tabby. We've only handled the kittens the one time.
Mom has food and water checked and filled regularly. I've been feeding her wet food and some kitten chow. I'm getting to the point where I know I need to start preparing what will happen next. My boyfriend and I agree that we want to take them all to the vet. We want them all to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. We want to find or give them all homes, even mom if she'll warm to people.
I will take a closer look at the kittens to give more information. I know for sure that they are over two weeks old. Their ears have opened. They all are gaining weight and look much bigger than they did at first. They look to be trying to walk, but aren't good at it yet. I talk to mom soothingly whenever I open the door, and so far the kittens do not respond to my voice.
I don't want to wait until they're exploring and crawling under the closet door. We live on the second floor so I'm concerned about them falling. I'd put something under the door to keep them safe, but mom likes to come and go as she pleases. I've also noticed a gray cat interacting with mom, and I'm suspecting he may be the dad.
Question time:
1. How long should I leave them as is? I don't want to antagonize mom, but I don't want her to move them somewhere else. I live in Texas, and it's warmer here than other places. 50-70 F
2. How do I get/coax mom to get into a crate or something? I haven't been able to pet her yet. I put a box with towels near her, but she avoided the box so I removed it. Do I wait until the kittens are being weaned and separate them??
3. When I do corral the felines, do they go to the vet right away? I do need to start trying to find an affordable vet with a pay scale or someone affiliated with a charity.
Those are my main concerns for now. I'm sure they will only increase the more information I receive! This is coming during a stressful time for me. I was in a car accident on Friday, and I'm interviewing for jobs. I appreciate any or all advice or help.
I don't have any experience with kittens or feral cats. I don't have kids or any pets currently. I haven't owned a cat (or had a cat own me) as an adult, and I am definitely feeling the weight of responsibility for their well-being.
Thanks!
All of these pictures are from March 4th taken at different times of the day:
Dad?
I live in an apartment, and our washer and dryer are in a storage room or closet out on our balcony. Long story short, I have a mama and four kittens living behind my washing machine. They've been living there since February 28th, and I know they were born on or before the 21st (I heard one mewling and found it in the closet sans mom). I have not used the washer or dryer since they've been there because I've been afraid to scare mom or overheat the kittens. Mom goes under the laundry door. We've lived in the same place for 2 years and never had this happen until now.
I've let them stay where they are because they are a pain to reach, and mom sometimes hisses at me when I lean over the laundry to take a peek. My boyfriend and I pulled the dryer out on March 4th to get a closer look while mom was away from the kittens. We've got two black and two gray/tabby. We've only handled the kittens the one time.
Mom has food and water checked and filled regularly. I've been feeding her wet food and some kitten chow. I'm getting to the point where I know I need to start preparing what will happen next. My boyfriend and I agree that we want to take them all to the vet. We want them all to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. We want to find or give them all homes, even mom if she'll warm to people.
I will take a closer look at the kittens to give more information. I know for sure that they are over two weeks old. Their ears have opened. They all are gaining weight and look much bigger than they did at first. They look to be trying to walk, but aren't good at it yet. I talk to mom soothingly whenever I open the door, and so far the kittens do not respond to my voice.
I don't want to wait until they're exploring and crawling under the closet door. We live on the second floor so I'm concerned about them falling. I'd put something under the door to keep them safe, but mom likes to come and go as she pleases. I've also noticed a gray cat interacting with mom, and I'm suspecting he may be the dad.
Question time:
1. How long should I leave them as is? I don't want to antagonize mom, but I don't want her to move them somewhere else. I live in Texas, and it's warmer here than other places. 50-70 F
2. How do I get/coax mom to get into a crate or something? I haven't been able to pet her yet. I put a box with towels near her, but she avoided the box so I removed it. Do I wait until the kittens are being weaned and separate them??
3. When I do corral the felines, do they go to the vet right away? I do need to start trying to find an affordable vet with a pay scale or someone affiliated with a charity.
Those are my main concerns for now. I'm sure they will only increase the more information I receive! This is coming during a stressful time for me. I was in a car accident on Friday, and I'm interviewing for jobs. I appreciate any or all advice or help.
I don't have any experience with kittens or feral cats. I don't have kids or any pets currently. I haven't owned a cat (or had a cat own me) as an adult, and I am definitely feeling the weight of responsibility for their well-being.
Thanks!
All of these pictures are from March 4th taken at different times of the day:
Dad?