- Joined
- Jul 26, 2021
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Hi,
I recently took in a mom who has been living in my apartment complex for several years and having litters, along with her 2 babies. I am really in need of support from experts and found this website through stray pet advocacy's website about socializing a feral. I have fostered in the past but it was younger kittens who had already spent a little time in cages/around humans. These kittens and their mom have never been indoors and are terrified! I put them in the basement, which is where I fostered my last litter, and I knew they would hide but I'm worried I'll never be able to get close to them. Based on what I've read, a smaller room would be much better but this is all I have available at the moment. I observed the mom and her cats for several days before taking them in - at first, the mom would let her babies eat first and take whatever was left, but seemingly overnight she started hissing, growling and batting at them and wanting the food for herself. My neighbor has been caring for her for years and stated when she is done with her babies she's done. The mom is very sweet and isn't fully feral thanks to my neighbor - she would let me pet her outside and come running for food. She even let me put frontline on her a few days before I took her in. Now, though, she is just peeing on the couch and hiding. She's been here about 48 hours for reference. I'm not sure if she can safely stay around her babies and would love advice - I'm working with a trap neuter release program and we are thinking she will go back to outside living after her spay, but I feel like she might be a great cat if she just doesn't have to be around her babies.
As for the babies, based on what I watched on The Kitten Lady youtube page I'm worried I'm doing things all wrong! I'm not entirely sure of their ages and am worried they're near that 12 week mark (I would guess they're about 10 weeks but I'm really not sure). Obviously they need to see a vet but I'm not sure how to even capture them to do that. One has been here 48 hours like mom and the other has been here a little less than 24. The Kitten Lady suggested using a playpen to know where the kittens are at first and ensure you can get close to them for feedings, but I'm not sure that's such a good option for older kittens. They definitely spent time playing last night while I was away. After being down a few hours last night, the one who has been here longer did come out to eat and use the litterbox, and spent time playing with a ball while half hiding under the couch. The other kitten also came out to explore the corner of the room with her. I take these as good signs but I'm not sure how to do the aspect of socializing where I get them to eat in front of me - right now I'm nervous to not have food available at all times since mom seems to think she has to compete with them for food. Anyhow, advice on the kittens and mom is very much needed - do I separate them and try to rehabilitate mom, keep them together and see if she gets used to them, or release her back to her neighborhood? Do I move the babies to a tiny room (it would be difficult but possible once they're medically cleared) or use a playpen? How do I socialize them with food if they won't come out to eat while I'm present?
Thank you!
I recently took in a mom who has been living in my apartment complex for several years and having litters, along with her 2 babies. I am really in need of support from experts and found this website through stray pet advocacy's website about socializing a feral. I have fostered in the past but it was younger kittens who had already spent a little time in cages/around humans. These kittens and their mom have never been indoors and are terrified! I put them in the basement, which is where I fostered my last litter, and I knew they would hide but I'm worried I'll never be able to get close to them. Based on what I've read, a smaller room would be much better but this is all I have available at the moment. I observed the mom and her cats for several days before taking them in - at first, the mom would let her babies eat first and take whatever was left, but seemingly overnight she started hissing, growling and batting at them and wanting the food for herself. My neighbor has been caring for her for years and stated when she is done with her babies she's done. The mom is very sweet and isn't fully feral thanks to my neighbor - she would let me pet her outside and come running for food. She even let me put frontline on her a few days before I took her in. Now, though, she is just peeing on the couch and hiding. She's been here about 48 hours for reference. I'm not sure if she can safely stay around her babies and would love advice - I'm working with a trap neuter release program and we are thinking she will go back to outside living after her spay, but I feel like she might be a great cat if she just doesn't have to be around her babies.
As for the babies, based on what I watched on The Kitten Lady youtube page I'm worried I'm doing things all wrong! I'm not entirely sure of their ages and am worried they're near that 12 week mark (I would guess they're about 10 weeks but I'm really not sure). Obviously they need to see a vet but I'm not sure how to even capture them to do that. One has been here 48 hours like mom and the other has been here a little less than 24. The Kitten Lady suggested using a playpen to know where the kittens are at first and ensure you can get close to them for feedings, but I'm not sure that's such a good option for older kittens. They definitely spent time playing last night while I was away. After being down a few hours last night, the one who has been here longer did come out to eat and use the litterbox, and spent time playing with a ball while half hiding under the couch. The other kitten also came out to explore the corner of the room with her. I take these as good signs but I'm not sure how to do the aspect of socializing where I get them to eat in front of me - right now I'm nervous to not have food available at all times since mom seems to think she has to compete with them for food. Anyhow, advice on the kittens and mom is very much needed - do I separate them and try to rehabilitate mom, keep them together and see if she gets used to them, or release her back to her neighborhood? Do I move the babies to a tiny room (it would be difficult but possible once they're medically cleared) or use a playpen? How do I socialize them with food if they won't come out to eat while I'm present?
Thank you!