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Outdoor Cat problems (kittens)2007-11-25 12:24:59

So, we've been feeding three kittens that live in our yard for about a week or two now. We set out plastic bowls with warm milk and friskies and they come and eat, being cautious of us. Now, we have other cats in our neighborhood, including a few that are feral, like the kittens. There is a grey adult female that we thought was the kitten's mother who also comes and eats sometimes, but just this morning when the grey cat was eating, one of the kittens tried to eat from the bowl and she swatted him good in the head and he ran off. Since we saw this, we yelled out the door at her to get her to leave so the kittens could get a chance to eat (the adult had already eaten most of what was in the bowl). Now, we've thought to catch the kittens and domesticate them because they're still little, but we're not sure if it's a good idea. My two questions are 1. What should we do about the adult cat right now to make sure the kittens are fed and 2. Should we catch the kittens and domesticate them?

Answers:

You should only capture the kittens if you are willing to take responsibility for all 3 of them, including vet visits for shots, spaying, neutering, etc.. Do nothing about the adult cat she still may be the mother, regardless she was hungry put out more food.

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Stand over the kittens as they eat to make sure they get what they need. Catch the kittens and after a trip to the vet for shots and fixing, domesticate them. They are young enough to be a pleasure to you.

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I don't know what area y0u live in but it is almost winter with lots of snow in NY so I would call the SPCA so the kittens can be put in a nice warm shelter so they can get shots, food and a warm place to sleep ..and hopefully adopted out.

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In a short time, any of the 3 kittens that are female will likely get pregnant and it starts a major mess! Catch the kittens and any other strays and take them to the nearest animal shelter. Explain the problem to them. If you keep these 3, you will spend alot of time and money on them and other kittens from outdoors will still show up. You need to help break the cycle of kittens being produced by the ferel cats . Don't wait too long to decide on this.

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IF YOU WANT A CAT FOR A PET .

THEY ARE GREAT PETS .

MUST GET THEM FIXED AT THE VETS .

THIS IS EXPENSIVE.

I HAVE THREE CATS .

THEY ARE THE BEST

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It's great that you have decided to take in the kittens, but no more milk, OK?

Now about the other ferals in the neighborhood; if you don't address that issue then you will have more kittens on your doorstep soon.

Check out Alley Cat Allies and Best Friends for TNR caretakers and groups near you to manage the problem now. Putting it off just makes it harder.

http://www.alleycat.org/

http://www.bestfriends.org/