<< Their lives are usually
short, so why not make it a little better by giving them something to
eat?MLB >>

I agree.  Their lives are crappy enough without being hungry all the time.  The
other nice thing you can do is find a rescue group who will do TNR (trap,
neuter, return) and then you can feed them and they may lead decent lives.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human."  (Loren Eisely)

more than 8 kittens?  the cat only has 8 nipples, usually.  it thought
they wouldn't have more kittens than nipples.

-L

I agree with Lyn.  Contact a rescue organization in your area.  If they
don't do TNR (trap, neuter, release) themselves, they can usually refer you
to a group that does.  A feral colony can grow quite large quickly.  It is
VERY important that the cats be spayed and neutered, along with any
newcomers to the colony.

I second this: if after feeding them for a while, you can manage to borrow
or rent a Hav-a-Hart trap (shelters sometimes have one or two traps
available to lend out) & get them seen to by a vet.  Even if you trap,
neuter, & then release them again, it'll be better than their present
status.  The vet could also worm them, get rid of ear mites & fleas - common
stuff that strays & ferals tend to have.

Cathy

<< Frankly, the whole idea of
capturing them myself is extremely daunting.  >>

Trapping can be very daunting.  I hate doing it myself but others thrive on it.
It's a good thing to do.  Some cats trap easily, others are very difficult.
Go to this website:

<A HREF="http://www.alleycat.org/">Alley Cat Allies</A>

They have all sorts of good advice on trapping.  I hope the kitten is okay.
Sometimes you don't see a cat you are feeding for a day or 2; it happens to me
all the time.  I get worried about them and then they show up...although, yes,
sometimes bad things happen to feral cats.   That's why they need all the help
they can get re: food, a kind word, some shelter if you have the place and
means for it.  Whatever you can do but it sounds like you are on the right
track.  Tell the group your concerns and see if someone can help you.
Personally, I find it a little stressful.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human."  (Loren Eisely)

Trapping doesn't have to be stressful. Coordinate well with your rescue
group and it should go pretty smoothly (providing the cats "take the bait").

We trapped Boots' mother last fall. We started feeding her on the carport
for a couple of days  Then we got the trap and started feeding her next to
the trap Finally we put the food in the trap. Within an hour I hear the trap
shut. Went out to find we had snagged the wrong cat. Released him/her and
set the trap again. In about 10 minutes I again heard the trap. This time it
was mom. I left her in the trap with the food, covered it with a towel
(which calmed her some) and then the next morning hauled her off to the vet
to be tested and neutered. The rescue group knew I was going to try trapping
that night and had alerted their vet. In her case it turned out she was a
stray instead of ferile so was able to be rehomed.

W

circa Thu, 1 Jul 2004 21:23:11 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
suitta (suitta@cox.net) said,

Excellent. I'm sure that the group will assist you in the process,
and you're to be commended for undertaking it.

Laura