Does Mama ever abandon the litte?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

EmonyDax - 04 Jun 2005 03:49 GMT

I have a feral family out in my back yard under a shed. The three kits are
eight or nine weeks old now and I've been providing the whole family kitten
chow and water since they were about three weeks old. The kits are
semi-socialized (one is almost tame), but the mother is totally feral.

Mama goes off on her own every now and then, but never for more than a few
hours. Recently she's been taking the litter out for entire days or nights
at a time, but always brings them back for a good meal and a snug place to
sleep.

I haven't seen Mama since she brought the kits home last night. Does a
mother cat eventually abandon a litter once she feels that they're safe and
can hunt on their own?

Reply to this Message

Candace - 04 Jun 2005 05:08 GMT

> I haven't seen Mama since she brought the kits home last night. Does a
> mother cat eventually abandon a litter once she feels that they're safe and
> can hunt on their own?

Well, I'm not sure, but I think so. I've always heard that they go
their separate ways when the kittens are weaned. Or harm could have
befallen her. Or she could be in heat again and out looking for some
action. What are you going to do with all those kittens? Is there a
rescue group you could call to help you trap them and maybe get them
into a no-kill shelter or foster homes to get socialized (Mommy, too,
if she comes back)? Otherwise, you're going to have even more of them
running around and it isn't safe for them.

Candace

Reply to this Message

EmonyDax - 04 Jun 2005 06:07 GMT

> Well, I'm not sure, but I think so. I've always heard that they go
> their separate ways when the kittens are weaned. Or harm could have
> befallen her. Or she could be in heat again and out looking for some
> action.

The good news is that Mama's back home with the kids! She just got back
about an hour ago. Wow, 24 hours. She may be in heat again. And I know
the answer to my own question. Of course she'll abandon them -- eventually.
She'll have to in order to reproduce. I'm just wondering when. Before
today I didn't even consider the possibility. Every spring a stray has a
litter under our shed. We always feed them and they move on after we've
mowed and edged the lawn three or four times. This bunch just won't go.

What are you going to do with all those kittens? Is there a

> rescue group you could call to help you trap them and maybe get them
> into a no-kill shelter or foster homes to get socialized (Mommy, too,
> if she comes back)? Otherwise, you're going to have even more of them
> running around and it isn't safe for them.
>
> Candace

It's that time of year when the shelters won't even asnwer their phones.
All I get are messages saying all the rooms at the inn are full; they take
rescues by appointment only; don't call us, we'll call you.

Mama looks vaguely familiar; might be one of last year's little ones. But
she's definately not friendly. Could be that she's just protecting her
babies. On her own, she might be ok. The kits we've been playing with
since they first poked their little heads out from under the shed at (we
think) week three. The little girl is almost fully socialized now and
actually comes to us when called. One of the boys is semi socialized, the
other boy won't leave his mama's side long enough to get to know us. We
could easily grab two but would probably have to trap the third.

We've tried to find homes for them, but no luck. I haven't checked all the
local vets but will continue trying. I need one that will deal with ferals
and support the TNR program. I can't afford to pay for full physicals,
shots, defleaing, etc. just to get the kitty spayed/neutered.

We would bring in the girl and one boy in a heartbeat if we didn't already
have a Pug and three indoor cats. Good Lord, there's only so much room on
one bed!

Reply to this Message

Wendy - 05 Jun 2005 00:26 GMT

http://www.petfinder.com

Go to Petfinder and do a search for rescue groups in your area. Call them
and ask not only if they have room for your cats but if they have
information about low cost spay and neuter in your area.

If it would be possible for you to foster the kittens they may be more
willing to work with you to find homes for these guys and help with TNR of
the mother.

Fact of the matter is the rescue groups have limited resources and foster
space. Some do not have a shelter and are completely dependent on volunteers
to foster. Those who have a shelter obviously only have so much space. If
people are willing to foster their own foundlings then the group might be
able to post their pictures on the petfinder web site or if the group shows
kittens in places like Pet Smart they may let you bring your guys in to show
on their adoption weekends to find them homes. You will get much further if
you can help them and are not looking for some group to just take the
kittens off your hands and spay your feral.

We found young kittens in my son's wrecked car a few years ago. We ran into
the same situation you have - no room at the inn. I was able to find a lot
of help to show me how to bottle feed my guys and the group did let me show
them on Saturdays at our local Pet Smart. We were able to place all of the
kittens and then trap, neuter and place the mother when we discovered she
wasn't feral. The response I got from the groups was quite different when I
said I'd foster them.

> > Well, I'm not sure, but I think so. I've always heard that they go
> > their separate ways when the kittens are weaned. Or harm could have
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> have a Pug and three indoor cats. Good Lord, there's only so much room on
> one bed!

Reply to this Message

bigbadbarry - 05 Jun 2005 01:13 GMT

> It's that time of year when the shelters won't even asnwer their phones.
> All I get are messages saying all the rooms at the inn are full; they take
> rescues by appointment only; don't call us, we'll call you.

After they have weaned; you could give them away at WalMart, I've seen
people on the sidewalk giving kittens away out of a cardboard box.

At a minimum, you know they are going to eat. (You say the shelter
can't take them in?)

Maybe you could make a small flyer to give away with each one,
explaining the basics; you could put several local vet numbers on it.

Reply to this Message