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I live in a large condo complex. A few weeks ago, 2 neighbors and I noticed a "stray" hanging around the complex. Talking to other neighbors, a resident moved and left this cat behind, so we started feeding it hoping to trap it. Well, we noticed about 2 weeks ago it's a she, judging by her girth.
We hadn't seen her all week until yesterday, slim and svelte. Yes, she had kittens. Got a good look at her today (she is friendly) and she has teats. Don't know where the kittens are. So, I'm wondering, if we were to locate the kittens, trap mom, then bring her kittens to her, would that be feasible? We would like to take them in and get the kittens tame so they can be rehomed, along with mama. Of course, they would all be vetted/fixed.
We're not that knowledgeable, so any ideas you have is appreciated.
The good news is the mom isn't feral. Keep feeding her and petting her when you see her. Feed her extra since she's nursing. She needs canned cat food for the moisture. You can wait until she brings the kittens to be fed around 6 weeks old and do the following: Always Trap Feral Kittens, Don't Chase 'Em Down and Bag 'Em!
If you locate the kittens, don't touch them. Don't let her know you know where they are. She'll move them if you do, and she'll lose trust in you. If you find the kittens before they are walking, you can scoop up the kittens and put them in the trap to lure the mother via the following: Kittens and Mom Scenarios and How to Trap - Alley Cat Allies
Be certain you have all of the kittens. You have to be careful because kittens can only go a few hours between feedings or their glucose will drop.
Steelstress, bless you for trying to help!! I would want to STRANGLE that resident who moved and simply left his/her pregnant cat behind -- who could DO that??!!!
It's a couple of days since you last posted, so I hope you have found the kittens! Please update us!
No, we have not found them yet. I took a walk around the complex hoping to hear them, but nothing. Problem is, after momcat eats, she jumps over a patio wall and disappears into that patio. I don't believe the kittens are there, as that unit is occupied. I suspect she wants to remain stealth at this point. She used to walk along the top of the patio walls, but now now.
Talked to my neighbor yesterday who has taken the lead on this rescue (I covered feeding for one week while she was out of town), and we decided if we find the kittens, we want to relocate them to her patio along with momcat, since we feed her there every day. We hope to make these kittens adoptable.
No, we have not found them yet. I took a walk around the complex hoping to hear them, but nothing. Problem is, after momcat eats, she jumps over a patio wall and disappears into that patio. I don't believe the kittens are there, as that unit is occupied. I suspect she wants to remain stealth at this point. She used to walk along the top of the patio walls, but now now.
Talked to my neighbor yesterday who has taken the lead on this rescue (I covered feeding for one week while she was out of town), and we decided if we find the kittens, we want to relocate them to her patio along with momcat, since we feed her there every day. We hope to make these kittens adoptable.
If you can, try to follow her after she eats but keep your distance and don't let her know you're watching her. If you get lucky, she'll lead you to the kittens (or at least the general area). But if she sees you following/watching she probably won't go to them, so be very stealthy. If you do find them, be prepared to capture them then as you may only get one shot at it. If Momma cat thinks you've found them or smells you on them, she'll most likely move them & you'll have to start all over again.
You may already know all this, but thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Good luck finding them.
Thank you so much, Hope. I will be reading the links and sharing with my neighbors.
I bought a ton of canned food today, so that's covered.
Thank you for being so kind to this mother and concerned for her and her babies.
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