Found kittens in our bushes

[Kat77]

How do you handle rescue kittens?
Right now they are in a large box on the front porch with food and water... we are hoping mama cat will come check on them. They look about four weeks old.

 

[smacky1]

I would call your local shelter or animal control officer. They would know best how to handle to situation. Good luck!

 

[uk_wildcat]

We had this happen 2 weeks ago to us. We found two tiny kittens in our backyard (which is fenced). We got them and called animal control. They told us that they would not come get them. We had to wait until the next day when the SPCA was open and take them there ourselves. Later that night, we went to check the yard to make sure the mom had not come back for them and found 2 more! We got them all in the house and left them in a cage for the night. The next morning we took them to the SPCA and they told us that they could not take them because they were only about 3-4 weeks old and they were also too full (as were all other shelters in our area). They said that if we left them that they would be put to sleep. We couldn't bear to do that, so we brought them back home and decided to go back behind our house and see if we could find the mom cat. We had them in a box and stood by it, while they meowed and out of the woods came the mom. She is a feral cat and would not come close to us, so we let the kittens out and walked where she could not see us. She came up and got the kittens and they followed her back into the woods. Ideally, I would have preferred to find them homes, but at that age, they were still not weaned and could not eat food. If I could have gotten the mother, I would have and taken her to get spayed, but she would not have let me even close.
I felt bad that I couldn't truly help the cats, but felt better that I didn't just kill them. At least I gave them some sort of chance to survive. It really is sad that there just aren't enough resources to take care of strays. I know I probably contributed to the pet population, but we really could not find a place in the area that would help out. My son and husband are both allergic to cats, so it wasn't even an option for us to keep them.
Maybe try to find a local no kill shelter. We tried and found nothing, but maybe you will have more luck. When they are that little, if they don't eat soon, they will not survive.

 

[Kat77]

We checked the bushes for more kittens and did not find any. There are four of them so I hope that is the entire litter. They did eat some of the kibble we put out (crunched it into smaller pieces).
I am not keen on turning them over to animal control. Where can I find cheap vaccinations and spaying? Our vet charges too much to take all of them there.

 

[baby]

We checked the bushes for more kittens and did not find any. There are four of them so I hope that is the entire litter. They did eat some of the kibble we put out (crunched it into smaller pieces).
I am not keen on turning them over to animal control. Where can I find cheap vaccinations and spaying? Our vet charges too much to take all of them there.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Where+can+I+find+cheap+vaccinations+and+spaying?+texas

 

[Kat77]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Where+can+I+find+cheap+vaccinations+and+spaying?+texas

LOL! I did that. Looks like shelters are overpopulated from March until September and the kitties are likely to be euthanised.
I should have posed my question differently. I am trying to figure out the best way to find homes for the kittens and make sure their needs are met until then. What do seasoned animal rescuers do? Petco vaccination clinics and craiglist?

 

[mantaz]

If you have pet rescue groups in your area, try to contact them and ask what to do. Perhaps they can help you figure out cheaper costs and also foster them till they get homes. Around here they are out in front of Petsmarts and Petcos. They need lots of love as kittens to be adopted easily. We have 2 that we adopted years ago that were not held and loved as kittens. They are happy to be petted, finally and love to sit next to you, but they preferred to be left with all 4 feet touching the ground!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

If you can get them spayed/ neutered/ vaccinated before finding them homes that's ideal. There are low cost programs in most area - around here it's SNAP but there are others too (just can't think of them right now). Call animal control or any cat rescue group and they'll be happy to give you the information.

To find homes you can use craigslist if you're in a major enough area. Do screen people if you can and make sure they're going to good homes. You can also contact all of the rescue groups in your area - goto petfinder.com and do a local shelter search - and ask them if they would do a courtesy listing for you. Also spread the word via e-mail / friends/ family etc. Include pictures! If you just show one of the kittens to a cat rescuer they should be able to give you a rough age estimate or get one weighed (petsmart etc may weigh them for free for you). Basic rule with kittens is .25 / week old so if they weigh 2 lbs they're around 8 weeks old etc. If they're eating solid food they're at least 4 weeks old.

I used to do a lot of feline rescue.

 

[Green Tea]

Are you POSITIVE the mother cat isn't coming back? She might have thought your bushes were a great place to raise the family. I would put them back out and watch from afar.

Unless you know the mom got hit by a car or something Then bottle feed?

 

[kaywoody]

Are you in the DFW area? If so, there is the SNYP program (I think it's in other areas too). http://www.dfwsnyp.com/

I've had two kitties dropped on my doorstep, and was able to get a coupon for a low cost spay for each of them. I don't remember the exact cost, but it seems like it was about 1/4 the cost of what my vet was going to charge.

 

[QVCshopper]

I would try to find the mama cat. I adopted a kitten (now 8) who was taken from him mama too young. He does things that aren't right--eats carpet, never covers his poop, etc.--all because he never learned. He's a sweet cat, but not the smartest. He was bottle fed by humans from very early on.

I just adopted my second stray. He came from a rescue organization that traps, neuters, and adopts out their animals. He's a sweetie, and I can tell he learned some things from his mama, even if she was ferral.

So, try to find the mama and then get into contact with an organization that traps and neuters and then adopts out. I got my little guy from Stray Cat Blues on SE PA. He's such a sweetie, and the volunteers really cared. Try petfinder.com; search your zip code and see the names of the charities/organizations that pop up. A local vet office might be able to help as well.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you touch the kittens, you might "contaminate" them with your body scent and cause the mother cat to abandon them.

For those eavesdropping, it may be better to watch for the mother cat first before trying to rescue or move the kittens.

 

[Keira1387]

First off, I just want to tell you that I think that you are doing a wonderful thing. It would have been so easy to just drop them off at the SPCA and been through with them. I can't be a lot of help, but I would think the best people to talk to would be a non-profit organization for cats. It seems that they would have the best interest in mind for the cat and would be able to give you the best advice. Also your local humane society should sell discounted certificates to have them spayed/neutered. Good luck.

 

[mdoll4]

If you touch the kittens, you might "contaminate" them with your body scent and cause the mother cat to abandon them.

For those eavesdropping, it may be better to watch for the mother cat first before trying to rescue or move the kittens.

I'm not sure there's such a thing as "contaminating" baby animals. I don't even think it's true for baby birds, as the myth commonly is. I worked at a Nature Center for a while, and that was a common phone call.

I do agree though that wouldn't put the kittens back out in the "wild". Watch for the mama. Animals are just as loving and affectionate as we are over our babies. If she's still alive, I'm sure she'll be around. If not, I'd say post something on Craigslist or the classifieds in the paper. (Or find friends or family members that you trust.) You could probably even try a shelter. Kittens get adopted out way before adult cats, since they're so much cuter, so you probably wouldn't have to worry about them being euthanized, unless they're ill.

And post a picture here! I'm obsessed with cats.

 

[EMom]

Mama Kitty may live elsewhere and be making a trip home for food. If they are that young, if you can make some "gruel" it would be great. Basically, you take canned cat food, add hot water and mix it up until it becomes thinned. It's easier for them to eat than hard food. Plus, it will give them water.

Where are you in Texas, generally speaking? There are rescue groups and I could try to help you find one.

 

[hambirg]

My cousin is very active in a cat rescue group. Put the kittens back out in the box, and put out some tempting food and water for the momma. Even if she is ferrel, like a PP said, they are very loving parents. If she's still alive, she will be back! If you do happen to see her. . .try to contact a local cat rescue group. They will put out humane traps for them. . .and will make sure they have the kittens and the momma. They will also care for them, find homes for all of them and have the momma spade. If the momma doesn't show up, and it's obvious that the kittens aren't being fed (because the momma may be very skittish and you may not see her, but she may still be around and nursing the kittens) then it would be time to step in. This has happened several times to my mom. If the momma is still around she puts food out for her and let's them be until the kittens are old enough. Then she calls my cousin and they come and get all them. You don't want to accidentally separate the kitties from the momma before they're ready. Good luck. . .and I think it's ok to handle the kittens. It's good for their socialization and it won't keep the momma away from them, BUT she may not come around if you are always around them. Leave some time for them to be out their alone where she can feel that it's safe to go to them.

 

[dyna]

A bit OT...

A couple of yrs ago we discovered a liter of kittens under our pool barn the kittens was prolly old enough to start eating kitty food an we put food an water out for them an momma. 1 of the kittens was solid black an I wanted that one. Once we put the food out the momma cat (feral as was the kittens there was no catchin any of them) moved the kittens. We did not see the kittens or momma again.

Couple months later I got up 1 mornin an my DD's told me the kittens was back that they was on the downstairs patio. I went to go out on the deck upstairs got to the door heard something an looked down there was the black kitten I wanted knocking on my door. Opened door he ran in lookin for lovin..with that his litter mates took off never to be seen again.

I still have the black 1 got him fixed right away. Feral cats a real problem for some in my neighborhood but we can not catch them either.

 

[NikiM20]

If you can foster them, I would contact a local rescue group. You may also be able to get shots and spay/ neuter at the groups price if you foster the kittens for them.

 

[50sjayne]

I would try to find the mama cat. I adopted a kitten (now 8) who was taken from him mama too young. He does things that aren't right--eats carpet, never covers his poop, etc.--all because he never learned. He's a sweet cat, but not the smartest. He was bottle fed by humans from very early on.

QUOTE]
This cracks me up...I have an Odie too lol. He's a real kneader too--makes me crazy laying on the bed next to him. They do this because it's what they do when they nurse...

If they are eating solid food then they are ready to wean. I wouldn't go for the Mama unless you are willing to take her somewhere to get fixed. You could look for the feral cat coalition in your area. Most of kittens socialization happens in the first 6 weeks of life--if you can spend as much time with them right now as possible--that is what is ideal. Just try some good quality kitten canned food on 'em. Felidae cat n kittens is awesome--don't get the chicken though (yellow labeling)-- no one likes it. Turkey, Lamb and Ocean Fish--that's the one you want.
When I have feral kittens that's when my family knows they won't see me much. I put them in a room where they can't hide. You have to 'kittenproof' to do this--block off under the bed with blankets or boards and such. When they are eating, pet them and talk to them, low and calm. Leaving the radio or tv on in your absence helps--I always put it on the classical station. Feliway plug ins are awesome--I wouldn't pay more than $15 for the refills online-- can't remember how much I'd spend on the diffuser package but I know you can get them for a better price online like on ebay. There's something called rescue remedy that you can put a little in their water or dab some on their ears when you are handling them-- it is amazing stuff-- really works. Really socialize them good and you shoudln't have too much trouble getting them adopted. I like craigs list as shelters around here are so overwhelmed in the last few years, you have to put up your ad weekly though or it gets buried. I would ask for a small fee if they are not spayed/neutered, 1st shots like $10 just to make sure they don't end up snake food or pitbull bait. And request a follow up visit for the same reasons. Good luck. There's lot's of advice to be found online...
For vaccinations, I called around and tried to find the best kitten package around--comparison priced and I do this with some if I want them checked for FIV etc. There's some I've rescued from really bad situations. Most though I just take to our local low cost spay and neuter clinic-- they do the basics while they are under and do follow up immunizations really cheap too.

You're lucky-- kitens are my most favorite thing in this world... The 2 in the picture below I rescued this summer from our store's back receiving deck. I did take Mama too because she was so friendly and skeleton thin. I still have
em all lol--gave up after a month but my adoptions standards are really high and I felt bad for the poor mama-- lord knows how many kittens she had that she lost. She's the best Mama ever--seriously.

[/IMG]

 

[Kat77]

Thanks Everyone!
Right now we are on the hunt for the kittens. Mama cat came back and moved them. Originally she climbed in the box with them, ate the rest of the kitten food and nursed. She moved them into our side yard bushes late in the afternoon (as people began to walk their dogs). We assumed that is where she would settle in but I looked out to see her carrying kitten 2 out of 4 through a missing fence plank into the neighbors yard just as it was getting dark. The neighbors were out last night and it stormed all day, so right now DH is making rounds with DD11 to search through our neighbors bushes before it gets too dark out. We may be kitten hunting this week.
About snake food... when I was a teenager I actually stole a puppy (lowered it out a window to my friend) from a nutjob who was planning to feed it to a snake. I had forgotten all about that until yesterday. My friend and I tried to take it to the city pound on our way home but it was closed so I fessed up to my mom. She let me keep it.