Stray? Cat Dilemma (I added a pic of her)

[MosMom]

There is a little kitty that roams the neighborhood. She has been hanging around for awhile and I debated taking her to a shelter but I wasn't sure if she belonged to someone. I'm pretty sure she is a stray and to top it off...she is very pregnant. Her sides are bulging and I can feel movement.

She could still belong to someone (although wandering cats are a rarity around here) but I kind of feel like if you are that irresponsible of a pet owner, maybe you shouldn't have the cat anyway. We have fed her before and she eats like she is starved...gulping down the food quickly.

I just hate to think of her giving birth to those kittens in a bush somewhere and not being able to care for them. She is a SWEET kitty (follows the kids around like a dog and loves being around them) and I believe she would be adopted quickly. I'm sure the kittens would be too.

What would you do? I've asked around a bit and nobody knows who she belongs to. Should I just get her to a shelter quickly before she has the babies or let her be?

 

[Beauty]

Knowing me I would take her in and have a zillion cats! I am a HUGE cat lover. I have 8 now that are all inside cats. They are my babies!! That poor baby. I know I would take her in and take her to the vet and she would be my baby. Then when the kittens were old enough to be given away they would and she would stay with me.

I don't know about a shelter, is there a no kill shelter there? I think I would definatly call a no kill shelter or rescue or even ask your friends or neighbors.

Good Luck! I'm a sucker for cats!

 

[MosMom]

I love kitties too and I would take her in but I have two cats and two little ones. I just don't think I have the time or energy right now to take in a pregnant cat.

I was going to find a no kill shelter or a cat shelter. I just feel bad for her and I would hate for her to have her babies alone in a mulch pile somewhere. If she is starving, she won't produce enough milk to feed multiple babies either.

 

[Bashful2]

Do you have a Pals for Paws in your area? The one in my town is wonderful. My neighbors had the same situation as you. Pals for Paws kept the mama until she had her babies and found homes for all of the kittens. Mama, now known as Sweet Pea, was spayed and is now one of my neighbor's much loved and pampered furbabies.

 

[catsrule]

Adopt it.

 

[MosMom]

Would you like a girlfriend for Simba? I don't live very far away.

Here she is before she became obviously pregnant. She is a real sweetie pie.

 

[Beauty]

Oh she is beautiful, she looks like my Cinders who was rescued from the pound on the day she was to be put to sleep.

I agree find a no kill shelter so the baby will have the attention she deserves.

 

[ilovepcot]

I'm pretty sure that beautiful cat wandered away from P-COT! Could you please return her???

 

[Maleficent13]

She's so pretty. I miss my kitty...

 

[Desiree]

Just a word of friendly advice, please get her checked at a vet for feline leukemia. Our stray has it, and she is a member of our family now and is being treated as much as we can but the vet doesn't expect her to live another 2 years. She is very prone to illness. But be sure not to bring other cats around her. It spreads very quickly. Those baby kitties (if they are free of disease), should go quickly at a rescue center. She is beautiful!

 

[chager]

Trying to find a no kill rescue is my first choice if a home can't be found. Unfortunately most of the shelters are already at capacity due to the time of year. There are groups that rely on foster care so that may be an option. You could look up Petfind and see what is in your area. Before bringing her in your home she does need to be vet checked for FIV and FeLuk. Both are highly contagious and deadly. Although the cat can live very happily for a long time after the Dx. (My parents little girl has FeLuk. She tested positive 4 years ago after testing neg. for 6 years. She is doing great though)
If a no kill or foster care situation isn't available then a regular shelter would still be better then allowing her to remain on the streets. If she has the kittens outside there is a chance they will become feral which makes the even harder to adopt out because they then need to taught how to trust people. (Been there done that....have scars)
There is also a possibility she is not pregnant but has something medically going on. Our youngest suddenly started looking pregnant. She is an indoor only cat and had been spayed. Even the vet thought she looked pregnant and asked if we were sure she was spayed. (It was done by another vet before we took her from my grandmother. ALthough I personally think the vet was a fraud and a jerk!) He xrayed her but it didn't show anything. We did other tests but everything came out ok. She also doesn't look pregnant anymore...no explanation. I don't know if cats can have false pregnancies but she gained and then lost weight just like she had been
I wish I could take her. She is so sweet looking. I think my youngest has the ability to read because she is sitting in front of me staring at me now Please forgive any spelling errors she is sitting on my laptop demanding to be petted.

 

[Indyman]

MosMom,
I think I remember seeing you live in the Indy area. You may want to consider calling
Cats Haven . It's a no kill shelter. Although their website says they are at capacity, they may be able to steer you in the right direction.

 

[Rajah]

Oh, she's beautiful.

I would end up trying to catch her and give her to my friends who live down the street and I'm sure would take her in. LOL! I couldn't myself.

But barring that option, I agree with finding a no-kill shelter for her ASAP.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yes, unfortunately it is incredibly difficult to find a no kill shelter that is not at capacity for cats. Adult cats are almost impossible to adopt out.

If she is pregnant and you would be willing to keep the Mommy yourself (hint hint), I think most shelters would be willing in helping you place the kittens. (hint hint hint hint)

 

[scarlett873]

bridget...we adopted our dog from an organization there in Fishers...

http://www.adoptarpo.org/

they are an excellent organization...all of their animals are fostered, not put into a shelter. they are also at petsmart every saturday for pet adoptions...

i highly recommend calling them!!!!

 

[jacksonsmom]

She is a beauitful cat.

I would catch her & at least have a vet check her out, make sure she is OK.

I would call a no-kill shelter & see what they can do. If they can't help you they may be able to direct you to a place that can

In any case she should not be wandering around in her condition.

 

[Virgo10]

We've had 4 mommy cats here. Three were strays and the 4th came from a relative who couldn't keep her. Kittens in this area are getting harder and harder to find. Looks like spay and neutering your pets is really catching on!

The first litter we had, I had Mom and the babies Vet checked and then gave the kittens away. The second litter I charged $20 for each kitten and they flew out of here. By the last litter, I asked $45 per kitten and they still flew out of here. I got their Vet appointments paid for and had enough money left over to get Mom fixed.

If the cat is healthy you may do better offering the kittens (and mom too!) yourself. Our local MSPCA charges nearly $100 for cats/kittens. My charge was a deal.

She's a sweety for sure and I bet her babies will be beautiful.

Roberta