Kittens - advice needed **Thanks!

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Nicole & Baby

Nicole & Baby

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My grandmother just called me to let me know that 2 feral cats she has been taking care of now have kittens on her deck. The two feral ones were too wild to be caught & she walks with a walker & cannot take care of all these.

What do we do? I know we need to capture the kittens & take them to a shelter before they get wild, she just noticed them today - I suspect they are less than a week old. When do I try to take them in? I know kittens need to be with their mom... this is an emergency to us & the kittens, please advise.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

I have written answer at fb, Nicole. Ours were 2 months and independent when we caught them.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Get the kittens and feed them .... you can feed these kits and then find them good homes when they are ready. Yes, staying with the Mom would be the best thing but if she is too feral to be caught, then she will teach the kits to be just like her ......

You can get formula and a small bottle to feed them at a Petco or any pet store. You need to get them now though. Mom will move them around, you may not know where the next time. You will need to also help them "go" with a warm washcloth. Keep them warm and full and inter-act with them ALOT and you will have outstanding kits that will be easy to find homes for. (I had a waiting list :)
Nancy and Payne
(who was part of 11 kits and you have to wait too long to eat with ELEVEN!!)
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Thank you so much everyone & Ann for updating the group.. just got back home. There were six of them, no more than a week old - I suspect a few days. Mom ran off & hissed (extremely feral) I took the 6 kittens to a local shelter, we fed them with a bottle & found a foster mom who is going to take them in. I now plan to trap the mom & hopefully reunite them per the advice of the shelter. Cannot do that until tomorrow though. I am extremely upset for the mom, I know she is going to try & come back for her kittens & then they won't be there - however I have to remind myself - that I did what I thought best at the time, the kittens are no longer in the elements, surrounded by wildlife & will not grow up feral. Just distraught over the momma...

Thank you for all your help here & on facebook.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

What about the mama kitty. Won't she be uncomfortable and maybe even
get mastitis from her milk not being taken.

She also needs to get spayed, or here we go again.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

At first the most important thing you must do is keep them warm very warm. The other thing you must do is keep the dehydrated. You must be there mother that means feeding them and helping them go to the bathroom. If there eyes are not open yet don't try to force it. Some people do and that can cause damage.

Try finding a foster feline mother; breeders, veterinarians and animal shelters may know of nursing cats in your area. If they are only a week old then it will be quite a challenge to keep them alive. Don't have them around a lot of noise and a lot of people. Treat them very gentle otherwise they will grow up skittish. Also don't just leave them for hours on end. You need to be with them. You need to wake up for feedings etc. they can't go as long as we can. Babies need to eat in small amounts often. Don't let them overeat. That can cause havoc to them also.

I work with a feral cat rescue so I have raised quite a few kittens that are very young. In fact my Suzie who was a diabetic was a feral kitten that I had to bottle feed etc. . If they are only a week old you will have a full time job. Get them to a Vet ASP. The first week, kittens should be kept between 88 and 92 degrees F. The next 4 to 5 weeks around 80 degrees. Any chill will kill a small kitten QUICKLY. You will also need to rub the belly. It stimulates them so they can go to the bathroom. They can't go to the bathroom otherwise if they are that young. Usually the mother does it with her tongue. Here are two of the better websites I refer people to.


http://www.feralcat.com/raising.html

http://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm

I volunteer with the Fairchild foundation PLEASE try to get in contact with a program in your area that does Trap Neuter spay release. Otherwise you are going to have more kittens. Most kittens die a horrible death in the feral world.

Here is the organization I help with. In fact my cat Puddy is one of their post children. She has lived with me inside for about 6 years but she doesn't like people much. She isn't a "pet" as we think of them but she isn't truly feral anymore either.
http://www.fairchildcat.org/
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Hi, I do have that on my to do list.. please believe I am terrified of her getting pregnant again, I do not live real close to my grandmother & did not know about the mom until she was too feral to catch. I just try to do my best & will continue to. I probably handled this all wrong, but went with my heart & head about the emergent situation on hand. Am doing my best to get the mom trapped tomorrow & of course spayed. The kittens are not with me, but with a foster.. I am sorry if I did it all wrong, my heart is heavy about the whole situation.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Mom ran off & hissed (extremely feral) I took the 6 kittens to a local shelter>>

The mother will be okay. She will be sad and may look for them for a while but then she will calm down. She may even meow a little. If she is truely feral unless the shelter is used to working with ferals and is no kill don't take the mother there. There is a good chance if it is not non kill she will be put down. Most people and most shelters have little knowledge of how to deal with ferals.

A feral cat will not do well in shelter. Not a true feral cat. true feral are wild creatures. Wonderful creatures living their life as nature gave it to them. Just leave her for now or trap her and get her fixed and release her. That will take care of the milk problem. Let her live her life. If you get her fixed a feral can live a good life. Ferals do not want to live in your home or any house or shelter. They want to be free. Around here even the feral kittens are usually put to sleep unless you get lucky and get them into a non-kill shelter.

The mom will be okay. The kittens are out of your hands now. Their fate will be whatever it will be. However unless the shelter works with ferals and if she is truely feral taking her there will not be a good thing for her.

thanks for caring
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

I have left an emergency message with the foster person to call me, I think I am going to go get the 6 kittens & return them back to the mom if that is what is best? Then plan to have the mom/babies trapped this week? Or should I leave the kittens where they are being bottle fed, focus on getting mom trapped tomorrow & then reuniting?

**ETA just saw your post.. yes, the shelter has said they will put the mom down after she feeds her kitties long enough.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Nicole you did your best your tried. The kittens have a chance now. Out in the wild they most likely would have died. I won't go into the details of what can happen to feral kittens. It is to sad. Do you have a group near your grandma that works with Ferals? Perhaps they can help you get the mother trapped and spayed and shots. Then release her back to her home. She could live a pretty good and long life if she is fixed. The boys will leave her alone. If she has her shots she won't get distemper etc. . . Ferals can lead very good lives with a little help.

The kittens most likely wouldn't have made it on the outside but mom has already shown she can so help her if you can live her best natural life. If you tell me what city your grandma lives in perhaps I can help you find a feral program? I guess you should Pm that and not put it on the boards. I have no idea how to private message so I can't help tell you how to do that.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

(((Tracey))) thank you so much.. I apologize for sounding so scattered & emotional.. like all of us here who love animals.. it just breaks my heart. I appreciate your helpful advice & kind words. I live in the Kansas City area.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Or should I leave the kittens where they are being bottle fed, focus on getting mom trapped tomorrow & then reuniting?>>

Leave the kittens were they are. I would not try to reunite them if the mother is feral in a shelter enviroment. Unless it is truely a non kill shelter. Try to get her fixed if you can. She will go crazy if you try to trap her and she is truly feral. The other thing that happens sometimes is shelters use the mom's to feed the babies for a few weeks. Then when the babies are old enough to be weaned they put the mother to sleep because she can't be tammed. So she wouldn't be suitable for adoption and for some reason they think they are being kinder to the feral if they put her down instead of putting her back in her natural enviroment. She understand her enviroment. She is one of the few that survive past kittenhood. As many ferals are there are out there believe it or not few kittens survive.

The best thing would be for the mom and babies to be together yet for a while but I don't think that is possible now. If they would then the mom re realeased to her home where she is living now after she feed the babies for a few weeks that would be cool. Hwoever, Few shelters do that. After you turn her over to a shelter hun you have no control over what will happen to her. So before you decide anything KNOW their policies and make sure they are being in the up and up with you.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

I have left them a message to call me..

**Last few questions:
1. When they return my call, do I go pick up the kittens, allow them to be with mom for another month & then trap them and hope they are tame enough to take to a shelter? Then trap mom & get her spayed?
OR..
2. Just leave as is & get mom trapped & spayed?

What is best? They will kill mom & told me upfront, but I know they will give me the kittens back. Which is best? I personally think option 2 is.. because the kittens stand a better chance.. but I am not an expert at all & will listen to advice.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

It is so sad that they put the mother down. It really DOES NOT HAVE TO be like that. So few people understand feral cats. They are wonderful creatures that have a right to their life. Even if you do trap her and take her in there is a good chance it would NOT work. The best would be to have someone take the mother and the kittens that understands ferals but that is going to be pretty hard to do.

Trap her get her fixed but please don't take her to the shelter. There is a good chance that she would not feed them anyway. I know you are doing the best you can. I am glad you have a kind heart and took the time to care. The kittens have a chance now. The mother has no chance if you take her over.

I made my share of mistakes dealing with ferals when I first began. I still regret some decsions I made and it did cost some of the lives . . . before I was educated about ferals but I know I was only trying to help as you are. The kittens have chance now. Usually a shelter will try with kittens i f they can find them a foster home. Taking the mother there is well you know . . .


I have heard about this place below. they are suppose to be pretty good with ferals. Not sure if it is the correct Kansas CIty but if it isn't let me know. We will try to find you another program.

Tell them everything. I pulled some info from their site. I believe there are a few Feral programs in kansas city KS so if this one doesn't work I will look for another one for you.
Contact Us: 816-333-PETS (7387)
http://www.nmhpkc.org/index.php?PAGE_ID=7

No More Homeless Pets KC
PO Box 140202
Kansas City, MO 64114

No More Homeless Pets KC
Spay/Neuter Clinic
5428 Antioch Drive
Merriam, KS 66202

816.333.PETS

info@nmhpkc.org



NMHPKC Spay/Neuter Clinic
5428 Antioch Drive
Merriam, KS 66202
(816) 333-7387
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

PS for anyone reading this that has never dealt with ferals or has not been around them much please check out site and learn. They are wonderful creatures and you can learn a lot about feral cats and how to save their lives here. It is in their best health interest that everyone know how to deal with feral because often when you meant them you don't have time to go do research. Ferals are different then are house cats but just as wonderful! This is a national organization for ferals and they have the best all around info to teach what a feral cat is and how to help them : )
http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Thank you so much! You have pulled the accurate location & really appreciate your time & resources.
I will call them in the morning & WILLget mom trapped/spayed.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

2. Just leave as is & get mom trapped & spayed?>>

Leave the kittens were they are. Now if you get a hold a a local group that works with Ferals. They very well may be able to help you. They may be able to help you get them mom and the kittens back together in a way that it will work. Although at this point that is going to be vry hard.

The best would be to have mom care for the kittens for a little while then get mom fixed and release her. That isn't going to happen because the shelter does not understand ferals. It is not right to give her a death sentance.


The kitten have a chance now. A better chance then if you would have left them outside un cared for. it is a death sentance for mom if you take her in to the shelter you are now using. Do get her fixed and get her the shots. I believe you said there were two feral cats. Try to get the other one fixed and shots. It is worth it. They reward is great you may not get purrs and kisses but you will know that you have helped a fellow traveler.

There are many reasons to do this trap nueter return. It will prevent more cats from coming about grandma's house. The tom cats will leave the female cat alone etc. . .

Don't take ma cat to that shelter. . would be my advice. You will always regret it if you do I believe take my advice if you will from experiece. I have been doing feral cats about 15 years now. Boy am I getting OLD!
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ASAP Please

Thank you so much! You have pulled the accurate location & really appreciate your time & resources.>>

Good luck and thank you for caring : )
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ..Update.. Still need help!

Just received a call that all 6 kitties tested positive for feline leukemia & were euthanized :cry:
I really need to get the mom trapped so she does not spread this disease any longer :cry:
Cannot get anyone in the Kansas City area to help.. have called everyone. Even Animal Control.. who said they do not deal with cats..because of no leash laws.
I am really trying.. we now have a feral cat not spayed, with feline leukemia :!:
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ..Update.. Still need help!

Oh no...I am so sorry to hear this about the little ones.

You are trying so hard and doing the right thing.

Those little ones are at Rainbow Bridge and they will greet YOU
again someday.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ..Update.. Still need help!

Thanks, Karen.. I am beside myself at the lack of resources from the animal oriented organizations. I would give up.. but can't because the cat population is at risk. It breaks my heart & continues to break my heart that my family and "resources" think I am CrAzY.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed ..Update.. Still need help!

You may want to do some research on testing for kittens. Often Kittens test postive when in deed they are not postive. That could be the case here. I suspect it is. They really don't know until they do a retest in 6-8 weeks which of course in this case they are not going to do. We test the cats some we put to sleep right away and some we don't. It depends if we can find foster homes. Often with the kittens the tests turn out to be wrong when they are little.

There are quite a few schools that believe at cat needs to be 6 months to be tested for an kind of accuracy. There are many different schools of thought.

Even if the kittens had it it doesn't not mean the mother does. Although it may be likely if the kittens had it in the first place. My first cat had feline leukemia. I would want any feral cat to have to deal with that alone.

I am going to tell you something else not to make you feel bad at all. I am glad you at least tried to help but for the benefit of the mama cat there are things you need to know. If you catch her you should test her before you decide to put her down. It is to bad you are not local to me I could help you. I do this kind of stuff all the time.

anyway, the other sad thing I have learned in working with shelters is quite a few just put the kittens down when they are that young. If the person calls in and asks about it they say they had something when they don't as not to upset the person to much. It is sad that they do that but I understand why, politics and fund raising. it doesn't look good to put healthy cats down to the public that doesn't understand the vast numbers of cats and dogs that are dealt with.

I have been working closely with shelters for a long time. Some believe it is justified because they don't want to lose their funding with bad press.

Here in Reading about a year ago one of the shelters I work with put a cat down and her kittens before the lady left the buidling. She found our and the shelter got a lot of bad press. I work with this shelter I understood why they did it even thought didn't like it. There are just to many of them. Now if some call and asks and the cat was put to sleep they just well you know.

So if you catch the mama cat these are things you should think about. I am not sure what I would do in your case. I guess I would catch her and have her tested. If she tested postive I would put her down. If not would get her fixed and release her if she is really feral. If she is just a stray I would try to find her a home. Not an easy task but it is worth it in the long run if you can do it. If not then know you have tried.

Good luck,
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Good Update

(((Tracey))) I continue to thank you for taking the time to care & educate me. Thank you!
Great update.. Spay & Neuter of Kansas City called me this morning & are sending over someone to trap feral momma.. they will then put her to sleep.. test for Feline Leukemia.. if she tests positive they will see if a foster home is an option.. if feral though.. it wont be an option & she will be euthanized (she is feral.. I know) anyway.. if she tests negative.. they will give her the rabies vaccination.. clip her ear (to indicate in future she has been taken care of) & then spay her and release her back. I am so thankful I finally have help!!! Thank you for letting me know all this! I will let you know how it all turns out!
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Good Update

Thank you for letting me know all this! I will let you know how it all turns out!>>


You are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to care about the ferals. I wasn't sure how to word certain things because if most people really new what goes on in some of the non-kill shelters they would be horrified. They have to fudge things in order to keep their funding. Sadly we do need the non-kill shelters. It isn't that they don't care there are just to many animals to take care of. Yet the public doens't want to see a shelter and a place of mass killings. if more people would take up the cause the shelters wouldn't have to be like that. So I don't blame the shelters as much . . . TNR is a good way to go to get the number down but most people still don't understand it. Most people think all cat want to live in homes with soft beds and that often is not the case. . .


I believe you said there were two hanging out there. If there is you may want to see if they will trap the other one also. Get the help while you can.

I hope it turns out good. That she is okay and gets what she needs and is released back home. Ferals with a little help from us can actually live pretty good lives. They do need to be fixed though and shots etc. . . .

There is so much to know about feral cats. It is an entire different world then the one we are used to dealing with house cats. I am still learnign so much! It is all a learning process perhaps someone that reads this post will learn also.

She may not be feral you would be surprised how many cats seem feral but are strays that have been out on their own for a while and have just reverted back to their natural wild state. If that is the case often if worked with a little they come back to the state of a house cat. It is hard very hard to tell the differance until you have had them for a few days sometimes a few weeks.

When they come over tell them a volunteer from Fairchild Foundation in Reading says thanks and we hope that we can have a program like their's someday. They won't know who we are that is okay. If you forget that is okay also. It is nice to know that there is someone out there saying hey you are doing a good job and when we grow up we want to be like you : ) We are still pretty small compared to them. We are of course a much smaller city.

Good luck and thanks
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Good Update

I had a mother cat and her 3 kittens come up to my house about 10 years ago. I started feeding them. A short time later, there were only two kittens left. I wanted to catch the mama cat as soon as I could to get her fixed but I was not fast enough. She got pregnant again and had four more. As soon as they got old enough to eat and drink on their own, I caught the mama cat. She acted like a caged panther. I took her to the vet and got her spayed. Then I caught each of the two older kittens and got them spayed. I released them once they had recovered some from the surgery. The four from the last litter were brought in my house to try to tame so they could be given away. About 3 1/2 years ago, the mama cat disappeared. She had been here about 6 1/2 years. The two cats from the first litter still come up every day for food and water. I have doghouses on the porch for them and put a heated bed in each doghouse in the winter. They are about 9 1/2 years old now. And the four from the last litter that I was going to try to give away...well they are all still here. Even though they were only with their mother a few weeks, the wild tendencies are still there sometimes especially for one of them. I call them my "special needs kitties."
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Good Update

And the four from the last litter that I was going to try to give away...well they are all still here. >>

ROTFLOL. I love it.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

Momma was trapped within 10 minutes of setting trap!! Tested Negative for Feline Leukemia & is Spayed.. will be released back to my grandmother's yard tomorrow!!
Rabies shot given tooooo! Sooooooo excited!! Now.. will work on getting the 2nd one done! GRRRR cat(2)_steam at the shelter who put her kittens down!
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

Momma was trapped within 10 minutes of setting trap!! Tested Negative for Feline Leukemia>>

I am so glad you took the time to learn. You saved her life. Thank you. I would image they gave her a distemper shot also. Pretty standard pratice. When they release her she may not come back to your grandma's for a while. They do that but most get over it and come back. I believe she was most likely a stray reverted to the wild state. True ferals that are born in the wild usually are a little harder to catch unless they are really hungry. Anyway tell grandma that is she doesn't see the cat for a while not to worry. She is just being a cat. Make sure she gets a good meal before she is released. For females if I can I try to keep them some where a day or two before I release them. Many don't. They do the surgery and release as soon as they wake up. However it is a major surgery for a female. A day or two of rest if they don't get to cagey never hurts.

Now if the shelter where the kittens were taken to would only educate themselves. They could make everyones life easier and save money. I doubt they even tested the kittens. It is a lie that most kill shelters use so they don't have to explain the real facts. TNR is the only way we are going to take the cat population down to managable levels so that most can lead good lives. Do write the shelter a letter that you took the kittens to. It may help them not put other kittens down in the future and help them try harder.


Thanks for caring. Now that she is fixed the boys will leave her alone. It will make her life so much more peaceful. She has a far better chance at some quality life!

For any one else that wants to learn about ferals this is a national organization for them. The website has wonderful education materials etc. . .
http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=191
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

Yuma AZ is starting to address the severe feral cat problem there and is
working with Alley Cat Allies, among others.

I'm so pissed off at the shelter that PTS those little baby kitties.

I would definitely write them a letter, and maybe even a letter to the newspaper
editor. (Probably were not FeLV positive....because that can't be determined so young...etc.)
Use some of what you learned here to educate the public about the feral cat problem and
so-called 'no-kill' shelters and their big fat lies.

They could have been up front with you...you could most likely have caught
the momma and the babies.

But you did the very best you could and I do not blame you; you worked with
what you had.

Bless you for doing what you can. That's all we can do.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

Use some of what you learned here to educate the public about the feral cat problem .>>

That is a good suggestion. Suzie's mom was my first feral that I tried to help many many years ago. Suzie is my cat that just died with the diabetes and many other issues. She is the one that brought me to these boards. My heart still broken but that is another story . .

Anyway, I was able to save the kittens but not Suzie's Mama. If I would have been more educated I think I could have saved Suzie's mom also. She and Suzie looked so much a like. I never forgot that my lack of knowledge probably costs her, her life. I have taken that though and I have tried the best I can to remember her through saving other ferals and educating people. So, here I am all these years later. One life was lost but hopefully I saved many others. Her life wasn't lost through my lack of caring just knowledge.

I am so glad Nicole tried. So grateful to her. It is the shelters fault the kittens are gone but as more people are educated more shelters like that will be changed. We sadly do need the kill shelters as there are just to many cats to deal with that have no homes. However that can change. Every person that is educated like Nicole has been means we are closer.

I am just sorry she was educated with almost a baptism of fire it seems. It has been a rough few days but one female cat has come out of it okay. If Nicole wouldn't have gotten involved it is highly likely the kittens would have died anyway and it a much harsher way. it is nature of the fittest out there. Mama would not be fixed and one more person wouldn't have been educated so everyone would have been much worse off. I hope that makes sense . . .

Give us an update then on Mama cat and thanks again.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

I am really trying here.. but it feels as if it is never enough.. just wanted to report the good news, Karen.. obviously I am steamed at the Shelter too & I think you Tracey.. for being kind & supportive while educating.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

Nicole & Baby said:
I am really trying here.. but it feels as if it is never enough.. just wanted to report the good news, Karen.. obviously I am steamed at the Shelter too & I think you Tracey.. for being kind & supportive while educating.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I feel I almost can't come here anymore. So many losses of our dear sweet
kitties, and too many of these type things that hurt us so badly.

But then I remember...if we don't do something, who will.

We have to just keep plugging along, saving the ones we can, mourning the ones we can't---
and beating the drum.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **Momma NEGATIVE & Spayed!!!

I have a friend who took a kitten in she just found.. how soon should she make her appointment to get the Feline Leukemia test? She has it for 8am in the morning, but in light of me learning an accurate test cannot be determined for months... what do I advise her to do?
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **One Last question

what do I advise her to do?>> Does she have other animals if so just tell her to take it to her vet. If not perhaps she can use her vet. If she takes it to a shelter that is not a non kill shelter it will be put to sleep. Let her know that. They won't tell her that but it will as you know.

The vet will know what to do. When I bring a new cat into the house I keep it in a separate room for a while. Usually a few weeks even after the vet says it is okay. Most kittens have a little something but wind up being healthy after a little care. If the kitten it has a cold or worms or something else it doesn't give it to my other cats. Believe it or not Feline Leukemia is relatively rare compared to other cat viruses. Here are some tips that Dr Fry put in our newsletter for this month since May is a big kitten month. This is for very small kittens but it may be helpful.


Fairchild ‘Feral Friends’ Foundation May Mews

Orphaned Kitten Care Tips

1. Keep them warm: Make a "nest" in a high-sided box, crate or pet carrier lined with soft blankets. An electric heating pad can be placed UNDER the nest covering only half of the area….the room should be kept at about 80 degrees for the first 5 weeks.

2. QUARANTINE: Kittens can carry Upper Respiratory Infection, Feline Leukemia and Parasites that can be dangerous or even deadly to other pets so it is best to isolate them until they are tested and deemed healthy by a vet.

3. Nutrition: Feed only commercial Kitten Formula such as KMR. Never feed cow’s milk to kittens. Make sure the formula is warmed to body temperature (95-100F) and the kitten is also warm before feeding. You may add a small amount of plain yogurt to the formula to help digestion. Feed every 2-3 hours. A kitten needs approximately 8 cc's of formula per ounce of body weight per day.

4. Weight: A kitten will typically weigh about 3 ounces at birth. Make sure to weigh the kittens daily to ensure they are gaining weight.

5. Elimination: Kittens must be stimulated to urinate and defecate for the first 3-4 weeks—do this before and after bottle feeding. Firmly rub the kitten’s anus and genital area with a warm wet washcloth or cotton ball until the baby urinates and defecates.

6. Weaning: Start offering a mixture of pureed canned kitten food with kitten formula at 4 weeks.

7. Litter Box: Place litter in a shallow pan at 4 weeks of age.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **One Last question

I am really trying here.. but it feels as if it is never enough..>>
We can only do it one at a time. One cat has a far better chance at a decent life now. That matters. Look at the cat that you helped and you can't tell me it doesn't matter. However you are correct it never feels like enought it is so over whelming. I have a thread over in the grief section I started that kind of relates to being over whelmed we all get that way. 't

I have picked up so many dead and dying cats off the streets I tell you what you did does matter. We can't rescue them all I wish we could. We can only live in the moment and go one by one and try to do our best. As more people understand TNR how it works etc it will take the cat population down so that all of them can led better lives. This will take a long time to happen. Society changes slowly. However we have to keep going we have to keep trying. We need to educate others. that is the best thing you can do now that you have a grasp on TNR and ferals.

I have made my fair share of mistakes. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing any good at all. We are human we get that way we have our down moments. I still feel guilt over Suzie's mom and Suzie also. She died a few weeks ago if I would have made different choices perhaps she would have had a little longer with her diabetes and all her other stuff. All I can say is the same thing that you have said I am really trying. That has to be enough because we can't do more.


For tryking I pat you on that back and say thank you because so many people don't try they just turn their back and walk away, again thank you for not doing that. Mama cat thanks you also. Now there is a kitten you can have so the other kittens will have a legacy. You wisdom now can help that kitten and it can go on and on for as long as you like then the kittens will go on.

I hope that helps.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **One Last question

PS I have a big antique show I am getting ready for this weekend so I won't be around much but please post how mama cat and the new kitten is doing. There are tons of other people here reading this that can and will help you also I am sure.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **One Last question

is a kitten you can have >

PS I meant to say there is a kitten you can help not have. Well I guess either would work ; )

Again Nicole I am glad you care so much never stop not matter how frustrating i t is. . . . I know how hard it can be. I have been having a hard time myself with ALL there is to do to help these poor creatures, it never seems to be enough yet we got to keep on going.
 
Re: Kittens - advice needed **One Last question

Nicole just checking in to see how Mama cat is? Did they bring her back and release her? Thanks, Tracey
 
Hi, Tracey! You are so sweet.. yes, momma cat was brought back & released.. shaved belly & clipped ear :-D
I have not seen her.. but will visit my grandmother today. Now.. working on getting the other one trapped! I hope you have a wonderful show this weekend!
 
Hi, Tracey! You are so sweet.. yes, momma cat was brought back & released.. shaved belly & clipped ear>>

You don't know how great this is to hear! : ) I pulled a muscle in my back etc. . . which made it a really long doay unloading the truck etc so this was just good to hear! I don't know how to pm so here is my e-mail address if you need any help in the future just e-mail me at stdor@aol.com

I just want to thank you again for taking your time to help the feral cats. I believe that your reward even if you don't know it will be great. With our pets we get rewards in purrs and kisses. Ferals well the reward is in the knowledge that you were a good person who took the time to care for them. I wish more would. Thanks again
 
Thank you so much! I appreciate all your guidance in this.. you were a blessing & full of very good information. More good news here.. the momma cat has now been named 'Button' by my Grandmother & the 2nd Feral kitty was trapped this morning.. ALSO tested Negative & was.. Spayed.. so she is a girl too! Will be released back to us tomorrow morning.. both will now be taken care of.. still working on a name for this 2nd one :-D

I am sorry to hear about your hurt back.. please take care of you & I hope you have an enjoyable weekend (((Tracey)))
 
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