Pregnant Feral Cat

animalcrazy

**PLEASE ONLY REPLY IF HAVE ALOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH FERALS**

There is this black & white feral cat that comes around our house one or twice a week to get fed. I wanted to get her neuteured last month after an old lady drowned her kittens but she went missing and has only started showing up again recently with a nice big belly full of kittens. She is about a month gone. I want to take her in around her last week of pregnancy, in about another four weeks. I am going to put her in our wooden shed, much less stressfull then a noisy house with six kids and a dog and much warmer then under a bush.

She is not at all tame though. When you get within a few feet she takes off, I have a way to catch her but I'm worried that it will all be too stressful and the kittens will either be born dead or she will eat them with stress, is this possible?

She also fights with my own two cats, they are, wait for it, outdoor cats :eek:, and no I can't start bringing inside as they have been outdoors all their life. I believe in keeping indoor cats indoors but they hate it so are outdoors, go crazy if kept inside.

So, I'm worried when they are born and I leave the shed door open, to stretch her legs, which I will have to do, that she will fight with my cats, run away, or try to move the kittens, is it possible she will go off and leave her kittens? Will my own cats do something to her kittens? I can supervise the kittens if she goes out for awhile against her moving them or my own going at them but can't stop her running away and not coming back.

I was told by someone else to get her an emergency spay but that isn't a possiblity as I have no money and never know when she is going to show up. I have dealt with tons of tame cats and kittens so know the basics on looking after mam & kittens.

I am, though, saving up for her to be spayed and released when they are grown up and rehomed to indoor homes only as I will tame them.

Any tips or advice from people who have dealt with feral cats & kittens and don't just think they know what to do would be appreciated, thank you.

philologos

animalcrazy wrote: »

I wanted to get her neuteured last month after an old lady drowned her kittens but she went missing and has only started showing up again recently with a nice big belly full of kittens.

What kind of heartless woman is she?

Secondly let nature work it's works why must you insist on getting it neutered if it isn't your cat?

boomerang

Trap her - that's the first thing - and then ring a vet to get her in for an emergency spay.

Let's look it at from a purely financial point of view.

You don't have the money to spay her. A spay would cost in the region of €70.

But if you let the pregnancy proceed, you could be talking about an outlay of hundreds of euro.

Best case scenario, the birth goes well, momma does not reject the kittens. You will need a very high quality food for mum and kittens. Royal Canin for example, which is about €20 per 2kg.

The kittens will need to be wormed at six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen and sixteen weeks old. Depending on the size of the litter, you might get away with one bottle of Parazole. Estimated cost - €5-€10.

The kittens cannot be rehomed any earlier than eight to nine weeks, and at that point, they need their first vaccination. Cost of bringing each kitten to a vet for first vax: approx €30 per kitten.

If you have not had any luck in finding indoor-only homes for the kittens at that point, then they need their booster vax at eleven weeks. That's another trip to the vets, and another approx. €30 per kitten. In my experience, it is a very difficult and slow process finding indoor-only homes. I have two beautiful twelve week old kittens here still waiting on indoor-only homes and they could be with me a while yet!

Now let's say the kittens are born unwell, or the mum has difficulty birthing. If you ring a vet out of hours (evenings/weekends) there's an out-of-hours fee of approx €60 plus the cost of medicines and treatment.

If the kittens develop cat flu for example, they will need a prolonged dose of antibiotics and also probably eye ointment. That'd easily be €50 in meds alone, and they'd need several trips to the vet for check ups.

If mum rejects the kittens, you'll have to hand-feed them every two hours. A carton of milk replacer is in the region of €30-€40.


Have you considered the possibility that being feral, this cat has a much higher chance of having FIV? In which case, there is every chance her kittens are also FIV positive and will therefore need indoor-only homes and a lifetime of close attention to their veterinary care. Let me tell you, it is no easy task to find the right homes for kittens with questionable FIV status. To test a cat for FIV and FeLV costs about €50.

I love cats, but personally I would trap her and spay her now. It's the humane thing to do. There's already more kittens being born in Ireland every year (an estimated 300,000) than can be placed in responsible, loving homes.

Why put the cat through all this stress, when you can spare her from it by acting now?

stevoman

Jakkass wrote: »

Secondly let nature work it's works why must you insist on getting it neutered if it isn't your cat?

are you crazy? she must be neutered for her sake and also the sake of other wildlife her offspring will be hunting.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Jakkass wrote: »

Secondly let nature work it's works why must you insist on getting it neutered if it isn't your cat?

What kind of irresponsible person are you to oppose spaying of feral cats? Have you any idea of the level of predation on wildlife in this country as a result of feral cats? I don't know any animal rescue or protection group that would oppose spaying of cats or dogs before re-homing.

boomerang

Not to mention the suffering of feral cats themselves, let's not forget that.

animalcrazy

Jakkass wrote: »

Secondly let nature work it's works why must you insist on getting it neutered if it isn't your cat?

I asked for only people who are experienced..and obviously you are not..go and educate yourself and then come back.

hadook

As someone who has experience with domestic, ex-domestic and feral cats - that's not a feral cat. A feral cat is one that you glimpse out of the corner of your eye in the middle of the night, not knowing if you really did see something move. Feral cats are quiet, hidden and very wary of humans. This cat is a stray and doesn't quite trust you but isn't feral.

She's not too late to spay. You were given plenty of numbers to call to see if someone could arrange help with this, have you tried contacting them now that the cat is back?

Keeping her in a shed (with the door open) will most likely result in one of the following:

i)her moving the kittens at the first opportunity
ii) the kittens being killed by one of your cats as you've brought a non resident cat in and left her and them to fend for themselves
iii) the kittens being abandoned or killed by the mother because of the huge amounts of stress that you're putting her under

and that's assuming that the stress of being confined in a small shed so close to your cats (which you've said she doesn't get on with) doesn't result in such a stressful pregnancy/delivery that she miscarries or has trouble giving birth.

Taking in an ex domestic cat and keeping her while she raises her kittens is a stressful time for the first few weeks for both the person and the cat. Ideally, if you go ahead with this, you'll need a large crate or similar sized pen/cage to keep her in so that you can keep her safe and yourself safe. Just keeping her in a shed is not a good idea IMO.

She'll be driven to find somewhere safe, warm and secure to have her kittens. Away from possible threats like other cats, humans etc. She'll feel vulnerable when she's that heavily pregnant and that will make her more wary.

animalcrazy

Thanks for that long post someone posted..lot's of really good info..but the thing is I don't have the money in my pocket right now..I have to save up to care for the kittens and get her spayed. I don't really have much choice but to let her have the kittens..I'll be able to offer a warm place, vet care and good food instead of under a bush or where they will be drowned and fed on scraps for bins..I have started to put aside money for when the little guys come along.

boomerang

Ok so what you're saying is, you don't have €70 now, but you'll have the much bigger sum you will need for mum and kittens, by the time the kittens come along?

You say you're saving up. If you're saving up, why not borrow the relatively small amount of money needed to spay the cat, and then pay that back later?

Your argument makes no sense unless you're not being strictly truthful, and you actually want this cat to go ahead and have a litter of kittens.

If that's the case, then you don't have this cat's best interests at heart.

kerrysgold

Maybe try contacting kittenadoption.ie Jan may have some advice for you. Good luck, that old woman must be a right evil witch to drown the poor kittens.

animalcrazy

Of course I have their best interests at heart..if I didn't then I wouldn't take them in...I'd prefer if she didn't have kittens..especially since they mightn't even be healthy...that's why I am leaving out really good food for the mother...you probably don't realise I'm fifteen lol...so that's why I don't have the money to do it right now and I am setting aside the money for spay and kittens..I know how to look after kittens and how they can cost alot..I found a sick kitten who had a really bad case of cat flu and most of his nose scratched off and he cost alot to fix up and now in a good home..that old woman is a cow..she said she would drown this cat too if she got her hands on her but I know she won't be able to catch her.. I'm doing jobs around the house and stuff to save up

animalcrazy

kerrysgold wrote: »

Maybe try contacting kittenadoption.ie Jan may have some advice for you. Good luck, that old woman must be a right evil witch to drown the poor kittens.

Thanks, will do, I know she is! :mad:

animalcrazy

:rolleyes:

hadook wrote: »

ii) the kittens being killed by one of your cats as you've brought a non resident cat in and left her and them to fend for themselves.

And no, my cats are not left to fend for themselves, they are pet cats like everyother cat. Just because they prefer to be outside doesn't mean they are left there and forgotten about. They are all spayed, fed, and played with. What am I supposed to do, keep them locked in the house and let them be unhappy? :rolleyes:

The_Conductor

animalcrazy wrote: »

:rolleyes:

And no, my cats are not left to fend for themselves, they are pet cats like everyother cat. Just because they prefer to be outside doesn't mean they are left there and forgotten about. They are all spayed, fed, and played with. What am I supposed to do, keep them locked in the house and let them be unhappy? :rolleyes:

Unfortunately it doesn't matter how well you take care of your cats. Cats are highly territorial- and will view the pregnant cat as a "stranger" to be fought off their territory. The fact that they are likely to attack the kittens is in no manner a reflection of the care you take of your cats- unfortunately its simply the way of the wild........

If you aren't able to afford to take charge of the pregnant cat- you really should try to trap her and bring her to one of the local Blue Cross Clinics. If you give them a ring on 01-416 3030 they can advise when they are in your area. Its a free service by fully qualified vets supported by the local council (and private donations) and is specifically to help people like yourself who might not be in a position to care financially for animals.

mary123

U posted about this on another forum and u were gave advise, which if i recalled u totally ignored. Why are u wasting peoples time again looking for the same info.

Sigma Force

Try and borrow a humane cat trap, contact blue cross and see if they will do an emergency spay even if you have to have her spayed and re release her at least that will be one less cat having kittens. There are also rescues that will help with trap neuter return.

If after she is spayed you have somewhere safe for her to go then all well and good. If you have an empty shed then perhaps putting another temporary door on it so when you go into her you can close one door to prevent escape.

You would be better off phoning up and asking directly the people who may be able to help.

If the blue cross can do an early spay then when you do have the money you can always make a donation to them at a later date.

animalcrazy

I am not wasting people's time..I am not looking for numbers...I am looking for tips from people who have dealt with looking after strayn cats and their kittens please...I don't have the money for an emergency spay so that is not an option..I don't want your advice if you don't know anything about feral cats and their kittens please..thank you.

animalcrazy

By the way where exactly is the blue cross..I'm in Clare.

The_Conductor

animalcrazy wrote: »

By the way where exactly is the blue cross..I'm in Clare.

Bluecross are based in Dublin and run a series of mobile clinics for pet owners who cannot afford to attend a regular vet (its staffed by fully qualified volunteer vets etc). I didn't know you are in Clare- sorry. They do have a few useful booklets which they happily send people free of charge- 2 of them in particular might be of interest to you- one entitled "Your adopted cat" another called "looking after kittens".

If you click on this link you can order the booklets (they're free).

mary123

animalcrazy wrote: »

I am not wasting people's time..I am not looking for numbers...I am looking for tips from people who have dealt with looking after strayn cats and their kittens please...I don't have the money for an emergency spay so that is not an option..I don't want your advice if you don't know anything about feral cats and their kittens please..thank you.

If i remember rightly last time when u asked this very same question people gave u very good advise. On how to catch the cat, lending u trap, people were going to help u pay for the spay, Im not giving u advise but other people who has had lots of experince with feral cats did, all im saying is why are u asking all this again when u were already given this advise.

animalcrazy

Thanks for that..the information booklets aren't much good to me though..I have looked after eleven (or more) kittens already .. Just want tips on how to deal with a feral mammy cat! Thank you though.. good info!

animalcrazy

I wasn't given advice on looking after a semi-feral cat and her kittens though...just on trapping and spaying... I'm looking for tips off people on how to deal with her when the kittens are born.

mary123

animalcrazy wrote: »

I wasn't given advice on looking after a semi-feral cat and her kittens though...just on trapping and spaying... I'm looking for tips off people on how to deal with her when the kittens are born.

Oh right sorry. If u could get the money together would u get her spayed.

The_Conductor

animalcrazy wrote: »

I wasn't given advice on looking after a semi-feral cat and her kittens though...just on trapping and spaying... I'm looking for tips off people on how to deal with her.

Cats, even "tame" cats, are highly territorial in nature. If you are insistent on keeping the stray and taking charge of her and her kittens- you will need somewhere to keep her away from your other cats. They will view the new cat as intruding on their territory and are quite liable to attack her and her kittens.

The big problem with the stray cat is she has probably been badly treated by humans in the past- which is why she is probably skittish around people. You can't build trust over night with any animal- its a process that takes time and effort.

You need to get a quiet secluded place for the cat where she can comfortable without the other cats annoying her. As suggested by another poster- possibly putting some sort of cat-flap on the shed might be a possibility. If you get her used to eating there- she will probably be quite happy to view it as her domain. You will have to try to figure how to exclude the other cats- so they don't attack the kittens when they are born.

Its not easy- I have seen similar happen previously where the kittens were killed (and ultimately eaten by the mother), sometimes there simply isn't a lot you can do in a situation like that- I know its hard, but its nature taking its course......

animalcrazy

mary123 wrote: »

Oh right sorry. If u could get the money together would u get her spayed.

It's ok..I'd have to think about it as I don't feel right doing it..I know they will cost alot when they arrived, need worming,vaccines,could be ill etc.. I feel bad taking money for people too, especially when they have their own rescues to look after and their own pets..she will be spayed though before she goes..I saw her two days ago..she comes eats, and goes.. I have ten euro put aside..whoop whoop! big start! :rolleyes: On the coming weeks I'll have more and my parents said they will help..a bit! She is only semi-feral, like I know she has never been indoors but she has started miaowing at me, which is a good sign...I try to sit with her while she is eating so she can get used to me and I'll give her loads of places to hide when in the shed..lots of dark boxes etc.

animalcrazy

smccarrick wrote: »

You can't build trust over night with any animal- its a process that takes time and effort.

I am making progress with her though..before she would run when she saw me..now she let's me get within a few feet of her and recently has started miaowing at me..this has taken a few months..I usually sit by her while she is eating..I'm pretty patient with animals so I understand it takes time.

mary123

animalcrazy wrote: »

It's ok..I'd have to think about it as I don't feel right doing it..I know they will cost alot when they arrived, need worming,vaccines,could be ill etc.. I feel bad taking money for people too, especially when they have their own rescues to look after and their own pets..she will be spayed though before she goes..I saw her two days ago..she comes eats, and goes.. I have ten euro put aside..whoop whoop! big start! :rolleyes: On the coming weeks I'll have more and my parents said they will help..a bit! She is only semi-feral, like I know she has never been indoors but she has started miaowing at me, which is a good sign...I try to sit with her while she is eating so she can get used to me and I'll give her loads of places to hide when in the shed..lots of dark boxes etc.

I know u mean well but if u cant afford 60-80e for the spay how are u going to afford all the rest of the money u need for the kittens and the spay u say u will get done on mummy eventually. Also who says u will be able to look after the kittens
she could have them absolutely anywhere. How far preggars does she look? Might be to far gone anyway.

LegacyUser

animalcrazy wrote: »

I wasn't given advice on looking after a semi-feral cat and her kittens though...just on trapping and spaying... I'm looking for tips off people on how to deal with her when the kittens are born.

mary123, I'm agreeing with you 100%.

Sounds like you have made up your mind to go ahead, and it has nothing to do with affordability of a spaying. Others have already offered to help with that and indeed most vets will drop the price considerably for spaying a stray.

I don't understand, you asked for expert advice, Hadook and others recommend you do not go ahead with housing the cat and offspring in your shed.You have already said that you would have to "save up" to afford a spaying alone which means you couldn't afford to provide for the kittens.

We went through a similar situation, a sray pregnant female in the back garden with a badly damaged eye which we had to bring to the vet. The eye was removed and we had to keep her indoors for 10 days to ensure we could get her back to get the stitches removed. We spoke with the vet about the situation. We made a concious decision to keep the cat from that day forward and to find homes for her kittens.We knew it would cost considerably, but we could afford.

We brought the mother cat indoors and gave her a secure room with a litter tray. She was not disturbed and the room was hers. We were prepared with a vet nearby, and money in the bank to pay for the vet if we needed to!! Little Polly took to that room like a duck to water and she snuggled up in the little crate we put in there for her. She is an adoreable cat, chocolate brown with some marmalade. I still have the Polly and one of the kittens, both are doing very well.
The other kitten was wormed, flea-ed and vaxed and found a wonderful home.
Unless you intend to provide for the cat then forget it. What do you intend to do with her after she has the kittens?? Let them all run amuk and interbreed? If you cannot afford spaying one cat, then don't make the wrong decision!! There are plenty of people out there that can help you.
I wouldn't take on this situation without some professional advise.

mary123

Animalcrazy is very young and i really dont think it matters what advise she is giving she has got this idea in her head that she wants to mind these lovely little kittens. Not matter what she is been told about what is best she cant see past the romantic idea of looking after and babing these kittens.

houndsoflove

Have you tried contacting the Limerick Animal Welfare or Clare Animal Welfare? They might be able to help. You can also get a discount from your local ispca where they will pay half for spaying.

I have a 10 cats all spayed and neutered. Their mammy was wild and pregnant when i decided to finally try and get her spayed. I got a sedative tablet from the vet and put it in her food, this made her drowsey and it took me 2 hours to get her into the cage. She was in doors aswell.

Now she is part of the 10 cats and is tame and happy in herself.

Sigma Force

Well the other alternative is working out a payment plan with the vet. If it were me I would have her spayed now. Usual litter can be anything from 3 to 5 kittens but for all you know she could have 7 or 8 so please think seriously about having an early spay.

If you cannot deal with this cat then contact a rescue in your area and ask could they take the cat if you trap it. You can always donate to them later when you can afford it.

If you cannot afford a spay now how are you going to afford vaccinating and health checking etc (if you can catch them) a number of kittens as well.
I'm afraid there is no easy way to solve the problem you are having.

If you want to be involved with animal work esp rescue animal work you will have to come to terms with some of the difficult choices you will have to make. It's never easy rescue work wether on a small or large scale isn't easy.

Not having a go just speaking from experience I have in the past from a very young age (younger than you are now) dealt with these kind of issues and it's not easy esp. if you have little money and limited transport. So do take the help offered to you and meet people half way.

hadook

animalcrazy wrote: »

:rolleyes:

And no, my cats are not left to fend for themselves, they are pet cats like everyother cat. Just because they prefer to be outside doesn't mean they are left there and forgotten about. They are all spayed, fed, and played with. What am I supposed to do, keep them locked in the house and let them be unhappy? :rolleyes:

If you leave the shed door open (to let "the mother stretch her legs") then you are leaving them to fend for themselves.

In this proposed situation you are leaving your cats free outside and leaving the door to the shed in which you intend this ex domestic cat to have her kittens wide open. You are not being responsible for your actions in this situation.
If you take in the cat, you detain the cat, you force the cat to have her kittens in a place of your choosing and then you leave the door open with your other cats wandering free.

The point that I'm making is that the cats in this situation - both your own and this stray - have no choice. You have taken it away. Once you take control you are responsible for their safety. And you can't just leave a door open - you're responsible for them until they're weaned.

animalcrazy wrote: »

I am not wasting people's time..I am not looking for numbers...I am looking for tips from people who have dealt with looking after strayn cats and their kittens please...I don't have the money for an emergency spay so that is not an option..I don't want your advice if you don't know anything about feral cats and their kittens please..thank you.

I have dealt with stray cats and kittens. I've fostered for different rescues, I've taken in and rehomed strays, waifs and cats that no one else wants. I have a cat with no eyes - her previous owner thought it was ok to let them breed and couldn't afford the vet care. A simple case of untreated cat flu has left Lily with no eyes. I have a cat with one eye - thrown in a bin at 5 weeks by her teenage "owners". Cat flu & complications meant that I had to provide 24 hour care for the first week and Mao still lost an eye despite our best efforts. I've had FIV+ cats. I've had FeLV cats. I've had elderly cats here in respite situations. I've got ex domestic strays and true ferals living outside on my property. I've caught ringworm. I've had to think about things like worming the people in this household as a preventative measure. I've been bitten by fleas. I've been bitten by the cats too :rolleyes:

I am not a cat rescue. I am a private individual who happens to like cats and who also fosters for cat rescues. I fund all of that out of my pocket (some of the rescues I've fostered for have offered to pay the bills but I've always preferred to do it myself as my contribution to their sterling work) and I work hard to make sure that I can afford to fund any choice I make.

Now that you understand some of my credentials -I have given you advice, both here and on Irishanimals. I really cannot stress how important it is that you contact the rescue and welfare people you've been given the numbers of. You need to do the sensible thing here and have this cat neutered NOW.

animalcrazy

I understand totally where you are all coming from..believe me I appreciate all the advice..I'll have a chat with my parents tomorrow and see what they want to do..I'll explain all the things you said and how there might be a way to get half the spay off..they wanted me to work and do jobs around the house to pay for the care of the kittens and her spay to teach me the value of money :rolleyes:.. in the end it all boils down to them.

I wouldn't like to give her to a shelter, too noisy and upsetting for her when I can deal with her well here. If it comes down to it that she has the kittens, I wasn't just going to leave the shed door open, I was going to let her go out while I supervise and it would be the chance to handle the kittens..and no they won't run amuk and interbreed :rolleyes:..I'll only give them to indoor or at least semi-indoor homes.

Again, my cats are not left to fend for themselves, they don't want nor like to be inside, they come in for a few hours and then miaow at the door to be let out..they have been like this since we took them in and are all fed, spayed, vaccinated, and have clean, shiny coats and bright eyes..not what I call left to fend for themselves..we don't make them catch their own dinner or sleep under bushes.

I wanted to get her spayed but my parents said that you can't and no vet will do it, but I'll explain that they can and all the other advice you all gave me and see what they say.

meptastic

And as Mary has pointed out over and again, myself and another individual on another site between us offered you enough funds to get the spay done if you took up CAW's offer to have her done under their auspices, and therefore at their rescue rate. Your erratic and often offensive postings on the aforementioned site would make no difference to my offer to send that money to this vet to help that kitty.

So I am also convinced that you want these kittens born. Please get yourself out of your fluffy fairyland, and listen to Hadook's posts! She did not invent Lily and Mao!! They are living every day with the consequences of this kind of naivety, and the fact that they have excellent quality of life is a tribute to Hadook's care and dedication, and nothing else.

Hadooks do not come along every day you know, and there are only so many kitties that can fit in their homes, so there is NO replacement for prevention in cases like this. You wanted very experienced opinions, well there are few more so than Hadook, so you can trust her assessment of what is likely to happen in the scenario you are proposing.

So take the help that has been offered, get her trapped and emergency spayed, or else just stop telling us all how dedicated you are to animal welfare. Ok, you are 15, and whatever you say you are inexperienced, so please just pay some attention to the advice you asked for and stop saying how it is no use for all kinds of fabricated reasons.

Fact is, you could get her neutered now, you have been offered the means to do it on all sides. So just come out and admit you just don't want to. It is tiresome watching you close your ears to what you don't want to hear, and pretend you want the very best for her, but are oh, so helpless

ETA: ok, posted across you there, let's hope you will do it so.

animalcrazy

Read last post
I haven't been in the world of rescue as long as any of you, and don't automatically know what to do in every situation, I know alot more then most the people my age, ask my friends anything about animal welfare and all you'll get is this even my parents all you'll get is this ..I am learning bit by bit..you have to realise that my parents are the ones who say ''don't take money from those strangers on the internet'' and ''don't ring them, they won't want to know'', ''the vet won't spay her when she is that pregnant'', ''if you want to get her spayed you'' have to earn the money yourself''.

animalcrazy

Oh, and here is a pic of her.

BlackCat2008

I've read all of this post and I have to say calm down and remember you are talking to an experienced young girl, please remember hormones and emotions play a big part at this age. I started rescuing when I was 13yrs old and like you's all I knew nothing and had to start from scratch. I work every day and hour to pay for the animals I rescue I'm already about 6k in since the start of the year, and remember the clan, if you weren't part of the rich wifes club or family or friends to those who run a lot of these groups you got no help what so ever, you couldn't even volunteer in this country at one stage if you weren't somebodies sister or cousin. So lets not hand this same road to someone who will be just like us in the future.

Animalcrazy I will help you as much as possible tomorrow as I've just had a long day and need sleep.

But to start with please do not feed her any liver whats so ever or any type of shell fish.

All dough some of those words written are harsh it's only because everyone is working so hard to keep going and get the massage across that spaying is needed, they are giving you good advise so please don't ignore it and I will try to help you soon. Just very sleepy right now.

animalcrazy

I understand spaying is important and that these people know what they are talking about..I want to get her spayed now but I don't think my parents will let me..if not then she will be spayed after.. I'm going to try and convince my parents tomorrow though..I'm writing an essay on why she should be spayed now and things

I understand where my parents are coming from too though by making me save up..we are not a rich family..the celtic tiger seems to have passed us out lol..we are on a few different welfares and such so my parents don't have the money to dish out and won't take money or donations from strangers.

hadook

Perhaps you should tell your parents that we're not doing this to help you or them. We do things like this for the cat and the unborn kittens (both hers and the kittens her kittens could have).

maryoshea

It will only cost you with the help of the ispca €30 -€35. Your parents won'y listen now but when you find yourselves with 6 or more adults cats running around the place and the neighbours complaining then you will have a problem.

bigpinkelephant

animalcrazy wrote: »

If it comes down to it that she has the kittens, I wasn't just going to leave the shed door open, I was going to let her go out while I supervise and it would be the chance to handle the kittens...

This is ridiculous- you CANNOT handle kittens unless the mother is OK with it. If she comes back to find you have been handling her kittens against her wishes she could reject them. Then you will be hand feeding them expensive formula every 2-3 hours. I have been there. It is no fun.

And as for your parents wanting the cat to have the kittens and for you to save up for the spay to "teach you the value of money"- that is ridiculous. We are talking about animal's lives here.

lily4

Animalcrazy

You need to be realistic here . You are 15 and will be going back to school in 5 weeks time. The kittens are due in a month.
Who will mind them when you're at school?
You have nowhere secure to keep both Mum and kittens... ie your shed is not secure enough, you also have two cats and a dog, who are all a threat to the kittens

How are you going to find indoor only homes and do homechecks. You can't drive and don't have a phone

Why are you doing this ?

Why are you not following advice given by people with oodles of experience with ferlas, why not contact a rescue that operate a TNR policy?

What are you getting from letting this cat have the kittens, 2-3 weeks of trying to look after them ( if you can find them ) , then where will they end up ?

boomerang

BlackCat2008 wrote: »

I've read all of this post and I have to say calm down and remember you are talking to an experienced young girl, please remember hormones and emotions play a big part at this age.

Most of the people who have responded to the OP are aware of the above, and if there is a mood of impatience, it is because the OP already asked for advice on two other boards, and ignored the good advice given there also.

mary123

At the end of the day this is not Animalcrazy cat. Is there anyone that could trap the cat and get her spayed. If not in a few weeks times we are going to get more posts looking for help with these kittens which will be ignored as well.

Sigma Force

Can understand your parents being wary and they should be.
How about giving your parents the phone numbers you have been given and have them phone perhaps give them a number you have for someone to just simply collect the cat and take it into rescue.

That would take the cat and kittens out of your way and someone else who has the money etc to have her spayed etc.

Time is getting every day there is new posts but this really could be cleared up so quickly and you are very lucky to be offered so much help. As rescues and other involved with rescue work are very busy, have limited funds and cannot always offer this kind of help. So just take it.
Honestly this has gone on long enough going round in circles these posts while everyone is posting the cat becoming bigger and bigger.

animalcrazy

I won't be posting on how to look after kittens..I have cared for at least 11 kittens before..most taken off the road..that's a good idea guineapigrescue..not too sure CAW will be able to help when they are turning away cats..gave their number to a woman how wanted to get rid of her neuteured male cat and she was turned away..funds must be low..will try anyway..hope my parents will ring!!..they are soo difficult :mad:

BlackCat2008

boomerang wrote: »

Most of the people who have responded to the OP are aware of the above, and if there is a mood of impatience, it is because the OP already asked for advice on two other boards, and ignored the good advice given there also.

I do understand what you's are trying to get through to her but when I was her age I couldn't bare to think of aborting kittens. I only do it now depending on how far along the cat is or other medical reasons I'm tired of telling people to neuter and sometimes feel like I may as well bang my head against a wall. I don't know any of her other posts but sounds to me like a teenager, who wants to be involved in the world of animals she's just not old enough to work or take control of the situations.

I stopped in the middle of a main road in Wexford earlier to take a 8-9 week old kitten of it, it ran into a field and while I was searching it two teenage girls stopped and asked if the could help I informed them that it was a kitten I was looking for and they shrugged their shoulders at me and said, a sure there's loads of them around here your bound to find one and said good luck and walked on, into the farmers house, sick of hearing let nature take it's course as well.

At leased she's looking for help she may have to learn the hard way but at leasted she'll learn with help from those of us with more experience.
I agree with neutering her now if possible or giving her to a rescue. If it's not possible then she has a lot of hard work ahead of her and will need help to get through it. Unlike the girls I met earlier we have a chance to teach the next generation.

Oh and I caught the kitten she's a real beaut. She's no.12 on the list looking for a home.

How are things going with your parents ?

I'm glad to hear you rescue kittens and good on you for doing it but taking mammy and babies under your wing may not be so easy, if anything happens mammy during the delievery taking care of new borns is a very demanding and time consumming job and lots can go wrong even old hands at this will tell you it isnt always plain sailing. If she is going to stay with you and have the kittens I'll help you to do so but I still think you need to try and get her to a rescue.

Your education should come first and sleepless nights wont help I wish I could turn back the clock and study harder to become a vet but by your age I was already working to pay the vet. Not only will you have to study up for the delievery but on hand rearing as well and to teach some one else to do it while your at school. You will see mammy again when she is neutered and released even if she has her kittens at a rescue you can ask for her to be released back at your place so you can keep an eye on her and most rescue's like to know someone is looking out for them so it shoulden't be a problem.

maryoshea

www.limerickanimalwelfare.com send them an email and explain your story.

cotton

I cannot believe I'm reading this.......again.

You were offered very good advice & funds from experienced people over on Irishanimals & you chose to ignore it. Mabey you will listen to the same advice here.

Ok, so now you are on here, asking for advice people who have dealt with feral cats & kittens and don't just think they know what to do.

I've trapped & neutered over 100 cats, 70 being from one colony since december. I've had pregnant cats give birth in my house that have been too far gone to spay, have had many, many kittens come in & out of my home, have been fostering young/old/healthy/decrepid cats for years, you get the drift.
I'm dealing with abandoned cats & kittens on a daily basis. It's a constant battle to try to find spaces & money for them.
I've seen the cruelty that people bestow on cats. Cats in bottlebanks, cats being drowned, burnt, used as footballs etc.

I must have had a fair idea of what I was doing as one of the most experienced cat people in the country asked me to take over their rescue due to ill health.

So, now you know that I know what I'm talking about, please please listen for once & for all & get the cat spayed.

300,000 kittens will be born in Ireland this year, two fifths will die within the first week of life & a third more will die before 4 months of age
That is 180,000 kittens dying within 4 months of birth in Ireland this year alone. Please don't bring anymore into the world if it's not absolutely unavoidable.

Edited to add: If your parents want to discuss this, please don't hesitate to contact us on www.kittenadoption.org

animalcrazy

Sorry haven't replied it has been a stressful few days. Anywho, the cat is at the vet as we speak. After all my winging and moaning at my parents they finally agreed to get her spayed. She gave such a fight I hope they can handle her at the vets. We have a cosy spot ready for her in the shed when she comes back and then she can be realeased again.

I know it was the right thing to do but I can't help having this awful guilt, I killed her kittens, I feel awful but I suppose it is something I have to get used to if I want to help in future. Well it's done now and that's that finished.

My parents are broke now for the week. I couldn't accept funds from anyone because my parents wouldn't let me.