Feral mama cat and her kittens vanished

SJ70

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I've been taking care of feral mama cat and her 3 kittens. Got them all fixed, vaccinated and microchipped as well.
I had them since last week of March and yesterday neither mom or kittens showed up for food.it’s like they vanished all the sudden.
I checked with my neighbors, looked around called her name “LuLu” but no luck. I live in suburb (the valley) and I didn’t hear or see anything that could indicate that coyotes got them or car hit them. I’m so heartbroken and I still keep looking at my front yard hoping to see them playing on the grass and enjoying the sun. somehow I feel that they’re ok and maybe they felt scared or threatened and left the area ………
Can help but keep thinking of them and praying for their safety 😿
 

Margot Lane

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Are there any cat rescue groups in the area that might not have checked the chip yet? Keep trying—- sometimes Mom will hide or move the little ones ‘til she feels safe. How long have they been absent? Do you own any animal cams?
 

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All good advice by Margot Lane Margot Lane Also, I had a mom and kittens do the same thing. They were in hiding. I never found out what scared them but mom hid her babies and then , apparently, lured the threat away. I found the kittens in a couple of weeks and the mom weeks later. All okay. Cats are smart and masters at hiding. Check local vets too. People like you who see cats running outside and scared might rescue them and be looking for you! Put up “Lost kitty” signs with a phone number in the local vets and post office. Call shelters and local animal control as well but I am betting they are near. Look under everything, inside everything and on top of everything. I had one mom hide right above my head. On the roof! Don’t give up. Please keep us updated and keep up you routine of whatever you were doing for them. You might check for them early in the morning just as daylight is breaking and very late at night when the whole world is quiet. If they know the sound of cans opening of bags of dry food being shaken, do that. Keep calling them and don’t stop. Let them know you are still there.
 
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SJ70

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Thank you for your quick and I feel great to talk caring cat and animal lovers and I’m sorry for my late reply.
Good news, Lulu the mom came in this afternoon and looked really hungry, She ate and came back now again (midnight pacific time) for more food. no kittens yet. She’s looked scared I’ll keep an eye and will keep looking for her babies.
Thank you so much again 🐾❤
 
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SJ70

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Are there any cat rescue groups in the area that might not have checked the chip yet? Keep trying—- sometimes Mom will hide or move the little ones ‘til she feels safe. How long have they been absent? Do you own any animal cams?
Margot, two days now but the mom showed up this afternoon all alone and hungry, ate then came back tonight for more food.
i’m working with kitten rescue group and the lady is very helpful. Crossing my fingers kittens show up soon.
 
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SJ70

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All good advice by Margot Lane Margot Lane Also, I had a mom and kittens do the same thing. They were in hiding. I never found out what scared them but mom hid her babies and then , apparently, lured the threat away. I found the kittens in a couple of weeks and the mom weeks later. All okay. Cats are smart and masters at hiding. Check local vets too. People like you who see cats running outside and scared might rescue them and be looking for you! Put up “Lost kitty” signs with a phone number in the local vets and post office. Call shelters and local animal control as well but I am betting they are near. Look under everything, inside everything and on top of everything. I had one mom hide right above my head. On the roof! Don’t give up. Please keep us updated and keep up you routine of whatever you were doing for them. You might check for them early in the morning just as daylight is breaking and very late at night when the whole world is quiet. If they know the sound of cans opening of bags of dry food being shaken, do that. Keep calling them and don’t stop. Let them know you are still there.
 
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SJ70

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Thank you Jcatbird for sharing your experience and your advice. So happy mom & kittens are safe & thanks for sharing these cute photos ❤❤❤
Lulu ”mom” came in today this afternoon and just few minutes ago for food. She looked scared and cautious while eating. Something must scared her and she hid her babies. You’re absolutely right “cats are smart and masters at hiding“
I will never give up on them and I’ll keep looking. I already posted on NextDoor and spoke directly to my neighbors.
ill Keep you posted. Thank you 🙏🏼 ❤
 
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SJ70

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One last thing, I hope I’m making sense with my replies. Just super tired and already past midnight.
good night 😽
 
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SJ70

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Lulu came this morning to eat, now I’m convinced, she’s hiding her kittens.
I’ll keep you all updated. Thanks for your support and kindness You’re true hero t9 cats ❤❤❤
 

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Maybe the next time she stops by for a meal, you could try following her quietly and at a distance to see if she leads you to the kittens. That worked for me several years ago. The mama had taken the kittens a few streets away to an abandoned shed where I saw them playing. Good luck!
 
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SJ70

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Maybe the next time she stops by for a meal, you could try following her quietly and at a distance to see if she leads you to the kittens. That worked for me several years ago. The mama had taken the kittens a few streets away to an abandoned shed where I saw them playing. Good luck!

i did last night but lost her… too dark. I need to track her during the day.
thanks Avery ❤
 

Jcatbird

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At night, a flashlight that is bright can be used to spot kitty eyes. Their eyes really reflect, practically glowing in true darkness. I often used that to find where ferals were hiding out. When the ferals felt safe at night they would come out and follow me sometimes. Remember that cats can go into small openings. Also places like ditch culverts and under storage sheds. I had an older , previously feral get out due to someone opening a door they should never have entered. It took three months for me to find her. She was squeezing under a storage building in a space where I never thought she would fit! I have seen grown cats get into walls via a cut out around plumbing pipes. They know how to hide better than any creature I can name. Often they were right under my nose and I just didn’t know it. They usually try to stay near a food source so, just keep doing what you are doing. If mom cat is not spayed and is coming back into heat, they may be hiding from male cat coming around. Watch for other cats and use your nose too. If you smell cat spray, mom is near and has a boyfriend around. Dad cats can be protective of their young too. During the day birds can also alert you to the presence of a cat. Blue Jays, are especially good at pointing out a cat. Lots of yelling and flitting in branches above. Many types of birds are apt to call out a cat alarm to other birds. Going outside and just listening can help pinpoint a hiding spot. Something I call cat hills are a clue too. Wherever the cats go potty. Hard to spot maybe but look for scratch marks in soil or leaves.They will not go potty where they eat or sleep but it won’t be terribly far if they are scared to come out for long.
 
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SJ70

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At night, a flashlight that is bright can be used to spot kitty eyes. Their eyes really reflect, practically glowing in true darkness. I often used that to find where ferals were hiding out. When the ferals felt safe at night they would come out and follow me sometimes. Remember that cats can go into small openings. Also places like ditch culverts and under storage sheds. I had an older , previously feral get out due to someone opening a door they should never have entered. It took three months for me to find her. She was squeezing under a storage building in a space where I never thought she would fit! I have seen grown cats get into walls via a cut out around plumbing pipes. They know how to hide better than any creature I can name. Often they were right under my nose and I just didn’t know it. They usually try to stay near a food source so, just keep doing what you are doing. If mom cat is not spayed and is coming back into heat, they may be hiding from male cat coming around. Watch for other cats and use your nose too. If you smell cat spray, mom is near and has a boyfriend around. Dad cats can be protective of their young too. During the day birds can also alert you to the presence of a cat. Blue Jays, are especially good at pointing out a cat. Lots of yelling and flitting in branches above. Many types of birds are apt to call out a cat alarm to other birds. Going outside and just listening can help pinpoint a hiding spot. Something I call cat hills are a clue too. Wherever the cats go potty. Hard to spot maybe but look for scratch marks in soil or leaves.They will not go potty where they eat or sleep but it won’t be terribly far if they are scared to come out for long.
Thank you Jcatbird for taking time to explain and share your knowledge ❤❤❤
You‘re awesome mom to kitties 🐾
 
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SJ70

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Hello everyone, an update, momma cat “Lulu” showed up this morning with one of her kittens. I am soooo happy. I’m hoping and praying the other two will show up too. The kitten who showed up this morning is super attached to her mom. I wonder if the other two decided to go venture on their own and leave their mom. They should be about 10-12 weeks old. I would think they’re old enough to leave mom? I’m not sure though. I spoke to neighbors and also posted on NextDoor app. Keeping my fingers crossed they’re all safe 🙏🏼🤲🏼
Thanks gain everybody 🐾❤🐾
 
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