5 kittens living in my backyard…advice needed

CeleryStalks

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
22
Purraise
26
Hi,
I have 5 kittens who are living in my backyard. (The mother cat died)
I have been feeding them and just yesterday was able to trap two and they are safe inside a large cage now, (3 more to go) however, our resident cat hisses, vocalizes and is clearly uncomfortable with them in the house. ( I can’t place them in a separate room but they are safe inside the cage with a litter box, food, shelter and a hammock)

I might be able to keep one, but definitely not all of them. dependent on how our resident cat can adjust, which my wife thinks it’s not likely

every rescue I contacted told me they can’t take them.

I do not want to bring them to the city shelter, since it’s a kill shelter.

is there something like the pilots n paws program for dogs that is available for cats?

Thank you in advance for your help!
 

Tobermory

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
Messages
9,137
Purraise
25,925
Location
Pacific NW
Are you familiar with Nextdoor (Nextdoor.com)? You might be able to find homes for them by putting a message there. And there’s always Facebook although I’ve never had any luck with that. Poor little ones. Thank you for taking care of them.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

CeleryStalks

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
22
Purraise
26
Are you familiar with Nextdoor (Nextdoor.com)? You might be able to find homes for them by putting a message there. And there’s always Facebook although I’ve never had any luck with that. Poor little ones. Thank you for taking care of them.
yes I am, but am hesitant to give away a cat to a stranger with a possibly nefarious intention.
 

fionasmom

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
13,125
Purraise
17,355
Location
Los Angeles
If you do use something like Nextdoor or social media, you don't have to just hand the kittens over. We always recommend that you ask for some compensation for the care that you have given them, a move which usually discourages those who don't want to pay because they intend harm for the kittens. There are adoption contracts online that can be used or adapted. While there is debate over how enforceable they are, they can be very helpful in discouraging those who don't want to complete one...again, for the wrong reasons.

When I worked dog rescue, we did enforce our contracts more than once, so I am not saying that they can't be enforced under the right circumstances.

Pilots N Paws does fly cats, as I understand it. A friend used them to get a dog from FL to ME, but I had thought that you needed a destination planned for the animal.

Thank you for helping these kittens.
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,271
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
Now that I think about it, Greater Good has been supporting pilots who fly animals--can't think of it but you could likely research it. I don't know the current situation however.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

CeleryStalks

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
22
Purraise
26
Thank you all for the information, I will look into the options you suggested
 

dahlia

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
396
Purraise
299
Thank you for taking care of these kittens. I hope you catch the remaining ones soon. I have never dealt with resident cats and new kittens but I have a friend who does a lot of fostering. She has 8 resident cats and has taken in numerous kittens to foster. The other cats may hiss a bit at the kittens initially but they adjust quickly. Older cats are generally pretty tolerant of kittens.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

CeleryStalks

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 25, 2019
Messages
22
Purraise
26
I have spoken to a rescue group, who could not take them, but advised me to be wary of sanctuaries as they are hit or miss (mostly miss) with the treatment of animals they take in. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but this person said they are few and far between. Was told there are also people who would rehome them for a fee and simply release the animal in the next city or state.
 

fionasmom

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 21, 2014
Messages
13,125
Purraise
17,355
Location
Los Angeles
There are decent sanctuaries, but often when the HSUS or ASPCA does one of their raids it is to one of the so called "sanctuaries." It can be a lot of work, but doing some networking will allow you to have more control over what happens to them.
 
Top