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- Jul 30, 2012
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So my story begins early February...
I have a large forest near my apartment complex where many animals live. Unfortunately, living in a college town means that pets are mistreated, abandoned, or worse. In my city of Kalamazoo, MI where we have two (legit) animal rescues, the humane society, the SPCA, and an animal shelter... the pet population is immense. It's a sad thing to see so many (roughly) 1-year old cats come into these places, without ever receiving medical attention or being altered.
But I digress...early january, 3 young orange cats suddenly appeared in these woods. Other residents had taken notice, as "make-shift" food bowls were near the dumpsters. That's when I decided I'd help these cats. I began to scout them out. I'd leave canned food out, treats, and other goodies hoping to entice them. Yet after a few weeks, they weren't any more friendly. This is when I learned the term "feral cat" and became knowledgeable about TNR practices. So with my new found information, I decided to get involved. I started volunteering at the animal rescues and was able to borrow live cat traps. At the humane society here in town, every thursday is "Feral Cat" day. Where they spay/neuter feral cats completely free of charge (the hard part was being there so darn early!). Three neutered orange cats and a visit to a feral cat colony later....
I found myself in an unusually warm March. There was a cat I had been watching. She was new to the area and I took an interest in her bulging belly and puffy nipples. However, after the first few "scouting" outings-I didn't see her again. Thinking that perhaps she was an indoor/outdoor cat to somebody, I gave up the search.
Fast forward to May. I was walking around the woods when I heard a commotion. A family of six where gathered around a fallen log and pointing excitedly. Thinking that perhaps they found baby raccoons or something, I headed over in that direction. Small kittens! The children where handling them just fine and they seem unfazed. Getting into conversation with the family, I somehow wound up with three kittens (Two B&W and One all gray). Several vet visits and phone calls later...homes where found for all of them. Happy story right?
Wrong!
Think back 4 weeks ago. That same cat in March? Spotted again. This time, not only does she have a bulgy sides and puffy nipples, she is barely able to move and is dehydrated and thirsty from the heat wave. She doesn't even hiss when I pick her up and bring her to my home.
Now here we are with an extremely pregnant cat in my spare bedroom. I've never watched a cat give birth, except when I googled it on youtube after finding this one. I am inexperienced and not even sure when she is due. So here we go:
4 weeks ago when I found her-Had noticeable pink nipples. Didn't eat much.
3 weeks ago- Appetite found her. Eating tons.
2 weeks ago-Belly is getting very bulgy.
1 week ago- She can't lick herself properly without tumbling over. You can totally feel kittens moving around inside.
Today-She is sleepy, not eating too much. Changes her sleeping position from the cat bed-to the sleepaway corner-to the birthing box-to my lap-back to the bed again (basically, seeming like she can't get comfortable.) She has had some mild loose stools over the weekend.
Just wondering the big question...when will she pop?
I have a large forest near my apartment complex where many animals live. Unfortunately, living in a college town means that pets are mistreated, abandoned, or worse. In my city of Kalamazoo, MI where we have two (legit) animal rescues, the humane society, the SPCA, and an animal shelter... the pet population is immense. It's a sad thing to see so many (roughly) 1-year old cats come into these places, without ever receiving medical attention or being altered.
But I digress...early january, 3 young orange cats suddenly appeared in these woods. Other residents had taken notice, as "make-shift" food bowls were near the dumpsters. That's when I decided I'd help these cats. I began to scout them out. I'd leave canned food out, treats, and other goodies hoping to entice them. Yet after a few weeks, they weren't any more friendly. This is when I learned the term "feral cat" and became knowledgeable about TNR practices. So with my new found information, I decided to get involved. I started volunteering at the animal rescues and was able to borrow live cat traps. At the humane society here in town, every thursday is "Feral Cat" day. Where they spay/neuter feral cats completely free of charge (the hard part was being there so darn early!). Three neutered orange cats and a visit to a feral cat colony later....
I found myself in an unusually warm March. There was a cat I had been watching. She was new to the area and I took an interest in her bulging belly and puffy nipples. However, after the first few "scouting" outings-I didn't see her again. Thinking that perhaps she was an indoor/outdoor cat to somebody, I gave up the search.
Fast forward to May. I was walking around the woods when I heard a commotion. A family of six where gathered around a fallen log and pointing excitedly. Thinking that perhaps they found baby raccoons or something, I headed over in that direction. Small kittens! The children where handling them just fine and they seem unfazed. Getting into conversation with the family, I somehow wound up with three kittens (Two B&W and One all gray). Several vet visits and phone calls later...homes where found for all of them. Happy story right?
Wrong!
Think back 4 weeks ago. That same cat in March? Spotted again. This time, not only does she have a bulgy sides and puffy nipples, she is barely able to move and is dehydrated and thirsty from the heat wave. She doesn't even hiss when I pick her up and bring her to my home.
Now here we are with an extremely pregnant cat in my spare bedroom. I've never watched a cat give birth, except when I googled it on youtube after finding this one. I am inexperienced and not even sure when she is due. So here we go:
4 weeks ago when I found her-Had noticeable pink nipples. Didn't eat much.
3 weeks ago- Appetite found her. Eating tons.
2 weeks ago-Belly is getting very bulgy.
1 week ago- She can't lick herself properly without tumbling over. You can totally feel kittens moving around inside.
Today-She is sleepy, not eating too much. Changes her sleeping position from the cat bed-to the sleepaway corner-to the birthing box-to my lap-back to the bed again (basically, seeming like she can't get comfortable.) She has had some mild loose stools over the weekend.
Just wondering the big question...when will she pop?