First, take a deep breath. You are absolutely doing the right thing by these cats. They will be a bit miffed at you for a few days but so what? You are improving their lives 1000% percent. Think of the times a parent has to discipline their child. How often the child is convinced the parents hates them. So untrue and the child eventually learns this. Same in this case.
Cover the carrier the cats are in when they return to you. This will help keep them calm. Keep their room quiet (you can play soothing music) and their routine the same - food at certain times, litter box clean up at certain times, etc.
Unless you plan to keep them inside, if the other cat is a male, he can be released tomorrow. Mom should stay inside and quiet for at least three days. If you do not catch the kittens, they may try to nurse when reunited with her and you'll want that incision to be nice and healed.
To catch the kittens - get a carrier or crate and tie a length of twine to the door. Loop it through the top of the crate. Place the food at the back and walk a distance away with the other end of the twine. The kittens will go in after the food and you can pull the twine to close the door. Move as quickly and quietly as you can to secure the door. They may not even be aware you are there.
Mix a good smelly wet food with a little water to make a slurry. This will be easier for them to eat.
Please try to catch them as soon as possible. They may start to wander, looking for mother. As young as they are, this will be dangerous for them.
Cover the carrier the cats are in when they return to you. This will help keep them calm. Keep their room quiet (you can play soothing music) and their routine the same - food at certain times, litter box clean up at certain times, etc.
Unless you plan to keep them inside, if the other cat is a male, he can be released tomorrow. Mom should stay inside and quiet for at least three days. If you do not catch the kittens, they may try to nurse when reunited with her and you'll want that incision to be nice and healed.
To catch the kittens - get a carrier or crate and tie a length of twine to the door. Loop it through the top of the crate. Place the food at the back and walk a distance away with the other end of the twine. The kittens will go in after the food and you can pull the twine to close the door. Move as quickly and quietly as you can to secure the door. They may not even be aware you are there.
Mix a good smelly wet food with a little water to make a slurry. This will be easier for them to eat.
Please try to catch them as soon as possible. They may start to wander, looking for mother. As young as they are, this will be dangerous for them.