I used to post here (The Cat Site; not this forum) quite often, but life, new job, etc. got in the way and my online activities slowed way down. So, I'm not really new here, but I've been away awhile.
My job takes me to different places, and one month ago (to the day) I brought a pregnant stray home with me. I couldn't leave her where she was; she had obviously been dumped. She was very thin, and hungry, and was a total angel on the 500 mile car ride back home.
I have 5 cats of my own at home (and a dog), so I put here in my basement so she could give birth in peace. I took her to my vet as soon as I could, and she is FeLV/FIV negative. They didn't vaccinate or deworrm her since she was so soon to giving birth. I thought about having her spayed right then, but since I thought she was going to have the kittens soon, I just couldn't do it.
Last Thursday night she gave birth to six healthy kittens. I plan on keeping the mother cat - if I can do five cats, six shouldn't be a problem - right?
My mother is planning on taking one of the kittens. I have called some no-kill shelters and they told me to call them back to get on the waiting list with the kittens.
When should I take mother and babies to the vet for the first time? They are all healthy and gaining weight nicely. Mama is still too thin, IMO, but not dangerously so. I feed her all the canned she can eat.
When can I get mama spayed? I don't want to interfere with her nursing.
How am I ever going to be able to give up those kittens? I want to keep them all and I know that people having 10/11 cats isn't that unusual, but I travel for work and even though my SO is a big animal lover too, I don't think it is fair when we both work. I am a bit strict on "rules" for my kittens (must be neutered/ spayed, no declawing, indoor only, wet food only preferred) that I may scare off people who may want a kitten and that is why I feel a shelter might do better with this.
Two white with black spots, two tabby and whites, two mostly black with white faces/paws. Mama is black.
My job takes me to different places, and one month ago (to the day) I brought a pregnant stray home with me. I couldn't leave her where she was; she had obviously been dumped. She was very thin, and hungry, and was a total angel on the 500 mile car ride back home.
I have 5 cats of my own at home (and a dog), so I put here in my basement so she could give birth in peace. I took her to my vet as soon as I could, and she is FeLV/FIV negative. They didn't vaccinate or deworrm her since she was so soon to giving birth. I thought about having her spayed right then, but since I thought she was going to have the kittens soon, I just couldn't do it.
Last Thursday night she gave birth to six healthy kittens. I plan on keeping the mother cat - if I can do five cats, six shouldn't be a problem - right?
My mother is planning on taking one of the kittens. I have called some no-kill shelters and they told me to call them back to get on the waiting list with the kittens.
When should I take mother and babies to the vet for the first time? They are all healthy and gaining weight nicely. Mama is still too thin, IMO, but not dangerously so. I feed her all the canned she can eat.
When can I get mama spayed? I don't want to interfere with her nursing.
How am I ever going to be able to give up those kittens? I want to keep them all and I know that people having 10/11 cats isn't that unusual, but I travel for work and even though my SO is a big animal lover too, I don't think it is fair when we both work. I am a bit strict on "rules" for my kittens (must be neutered/ spayed, no declawing, indoor only, wet food only preferred) that I may scare off people who may want a kitten and that is why I feel a shelter might do better with this.
Two white with black spots, two tabby and whites, two mostly black with white faces/paws. Mama is black.