Are you feeding them? I can't stand that they are starving. Feral cats can always be relocated. They'll still be feral, though Harry sounds like he wants a home. Can you trap them and take them to your relative's property?
So, kells321, what are your plans with the trap? If you can trap Mom first the kittens may be coaxed into the carrier with food and you won't have to worry that she'll try to protect them. Ideally, they suggest trapping all at one time so no one becomes trap savvy. The large traps are not usually used on kittens...they have smaller ones that are safer for the kittens. Hopefully, Alley Cats will contact you tomorrow.
You could start the process rolling by feeding everyone in the carrier...just leaving the door open. That way, they will be comfortable entering the carrier on their own. Once they become comfortable entering you can rig up a string to pull the door shut while they are in there. It might give you some points with Mom, too, to feed them.
Yes, I fed them last night and the mother hissed at me! After they ate, I went to check through my kitchen window and she hissed at me again when she was nursing! My mother in law changed her mind about taking the kittens, so now I'm back to square one.
Just keep feeding them while you consider the options. She's hissing to protect her offspring. It's not really you.
Can you contact a local no-kill shelter and ask if they have foster homes available? If trapped, this family could be placed in a garage or on a porch. Sometimes they will come trap them for you. I think you need to make some phone calls and keep asking for help/referrals until something clicks. Just be sure to say you do not want the animals put down! But you probably need to go through an actual organization.
Yes, she is saying "I'm watching you...don't you dare try doing anything to my kittens!" with her hisses. Hisses are okay...just a warning that she's unsure. The low rumbling growl, halloween cat type sounds are the next step up. It gets progressively louder before you should worry. You could try talking sweetly in a sing songy quiet voice that you know she is afraid and you have no intention of hurting her or her babies. I know this sounds weird but it truly works.
Is she still right at your door? With her kittens? I'm so sorry you are not getting any support from locals. If I were close I'd come over and wrangle those cats for you.
Where are you located? City and state. Maybe one of us can help find a shelter for you that could help. I'm willing to check the computer and make some calls if you don't have time. If I can find help, I'll give you their name and number so you can take it from there. But mama needs nutrition desperately to feed those babies in the meantime.
The shelter can only take in very nice cats and kittens as we don't have time or space to be able to tame them. Without meeting the 8 month old, I would say at his age he would not be able to be tamed. Even though you didn't see the kittens around, mom cats can be very aggressive to any animal they see as a threat to their little ones. It would be best to get them trapped and spayed/neutered and the aggression should diminish. You always have the option of trapping her and taking her to animal control if she is a threat to your dog or child!
What about Corpus Christi Animal rescue or the Guardians Rescue? Maybe they can help. Also I'm not sure but you could try contacting Rescue Me, they are a type of animal relocating/rescue transport site, they do not do it themselves but they have connections.
I emailed guardians rescue today. I haven't heard back yet. I did notice on their website the people helping the animals were wearing peewee's shirts. And peewees told me no.
Earlier today, I called animal control and the sweet lady there told me to try P.A.A.C. People Assisting Animal Control. She said they get kittens from them and partner up with Petco and most of them get adopted. Well I called and they were already closed, so I messaged them on Facebook. She told me they only take from animal control, but no guarantee they would take the kittens I'm trying to find a forever home for. She also stated, if they get sick or not adopted, they would more than likely be euthanized.