Hello Everyone,
I'm so glad to have found your site as I am in need of advice. My son works at a greenhouse nursery in the suburbs and has been regularly feeding a little feral calico since April. He works there during the spring and summer months and had noticed her last year when she was a kitten but he could not get near her. She would come to him out in the field and meow for food but would only take it when he left her alone. A few days ago the owners found a litter of decomposing kittens in the greenhouse. There was also evidence that she was using the tropical plants for her lavatory. Needless to say she was bad for business and the owners wanted to do away with her. When my son arrived at work in the morning she was being held in trap and crying loudly. He called and asked if we could take her in. I talked to my vet (we have a 2 year old male) and she said as long as I kept the two of them separate until I brought her in for spaying and a thorough check -up. The appointment was booked before I went to pick her up. I would only have to keep her in the basement for two days before the exam and operation. I did not get a good look at her until I brought her home and set her free in the basement.
The poor thing is so far gone in her pregnancy that she is about to give birth any day. She was scared to death and ran around furiously and bumped her head into the wall a few times. I fear that she may have hurt herself but I can't get close to her. My vet has left for two weeks holiday, but before she left she advised me to leave her alone, in the dark with plenty of food and water and lots of warmth. The vet said my presence during labour would only stress her more and the best would be to let nature take its course as far as the kittens are concerned. We have radiant heat in the floors, and I have set up 3 little "caves" with blankets and pillow cases filled with towels.
I would like to keep her but I don't know how well she will do with us. We let our neutered male come and go as he pleases and he stays close to home. He has a male feral friend who comes around from time to time for catnip and sometimes food and you can tell my cat really likes him. I think my cat would accept her without much fuss but one never knows. From the little I know about her she seems to have been a loner and not part of a colony.
I would greatly appreciate any tips from experience that would help me make her transition to a new life a little less painful and a little more inviting.
Today is day 5 and she has not had her babies yet even though I thought she was in labor on day 2 as she seem to be panting every time I looked in on her. I really have no idea of how far along she is (she is almost as wide as she is long and her belly is quite low to the ground). ]]She doesn't seem as agitated when we come in to the room now to bring food and change the litter. .She meows loudly but she is hiding more out in the open (under the pool table rather than behind the couch). She hisses if you come within 3 feet.
She is eating 3 little cans of fancy feast primavera, about a handful of kibble and 15 or so vitamine enhanced whiska's cat treats per day---mostly all at night.
She has good bathroom habits and is very regular.
Last night I slept downstairs for a few hours with her in the same room.
No reaction from her good or bad. She didn't try and run and hide but stayed away from me.
I only keep a dim light on at the end of the room during the day and turn it off at night. Do you think she will suffer from depression with the lack of light.on top of all the other stress she is going through? She is feral and hasn't been outside for fresh air and sunlight for days and it looks like it's going to be for weeks (until the kittens are weaned I presume).
Thanks to all
I'm so glad to have found your site as I am in need of advice. My son works at a greenhouse nursery in the suburbs and has been regularly feeding a little feral calico since April. He works there during the spring and summer months and had noticed her last year when she was a kitten but he could not get near her. She would come to him out in the field and meow for food but would only take it when he left her alone. A few days ago the owners found a litter of decomposing kittens in the greenhouse. There was also evidence that she was using the tropical plants for her lavatory. Needless to say she was bad for business and the owners wanted to do away with her. When my son arrived at work in the morning she was being held in trap and crying loudly. He called and asked if we could take her in. I talked to my vet (we have a 2 year old male) and she said as long as I kept the two of them separate until I brought her in for spaying and a thorough check -up. The appointment was booked before I went to pick her up. I would only have to keep her in the basement for two days before the exam and operation. I did not get a good look at her until I brought her home and set her free in the basement.
The poor thing is so far gone in her pregnancy that she is about to give birth any day. She was scared to death and ran around furiously and bumped her head into the wall a few times. I fear that she may have hurt herself but I can't get close to her. My vet has left for two weeks holiday, but before she left she advised me to leave her alone, in the dark with plenty of food and water and lots of warmth. The vet said my presence during labour would only stress her more and the best would be to let nature take its course as far as the kittens are concerned. We have radiant heat in the floors, and I have set up 3 little "caves" with blankets and pillow cases filled with towels.
I would like to keep her but I don't know how well she will do with us. We let our neutered male come and go as he pleases and he stays close to home. He has a male feral friend who comes around from time to time for catnip and sometimes food and you can tell my cat really likes him. I think my cat would accept her without much fuss but one never knows. From the little I know about her she seems to have been a loner and not part of a colony.
I would greatly appreciate any tips from experience that would help me make her transition to a new life a little less painful and a little more inviting.
Today is day 5 and she has not had her babies yet even though I thought she was in labor on day 2 as she seem to be panting every time I looked in on her. I really have no idea of how far along she is (she is almost as wide as she is long and her belly is quite low to the ground). ]]She doesn't seem as agitated when we come in to the room now to bring food and change the litter. .She meows loudly but she is hiding more out in the open (under the pool table rather than behind the couch). She hisses if you come within 3 feet.
She is eating 3 little cans of fancy feast primavera, about a handful of kibble and 15 or so vitamine enhanced whiska's cat treats per day---mostly all at night.
She has good bathroom habits and is very regular.
Last night I slept downstairs for a few hours with her in the same room.
No reaction from her good or bad. She didn't try and run and hide but stayed away from me.
I only keep a dim light on at the end of the room during the day and turn it off at night. Do you think she will suffer from depression with the lack of light.on top of all the other stress she is going through? She is feral and hasn't been outside for fresh air and sunlight for days and it looks like it's going to be for weeks (until the kittens are weaned I presume).
Thanks to all