Hi, Everyone.
I have 3 strays/ferals coming by at night to eat. One (Stubby Tail, male) has been caught, neutered, doctored up, and released.
I've been a bit concerned about one I call Fluffy, who is a long hair. Based on the nighttime video I have, I suspect that his/her coat is matted or has other issues.
Now my concern about trapping Fluffy: Up until a bit over a week ago, Fluffy was regular - coming to eat between 9 and 10:30 PM. Now he/she either comes later (after I've gone to bed and turned off the video) or is not coming most nights. I have seen him/her twice in the last 9 days. My concern is that if Fluffy is female, she may have had kittens. I did check the video I have, but I can't really say if Fluffy is a she (his/her tail was always down) or pregnant. One dynamic that makes me suspect Fluffy is female is the few times Fluffy and Stubby Tail have been at the feeding area at the same time, Stubby deferred to Fluffy.
IF Fluffy has kittens, I'm worried they would be too young for her to be gone ~36 hours (trapped in the late evening, fixed the next AM, then picked up/released the following AM). At what age could I expect them to be OK for her to be gone that long? Also, if Fluffy is lactating...I know she could be fixed, but I'm guessing it would be better to wait until she is starting to wean the kittens. Is that a good assumption?
If Fluffy has kittens, when would they be old enough that she might bring them by? 6 weeks? Earlier? Later?
Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Barring any other information, I think I'll wait a few more weeks to try to trap Fluffy, just to be safe.
I have 3 strays/ferals coming by at night to eat. One (Stubby Tail, male) has been caught, neutered, doctored up, and released.
I've been a bit concerned about one I call Fluffy, who is a long hair. Based on the nighttime video I have, I suspect that his/her coat is matted or has other issues.
Now my concern about trapping Fluffy: Up until a bit over a week ago, Fluffy was regular - coming to eat between 9 and 10:30 PM. Now he/she either comes later (after I've gone to bed and turned off the video) or is not coming most nights. I have seen him/her twice in the last 9 days. My concern is that if Fluffy is female, she may have had kittens. I did check the video I have, but I can't really say if Fluffy is a she (his/her tail was always down) or pregnant. One dynamic that makes me suspect Fluffy is female is the few times Fluffy and Stubby Tail have been at the feeding area at the same time, Stubby deferred to Fluffy.
IF Fluffy has kittens, I'm worried they would be too young for her to be gone ~36 hours (trapped in the late evening, fixed the next AM, then picked up/released the following AM). At what age could I expect them to be OK for her to be gone that long? Also, if Fluffy is lactating...I know she could be fixed, but I'm guessing it would be better to wait until she is starting to wean the kittens. Is that a good assumption?
If Fluffy has kittens, when would they be old enough that she might bring them by? 6 weeks? Earlier? Later?
Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Barring any other information, I think I'll wait a few more weeks to try to trap Fluffy, just to be safe.