- Joined
- Jan 29, 2019
- Messages
- 37
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About a week and a half ago we became aware of a mom cat and two kittens living under a broken down car nearby. I've been bringing them food and water and trying to socialize with them since then. But I'm having some trouble knowing where to go from here.
-all nearby shelters are full.
-the mom is feral. she's tolerated me, and will even let me stroke her while she's eating, but is very much not socialized and always defaults to fear and hostility.
-I live in a small apartment with no closed-off areas to keep pets contained. but I have gotten a mesh, enclosed pen to house them in temporarily (it's about 8 square feet. I've also put a little hideaway in it, along with litter, water, and toys)
-I have an adult cat who's very calm and conflict-avoidant, but who is FIV+. so I can't keep any of them in good conscience, but I'm willing to temporarily keep them contained or under watch while I find them homes
-the kittens are... maybe 6 weeks old? they're still nursing, but also are eating the food I bring (wet food, and dry kitten kibble)
-they're starting to get used to me. still skittish, but letting me hold and pet them if I'm careful and calm, and playing with toys I bring.
-I've borrowed a live trap from a nearby humane society.
-the surrounding area here is very inhospitable to strays. mostly busy roads and parking lots.
so... I need help deciding these things:
-when should I bring the kittens in?
-should I take the mom in to get spayed? I don't really like the idea of giving her a stressful invasive surgery, turning her back out to be stray while she recovers, and also stealing her kittens. so
-should... I get the mom spayed and take her in with the kittens while she recovers?
I'm leaning toward the last one but worrying about the space, about the stress, about timing and etc.
-all nearby shelters are full.
-the mom is feral. she's tolerated me, and will even let me stroke her while she's eating, but is very much not socialized and always defaults to fear and hostility.
-I live in a small apartment with no closed-off areas to keep pets contained. but I have gotten a mesh, enclosed pen to house them in temporarily (it's about 8 square feet. I've also put a little hideaway in it, along with litter, water, and toys)
-I have an adult cat who's very calm and conflict-avoidant, but who is FIV+. so I can't keep any of them in good conscience, but I'm willing to temporarily keep them contained or under watch while I find them homes
-the kittens are... maybe 6 weeks old? they're still nursing, but also are eating the food I bring (wet food, and dry kitten kibble)
-they're starting to get used to me. still skittish, but letting me hold and pet them if I'm careful and calm, and playing with toys I bring.
-I've borrowed a live trap from a nearby humane society.
-the surrounding area here is very inhospitable to strays. mostly busy roads and parking lots.
so... I need help deciding these things:
-when should I bring the kittens in?
-should I take the mom in to get spayed? I don't really like the idea of giving her a stressful invasive surgery, turning her back out to be stray while she recovers, and also stealing her kittens. so
-should... I get the mom spayed and take her in with the kittens while she recovers?
I'm leaning toward the last one but worrying about the space, about the stress, about timing and etc.
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