Just found some stray kittens and don't know what to do!

[AmenGirl]

I just left work to go on my lunch and as I came to the bottom of the road, there were some young black kittens running out from in between the buildings. It's an industrial estate full of waste land so I'm assuming they haven't been dumped there or come from a nearby house.

I had to beep to make them move out of the road and it scared one causing it to run into the path of another oncoming car. I felt sick and so so upset (I'm still crying at my desk now).

I called the RSPCA as soon as I got back to work but they said they don't rescue stray cats and I can only call the police if the animals are causing drivers any danger... I am so shocked that nobody cares. I have rang a load of other organisations including Cat Protection but they won't come.

I feel like getting a box and going to take them home myself but the mother is with them and I don't know what will happen to her. There's no food out here, it's an abandoned industrial estate!

What should I do, any help please??

[thecatneuterer]

I see you're in Liverpool. Have you called Freshfields?

[thecatneuterer]

www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk/animals/liverpool

[thecatneuterer]

How old do you think they are? Does the mother seem tame?

[thecatneuterer]

In the meantime please put food out. You need to stop them wandering and make it easier for the mother to be trapped/picked up. And you can only do that by feeding them there regularly

[thecatneuterer]

The RSPCA are well-known for being fucking useless. I'm surprised at Cats Protection though. Freshfields certainly do trapping and neutering though and should be your best bet.

[AmenGirl]

Thank you, I have just contacted them, waiting for a response now. They looked about 4-5 months old so something must be keeping them alive, but why aren't they aware of the traffic?

The mother is very interesting looking, like a pedigree Bengal or something (not tabby) so i can't imagine how she ended up there. She ran off and didn't seem to go to the kitten in the road?

[chockbic]

You need smelly fish and a trap.

Poor pussies tho good on you for caring.

[AmenGirl]

I have no bowl or anything at work with me, just my lidded water bottle. It's really hot and dry here today as well, they were crowded round an ancient milk bottle with flies buzzing on it. I wish the RSPCA would just come, I can't sit here at my desk knowing those poor mites are outside...

[chockbic]

Tell the RSPCA you're a journalist and will have a camera crew there!

[thecatneuterer]

May be they have just been dumped. Freshfields should help you. In the meantime though can you buy some food and a bowl from somewhere and just pop back?

It's tragic about the kitten that got killed, but it wasn't your fault. And you're doing what you can to help those that are left.

[Fluffycloudland77]

This is a bengal, does she look like this?.

As you've found out its really hard to get the rspca out, they might be freshly dumped though.

Ideally you need two dishes, one for water and one for food, if they've been weaned mum can't provide for them. Unless she's a proficient hunter.

[AmenGirl]

No she was paler almost blonde-coloured with very pretty spots all over her. But the kittens were all black tabby-ish looking? I'm going to get some food from the shop on my next break, sitting here is not helping. Still waiting for a response. Text my DP and he said under no circumstances can I "rescue" them or bring them home or even drive them to a vet

When I went over to one of the older kittens and puss-pussed at him he shut his eyes all happy and sort of swayed with purring so they must know human interaction, right?

[PinkSparklyElephant]

Poor little things, I'm glad someone cares about them. I hope the rescue gets back to you soon.

Just out of interest, why can't you drive them to the vet?

[thecatneuterer]

Why the fuck can't you drive them to a vet?

[Fluffycloudland77]

Yes it sounds like they aren't scared of humans, A feral kitten would have hissed at you and run to mum for cover.

If dads a tabby they could take after dads colouring.

I'd ignore your dp, he can't tell you what you can & can't do to help an animal.

You'll always wonder what happened to them if you don't try to help them.

[Methe]

Your dp doesn't own you and isn't your dad. I hope you told him that if you wanted to drive them somewhere then you bloody well would.

Collect the poor things and take them to cats protection.

[thecatneuterer]

I don't know why I've come over all sweary today. Apologies.

But really? You couldn't take them in for just a few days if absolutely necessary? (Although of course hopefully it won't be necessary).

[thecatneuterer]

Before you do any collecting though you would need a proper cat carrier. And of course 'mum' still has to be caught and that might be a bit more challenging. Freshfields will be in touch soon I'm sure.

[Fluffycloudland77]

My dh knows what would happen if I found a load of dumped cats on an industrial estate.

My cats reaction would worry me more & I love my dh very much but, you know, cats are furry & purr.

[PinkSparklyElephant]

DH told me the other day that he wouldn't believe me if I 'found' a stray kitten! Then again he's as soft as me so I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem...

[Sparklingbrook]

Awww. I hope they come out soon and rescue them all and there's happy news.
I am surprised at the CPs reaction too.

[AmenGirl]

Heard back from Freshfields but they said at that age they are most likely to be feral rather than abandoned domestic cats and that they are full to bursting and accepting no new admissions and only have a euthanasia policy when it comes to feral animals.

I don't feel much better to be honest, I've rang so many charities, vets and local organisations but I'm getting nowhere...

wrt driving them to a vet I should have said, my DP is worried I'll get attacked trying to catch them but I'm not sure I agree.

Will go put the food and milk down and check the situation out again, see if the mum has returned or where the injured kitten has got to.

Thank you for replying and calming me down, I must look like a crazy cat lady crying at my desk in work about stray kittens!

[PinkSparklyElephant]

Are the charity seriously saying that pregnant female cats don't get abandoned and have their litters outside? If they really think that they need to speak to one of our local rescues as they always have domesticated cats who have been abandoned.

Personally I would ignore DP and drive them to a vet - as someone said to me when I was adopted by our local stray, someone has to take responsibility.

[PinkSparklyElephant]

Sorry, that wasn't a rant at you! I'm just appalled by the rescue's attitude.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It's a cat with kittens, she's going to run away if scared. I'm hoping the kitten died, because if it hasn't its been suffering for a couple of hours now and no ones coming to rescue them.

There's so many myths about cats, they are such loving affectionate creatures but they get a bad reputation from old wives tales.

They need food & water, milks not good for them.

Unfortunately not enough people neuter their pets and the rescues are full of unwanted kittens.

It's a hard life being a cat with no loving owner.