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Original poster

Just found a cat and newborn kittens in my garden on a low bench. WWYD??

1392 replies

Pinot · 17/04/2011 11:40

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 17/04/2011 17:19

Your DP would agree - if there were more people who would take in kittens then you wouldn't have to have 8! :)

SummerRain · 17/04/2011 17:18

dp would argue that point... at one point we had 8, some of them kittens to be rehomed and some grown cats who were permanent residents and I came in the door with a kitten I'd found dumped at the side of the road.... dp damn near left that day Blush

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 17:04

Awwww....Summer*, that's lovely. Good for you, the world needs more of your type. :)

Original poster
Pinot · 17/04/2011 16:51

I'm really heartened by that Summer thank you :)

I know it's daft but can't believe how tiny she is. Like a hamster with a tail :)

OP posts:
sharbie · 17/04/2011 16:51

ahhhhhhhh so sweet - i am sitting on my hands here as i wd love anther one.good luck with the tiny kitten .

SummerRain · 17/04/2011 16:47

Grin Pinot... not for the squemish this kitten nursing is it!

SummerRain · 17/04/2011 16:46

I once fed a stray who i knew had kittens down the street in an abandoned shed. I fed her several times a day and got her used to being handled.

After a few weeks I came down one morning to find one of the kittens on my doorstep. Half an hour later she turned up with another one in tow. I plopped them in a basket by a radiator and she happily settled herself in with them.... leaving me to break into the shed and rescue the other two (extremely feral) kittens and bring them to her! I still have scars from the little buggers.

She's been here for 3 years now and is the cuddliest housecat you ever met and we kept two of the kittens too, as well as ones from the next two litters (bloody cat got pregnent right after birth each time and the arsing vets refused to spay her while she was nursing.... I had to go in all guns blazing in the end and have a shouting match with the vet to have her done Angry)

Moral of that waffling story... if you feed her and are kind to her she may decide of her own accord to bring them inside to you.

Original poster
Pinot · 17/04/2011 16:43

yes summer have massaged a lil wee out :) :) I'm almost looking forward to the poo later. So pleased - she's just taken 3.5ml of formula

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinot · 17/04/2011 16:41

Its a local cat, have seen it around. I'm just so worried the babies will get cold etc or the Mum wont eat. I dont know. Just worried :(

OP posts:
puddytats · 17/04/2011 16:41

Ohhhh, i am in Sussex and would love another kitten or 2 but DH says that 8 is enough Sad, might have to work on him.......!!!!

SummerRain · 17/04/2011 16:40

poor icle kitten.

not sure if the vet told you but at this age they need a little help in the toilet department... usually the mother will lick their bums after a feed to stimulate the poo, you may need to mimic that with a damp piece of cotton wool (charming isn't it?)

nailak · 17/04/2011 16:38

its probably a neihbours cat...

Vallhala · 17/04/2011 16:29

Have pm-ed you pinot and will follow that up with another. :)

Original poster
Pinot · 17/04/2011 16:27

Bless you vallhala you have a very kind heart indeed. The vet said the kitten is 3/4 days old so guess Mum is quite content there, we've put everything back and blocked it all off from our doggies. I can see the bulge in the tarpaulin where they are. I am checking on them through the conservatory window but I do worry :( I'm in Sussex if you're local? I wonder why the owners havent been canvassing everywhere if their cat has been missing for 3/4 days?! Even if it had gone home for food, surely they'd notice it's not pg anymore? What kind of home must this cat have if it chose my quiet garden bench rather than its house. So sad.

Any tips on handrearing gratefully received :)

OP posts:
Vallhala · 17/04/2011 16:20

FFS, CP are becoming more like the RSPCA by the minute! Did they not offer to take the cat in? Am I misunderstanding or are they content to leave a cat and vulnerable kittens out in the none too warm April nights, at risk of harm and of the motehr becoming pregnant again fast?

There is no guarantee that she'll be fine at all if left... what CP mean is that they are sadly inunndated with cats and kittens and haven't the resources to help. Again.

I'm a rescuer - I recently took in (via MN as it happens) a cat which the CP had similarly abandoned to fend for herself having had kittens but at least there they took her in and vaxed and spayed her before chucking her out into gardens again. She's now safe and well on my sofa, sleeping. Poor mite is deaf, which the CP vet DIDN'T pick up on. They dumped her back into a garden near a busy road saying they could home her kittens but not her... unbelievable!

Can I help in any way, Pinot? Happy to find you a rescue which WILL get them all out of danger or to care for them all myself if needed and of course to provide you with all necessary references and reassurances.

TheMonster · 17/04/2011 16:18

Put a picture of her on your profile!

Original poster
Pinot · 17/04/2011 16:11

Ickle kitty just had a good feed and a wee :) I'm so proud :) Have convinced DH that we should keep her. Fingers crossed for her x

OP posts:
LaWeasel · 17/04/2011 15:14

Sounds mostly good then!

Go on, keep the rejected kitty, you know you want to...

TheMonster · 17/04/2011 14:45

You should change your name to NorthernDolittle Grin

Northernlurker · 17/04/2011 14:22

Sounds like there's something about that kitten she doesn't like - it may not thrive unfortunately.
Good luck though Smile

Original poster
Pinot · 17/04/2011 14:16

Mummy cat has chucked one baby out again and further away from her 'nest' so CPL said to rescue the little mite and warm it up. Did so - using my bra, lucky lil kitkit. Have dropped it at the vets for a checkup and a feed, now convinving DH that we should keep it and I can cope with the hourly feeds etc. Hey - we have 3 dogs, a hamster and 2 corn snakes - what's one extra lil mouth to feed, right?!

Mummy cat and kittens are still hidden underneath the tarpaulin but CPL said she'll be fine and may move them on. Til then, I've put out a box, blanket, water and some food for Mum.

I feel like Rolf Harris crossed with Gandhi Grin Grin

OP posts:
SummerRain · 17/04/2011 12:15

I have too many cats already according to dp so I'm on a kitten ban Sad

How did she react when the kitten fell out and you put it back? If she didn't hiss and snarl or run off I'd bet she's fairly domesticated.

EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 17/04/2011 12:11

She could have a home and has just taken herself off to give birth.

TheMonster · 17/04/2011 12:09

I want one too!

Lavitabellissima · 17/04/2011 12:08

I want a kitten too Smile

Let us know how they are!

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