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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kittens suddenly!

41 replies

recklessruby · 10/09/2019 08:13

A (somewhat flaky) friend has suddenly acquired a pair of 8 week old kittens.
She is vague about where from.
She is giving them kitten food (ok) but milk like we have from the supermarket. Not kitten milk.
Myself and another friend have told her this is wrong but her boyfriend says its right and we are wrong.
Also the litter tray is in a big cardboard box with the food. 🤢(not envy) and she doesn't plan to vaccinate, chip or neuter (they are boys so the resulting kittens wont be her problem).
She just doesn't seem like she s got what it takes to look after them.
I have had cats since i was a kid but she would rather do it her own way.
I don t think I m being unreasonable to be concerned for these kittens welfare but she hasn't actually abused or purposefully neglected them.
Wwyd?

OP posts:
Original poster
recklessruby · 10/09/2019 09:12

motheroflittlepeople me too! We are currently doing extensive research on a possible second cat and will be introducing them gradually as I have done before.
We have to be vetted Smile before we adopt.
These kittens appeared suddenly and are in a tiny flat.

OP posts:
Original poster
recklessruby · 10/09/2019 09:16

covetingthepreciousthings this is my opinion too. They are cute now fluffy little babies but will soon mature into spraying fighting toms and lose their ahhh factor.
She has previously given away other pets (not cats) when she got bored with their needs.

OP posts:
MotherOfLittlePeople · 10/09/2019 09:17

@recklessruby it's driving me insane because I really want to ring but don't want any trouble at my door when we have just moved in and two little ones. I've been trying to catch the lady again so I can say "you really need a rescue centre" but I haven't once seen her leave the house or come out. Next thing will be the mother has more, she looks bigger. I did tell the friend yesterday I thought she looked bigger and he said "well she can't have more yet" 🤦🏻‍♀️.

BarbaraofSeville · 10/09/2019 09:23

Mother

You could try contacting a rescue yourself. They'll try to help the mother cat and kittens and deal with your neighbour.

Chances are the mother is pregnant again. We see it all the time and the poor mothers stop producing enough milk if they're not well nourished themselves or just the demands of multiple litters and the kittens die Sad.

If a rescue helps her, they'll spay the mother (if she's not pregnant again, if she is, she'll go into a foster home to be looked after until her kittens are weaned and then she'll be spayed) and they'll rehome the kittens if they are suitable.

Sometimes young kittens can be 'turned around' if they've started to go feral if you get to them young enough, but it has to be by about 2-3 months old, or else they'll never trust humans. If we have kittens like that, we neuter them and rehome them to farms and stables, where they can live a nice life outside but with access to shelter and people to keep an eye on them.

MotherOfLittlePeople · 10/09/2019 09:29

@BarbaraofSeville yes I am going to have to contact someone but wanted to speak to the lady again first. I'm not sure how old they are tbh. She seemed to think 5 weeks 3 weeks ago but I think they are older. It's just catching the lady outside, don't want to go round knocking on her door (don't want to share to much info but we were told some things before moving in, don't want any trouble). They don't seem to be wandering off but I'd like to know where the other two have gone. Not seen the mother today but apparently she was left to the lady when old tenants moved so she is friendly.

madeyemoodysmum · 10/09/2019 09:38

I love my boy cat. He is the best So cuddly and vocal. But the reason he is so fab is he was neutered at 5 months.

Neutered cats are much nicer pets.

Original poster
recklessruby · 10/09/2019 09:40

mother what a dilemma. I would worry that not seeing some of the kittens could mean they have sadly passed away.
If the mum is pregnant again and not being fed properly she wont feed the existing kittens.
If you report it would she know its you for sure? Could anyone else be on the radar for her to suspect?
That poor mum cat Sad

OP posts:
MotherOfLittlePeople · 10/09/2019 09:46

@recklessruby I think the only people that know are us and her friend and with me already offering help I think she would suspect us x

Original poster
recklessruby · 10/09/2019 09:59

mother is she a council/ housing association tenant? Or renting privately?
There are rules about how many (if any) pets you can have.
My ds used to rent privately and the flat was inspected regularly by the landlord.
Call to the council about the rats? Envoiremental health?
Rats get everywhere so could be one of the other neighbours.
I feel for you
We had rats when my dc were small and i freaked out.
It was our neighbours storing rice in their shed that caused it.

OP posts:
Liedownsnikey1965 · 10/09/2019 11:51

Poor kittens,shes silly,those kittens will suffer with no vaccinations,,if not neutered more chance of very smelly pee around house,,spraying,they ll get too big,,unhealthy all kinds of problems,. We ve jist lost our gorgeous grey 5 yr old cat,he was ill his heart n lungs were not right,,its so sad he was v ill. I would not like this to happen to anyone!

MotherOfLittlePeople · 10/09/2019 13:45

@recklessruby we are all council I believe on this street. Don't think there is any rule on cats but they're is on dogs (only 2 allowed)

hoxtonbabe · 10/09/2019 14:07

The thought of the food and litter together made my stomach churn. I don’t think she should be allowed to keep them.

As someone said up thread, they are all cute and fluffy now but 6 months from now is another matter. My 5 month old is a huge monster to the point even the vets thought he was already an adult and he’s now able to reach everything and knock everything down with the added bonus of having all
That hyped up kitten behaviour, the only upside now is he can no longer fit behind the dishwasher to hide which always used to worry me.

hopefully she will realise the work involved and give them up to a home that will care for them properly!

MotherOfLittlePeople · 13/09/2019 19:47

Hi ladies. Just an update bit the bullet today and we have caught all kittens and mum. They are currently been taken to be wormed, defleaed and injections. They are feral and about 11-13weeks. I'm just so happy they are now warm and getting the help they need. Been a long night but I hope they can be rehomed and helped.

Sorry I jumped on your post too @recklessruby

MotherOfLittlePeople · 13/09/2019 20:09

@BarbaraofSeville you were right she's pregnant again as well the mum she's about two years old.

HopeCrescent · 13/09/2019 20:14

ruby this might sound a bit odd, but is your friend (and the kittens) based near Edinburgh?

Raspberrytruffle · 13/09/2019 20:51

She will regret not getting her kittens neutered, spraying their territory and constantly coming home with battle wounds. Some people shouldn't have pets if they are not prepared to care for them properly and give them what they need. I spend a fortune each month on put vets VIP plan which ensures they get regular injections and worming etc. They are also insured but I love my pets so I do what's right by them. Plus a fortune on specialist pet food for dodgy tums Envy

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