EMERGENCY! INSTANT ANSWER NEEDED

[Lonelymum]

What should I do? A cat who frequently visits us has had three kittens in our garden (just discovered them). We have tried to contact her owner but to no avail as yet. I don't want to leave the kittens outside overnight as I am afraid it will be too cold for them. What should I do?

phone RSPCA maybe?

Ring a vet and ask for advice ??

I know from past experience that the RSPCA only come out to collect cats during office hours. Relluctant to ring vet because I don't want to incur fees. Also, may upset owners (sorry, there is a story behind this which I haven't time to explain)

Does anyone know if I could attempt to move the kittens into the garage where they would be a bit warmer?

The only other thing you can do is make them a little warm bed in your house and take the in for the night put them all cuddled together.

don't quote me on that though as i am not sure about kittens

No litter tray for the mother though and dh is not happy to have them in the house. I really wish the owners would get in contact!

If I picked up the kittens would the mother get upset/reject them?

I really am not sure i don't really have dealings with cats but lets keep bumping this up someone must know ......

You won't incur fees for some basic information over the phone.

good idea LGJ, yes of course phone the vet or RSPCA and ask them what you could do until you can reach the owners?

Where do you live LM?we have lots of cat rescue places where i am,other than the rspca.This happened to me a few years ago,a stray ahd her litter in my garden,we did move the kittens indoors overnight-theywould derfinately have frozen to death otherwise,and sadly the mum did reject them,but a cat charity took them the next day and found homes-my friend had one as did i and both are still hale and hearty now.Sorry thats useless info for you,but you could try yellow pages for alternatives to rspca.

Thanks for answers - crisis over - the owner was eventually found and came and took the kittens and mother home with her.

I know I wouldn't incur vets bills by ringing them up, but I thought it might lead to me taking the kittens on and then incurring costs. Also, the owner has a very laid back approach to the care of her (many) cats and I fell foul of her when I moved here when I had some of her other cats taken away by the RSPCA (they weren't being looked after).

Anyway, crisis over and thanks to those who replied.

Crisis started again! The mother cat has brought one of the kittens back to her nesting place. Where are the other two? Why doens't she get them too? I want to keep the kittens (and cat) now; their owner didn't even know she was pg, that is how little she has to do with her cats. Has anyone else reared kittens? Or is anyone a vet?

When i was little my brother brought back a kitten which was being used as a football by some older boys. We took it to the vets and miraculously (sp) she was relatively unharmed. She was only about 2 days old, her eyes hadn't opened yet.

Anyway we fed her every few hours using carnation milk (I think) using a pipette. She lived until she was 19 years old and became my best friend.

So it can be done but I would get more info one what to feed it. Try the PDSA? I think they're free.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

LM phone the RSPCA. Surely the kittens will be too cold overnight and if they have already taken cats away from this woman they won't hesitate to come and help you out.

Give her time and she may get all of them. If she is returning to the nest in the garden is because she finds the spot safe and good for her kittens. I would let it alone and try to keep the disturbances to a minimum. Of course, if your children are likely to want to play with the kittens too soon or too much, the cat will move them to another place. Problem solves itself.

LM, no experience, apart from have had a grown up cat. Couldn't you secret them somewhere? Would your dh soften? Seems so sad.