Say hello to Ruby :) ( and advice about her mum!)

[Methe]

A couple of weeks ago I posted asking about the practicalities of getting a kitten. I was pointed in the direction of cat chat and then decided to rehome an older cat from a rescue mainly to save our sofas and curtains! I had a home check planned with a lady from the cats protection but then one of my husbands friends said his cat had some kittens that he "wanted rid of" :( last week we went to meet them and bought both of them home immediately. They were living in a tiny yard in the centre of a city and I couldn't have left one behind.

Both kittens seem fine. We have kept ruby and a friend has had he other one. We are all absolutely smitten and but furnishings seem to be faring well this far. She's off to the vet this week for a check up etc.

Now for the horrible bit. The kittens mum is pregnant again and still living in this tiny junk yard. This will be her 3rd litter this year and predictably her owner wanted rid of her too :( she looked exhausted and was heavily pregnant.. I don't know how pregnant but ruby is 8 weeks old so it depends how long it took her to come in to season I guess. I suggested CPL and he shrugged. I couldn't have bought her home, we don't have the space, time or money to cope with a pregnant cat or a litter of 6 or more kittens but I can't get her out of my mind the poor love, what a wretched existence :(

Anyone have any suggestions?

Speak to CPL and explain the situation. Even though they are very full themselves, they may have other contacts with fosterers who would e willing to take on this cat and her impending litter

She could be aborted. Unless she is just about to drop them then I think this would be best all round. It's easier to find a home for one cat than it is for seven or so. And perhaps you could have her too? Three cats isn't much different to two.

I was so close to bringing her home too but dh wouldn't let me. He was the voice of reason I guess, we genuinely don't have the room or the money for the inevitable vets bills but I would happily pick her up and take her to the cpl or anywhere else.

if he wants rid and won't consider a rescue. I would have her my self then when she is mine contact a rescue and explain the situation and they will be able to take her me instead.

I don't think it was that he wouldn't consider the rescue more that he couldn't be arsed to sort it out.

Ill get dh to speak to him. He's not someone we know well really.

How late can kittens be aborted? How long are cats even pregnant for? She did look quite big.

We abort up to about one week before they're due, so quite late. But it depends on the vet. Abortion isn't nice, but it's usually so much better than the alternatives. Her poor body will be worn out with all these litters in such a sort space of time, and of course finding someone to look after a cat nursing kittens for 10 weeks is very difficult. And there are already more cats than there are homes, we need to avoid adding yet more to the problem if at all possible.

Cats' gestation period is two and a bit months.

Do they normally come in to heat immediately? She could be ready to drop.

It's unusual but it is possible. They can look big for quite a while. I would contact everyone you can tomorrow (CPL/private vets) and at least get her seen.

If you are willing to look after her and it is just the bills contact CP and ask them about you fostering her. Explain the situation, tell them you can't have her long term but you can't leave her where she is. They may (also may not) be willing to pick up vets bills and rehome her, if you can keep her for a few weeks.

Dh can't get hold of the person we got our kitten from to speak to him. I took ruby for her first jabs this morning and my vet said there wasn't anything they could do anyway, it'd need to be the cpl and its irrelevant if the mums owners isn't cooperating. For all I know she's had the kittens by now. It's sounds as if the world is over run with kittens and pregnant cats looking for homes.

If we had a bigger house I'd have bought her home with me the and then but we only don't. Nothing else I can do :(

Often where they have had multiple litters very fast their stomach muscles 'go' so they look big quite early on. Often they come on to heat when the kittens are 3weeks old and gestation is on average 63 days (9 weeks).
I would spay/abort this poor girl to turn her back from being a baby making machine into a cat again.

I don't understand. You mean the vet said they don't do abortions? If so, other vets will. But yes you would have to pay if you can't get a voucher from the cpl.

Don't give up. If you can't get hold of the man go round and visit. Keep trying. I can't imagine that the owner would care if you got her spayed as long as it's no skin of his nose (in terms of money/time/effort). Please keep trying.