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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Shit - strange kitten in my house - now hiding!!

70 replies

CatKisser · 10/10/2014 16:41

Unbelieveable.
Got home from school and went into the kitchen. There, on the floor, is the most beautiful little tortoiseshell kitten!!!! It clearly belongs to one of the farm cats and has wriggled through the cat flap and couldn't get out, as it's set to in only.

It's now gone behind and under a kitchen cupboard and if I look with a mirror and a light i can see it's bundled up terrified! Sad

What do I do? Its mum was around earlier but has buggered off now. How do I get it to come out?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 10/10/2014 20:23

I frequently threaten to re-home my cat to a family of big dog breeders.

Grin
cozietoesie · 10/10/2014 20:28

I always have visions, Fluffy, of your cat sitting there saying 'Bring it on ya big wimp' to your various promises. Grin I could be doing him a gross disservice of course.

Corygal · 10/10/2014 21:03

Keep feeding her to make sure she comes back. I do hope this will be a happy ending - you both deserve it.

Original poster
CatKisser · 11/10/2014 05:47

Thank you cory, you're always lovely in your posts. (Not that everyone else here isn't!!)
Been down this morning and we don't appear to have any invited guests, but I've fed mum as usual. No sign of kitty - probably gone back to the farm side of the road.

OP posts:
Original poster
CatKisser · 11/10/2014 22:41

Right. Busy day! If anyone's interested, here's a quick update.
There are three kittens, and they're living in one of my stone outhouses that's full of wood and tools. They are STUNNING cats. Two torties and a long haired ginger and White.

I put some food down and was able to get really close although they're very very timid. Tragically, all three of them have serious infections and possible blindness in one eye. It broke me heart to see them playing like normal kittes but with the weeping sores. So I've emailed my local cats protection rep (derwent valley and Darlington) and am awaiting a reply. I feel thoroughly angry with myself for not acting sooner. When they get back to me I'm going to see what they offer and hopefully all of them including mum, can be neutered.
Sad

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 12/10/2014 00:47

That's awful. Poor little things. He's a real animal lover isn't he?

Hurr1cane · 13/10/2014 10:29

How terrible Sad

Scarletohello · 13/10/2014 17:50

Aw poor kitties, hope they get some treatment soon. And angry at your bloody irresponsible farmer landlord!

Original poster
CatKisser · 13/10/2014 18:28

I'm angry too. It's a bloody nightmare and the poor little things are at risk of getting run over as they get braver!
The cats protection woman got back to me with an email address for my local officer - no reply off them yet. Does anyone know whether the RSPCA would be ok to contact? I've heard they put animals down...couldn't bear the thought of that.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 13/10/2014 18:34

I think there's a greater likelihood from what I've heard of them.

Hurr1cane · 13/10/2014 20:10

Yes big likelyhood of them being out down. Not from CP though. I got a lovely kitten from CP who had terrible eyes, one of her brothers died having one of his removed! Sad

She was killed by a dog at age 2 Sad

Original poster
CatKisser · 13/10/2014 20:12

Oh god how sad, Hurr1cane. I will ring my local officer tomorrow if no response to my email. I'm certain they could be trapped easily as they're becoming more brave by the day. I can't touch them yet but can kneel nearby while they eat. And someone would be BOUND to want them - they're 2 stunning torties and the most gorgeous peachy ginger and white with baby blue eyes.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 13/10/2014 20:18

Best of luck.

Original poster
CatKisser · 13/10/2014 20:41

Thanks! Here's a pic from the weekend, btw. Two of the kits and the mum.

OP posts:
timtam23 · 13/10/2014 20:58

They are gorgeous CatKisser and how kind of you to be doing your best to help them, the outlook would seem grim if it weren't for you

Good luck

Original poster
CatKisser · 14/10/2014 18:27

I've had a response from my local Cats Protection rep - it says "please contact the RSPCA. These cats are ill and they are best placed to deal with them."

I am really disappointed. No reference to neutering the mother. What do I do? I cannot let these kittens be put down. I feel like crying. Any advice welcome.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2014 18:29

I think the RSPCA are the only ones who have any legal power to seize the cats though.

Original poster
CatKisser · 14/10/2014 18:32

Fuck. Angry
Sorry.
Really don't know what to do. Do I contact RSPCA and let them take them? I am feeling unreasonably pissed off with that response from the CP woman. I KNOW I am being unreasonable as they are a charity.

OP posts:
Hurr1cane · 14/10/2014 18:34

Can you take them and advertise them? (For a price but you don't have to actually take their money?) as very poorly feral kittens that need vet care and a lot of attention?

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2014 18:36

I'd contact them, he's your ll though so I'd also be considering a move.

They'll probably ask to see them & tell him to seek vet treatment within a week etc.

Original poster
CatKisser · 14/10/2014 18:39

Fluffy, I cannot move - I have no money, not a penny. No exaggeration. Grrrrr!!!!!

Hurr1cane, that is an interesting idea! Perhaps if I stated the situation honestly, only genuine cat lovers would enquire? I most certainly wouldn't accept money, or if I did it would go to the woman who runs a cattery and takes in strays near me... Actually, she might be worth a ring for some good advice. I know she's full to bursting with kittens, but defo worth a try!

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2014 18:49

Ask the cattery woman first. It's such a mess & he's not going to change.

cozietoesie · 14/10/2014 19:04

That's you in a truly difficult position, CatKisser. Farmers can be a bit 'funny' about RSPCA/strangers turning up on their property especially if they run livestock themselves.

Is there any virtue in trying the slightly nutty bright and breezy approach of dashing to his door, announcing that you've found some sick kittens and that because they're ill, you're sure they're not his, so you're going to hand them over to xxxx/yyyy - and then dashing away again ? It might well work.

Original poster
CatKisser · 14/10/2014 19:11

It's a possibility, Cozie, but I'm not sure it'd work. I hope I haven;t doe the wrong thing but I've put an ad on Gumtree. It says:

Please read carefully

These three are the babies of a feral farm cat who took a liking to my shed. They are lively, inquisitive, bouncy and becoming friendlier.

HOWEVER, they all have an eye infection that needs treating. I am gutted that I cannot afford to get them treated myself and I'm not willing to let them get worse. The Cats Protection can't help and the RSPCA will put them down.

I am looking for a caring, sympathetic, person who could take one or more of these beauties and give them a good home. I'm asking for a token amount which would be donated to my local cattery, but I'm not even bothered about that.

The kittens are: 2 x gorgeous tortoiseshell females and 1x ginger and white (sex unknown) with baby blue eyes.

I'm certain these babies can lead a long and happy life with a caring owner who'd look after them. Please, please contact me if you think you could offer a good home
*
Just maybe this might catch the attention of someone kind? I'm also going to call the cattery woman who takes in strays tomorrow.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 14/10/2014 19:12

OP - where in the country are you?