Need a handhold stray cat had kittens in my house

[Icepinkeskimo]

I already have 4 fur-facesx who I love and adore. A few weeks ago another little cat appeared stealing their food so I ended up feeding her to as she was so thin and hungry.

Four weeks ago tomorrow she ran the gauntlet sat next to me and wanted some fuss of course I cuddled her she's beautiful. However 45 mins later she went behind the sofa and I checked on her to find her panting and then I realised she was in labour!!
She's only a kitten herself! I was terrified for her.
It was a long night and she did great, I feel immensely privileged that she came to me to have these kittens.

Now I'm heartbroken, as I know I can't keep mommy cat or these three bundles of joy. It's killing me inside, I'm crying every day, I just want them to end up with people who will love them and care for them. How do I go about this? I rang a couple of cat charities to be told they can't help.

Also they are four weeks old tomorrow when should they start weaning?

I need a handhold and help.

Here are the 3 little beauties they melt my heart

do you have facebook (a private account)? maybe you could put an ad up on there, stating that you have these kittens to give away and that you would want to meet the owner before hand etc. my friend also asked in a few old peoples homes, and they took 2 of her kittens as the older residents loved them. less likely, but might still be worth a try?

tbh, I'm astonished you can't find homes for them.

Where do you live?

Free kittens can end up with dog fighters as bait though.

Friends and family is the first port of call. 8 cats is a lot of responsibility.

Do not give them away for free unless it's to friends or family who you really trust. Where do you live OP? There may be more charities that you can try. Find your local ones here: www.catchat.org

What are you going to do about neutering mum cat?

Definitely contact all the charities local and further afield to you. Unfortunately most places will have waiting lists so you may have a wait. Ideally mum and babies should go off to a charity together for rehoming (once vaccinated, neutered etc). Definitely do not give them away for free!

Well done for looking after her!
Definitely keep trying the cat charities - if you are near East London I can recommend a few.
I would mention that they are white and ginger too (charities often really struggle to find homes for black/black and white kittens but it's easier to find homes for other colours - sad but true).
Could you offer to foster the kittens and mum until they can go to new homes (usually around 9 weeks), if a rescue can help with the home checks, vaccines, neutering etc?

With regards to weaning - they will start self-weaning soon. Mum cat should ideally be fed kitten food whilst she has the kittens, use a shallow dish and the kittens will gradually start eating some of that.

I'm a sucker for strays, we've just made the household upto 6 cats thanks to a little ginger Tom cat from a farm, I neutered him expecting him to remain semi feral but after a nasty attack and many vet visits and house rest he seems to like the home life.
I think kittens would be relatively easy to re-home....are you sure Mummy can't stay with you? 4 cats isn't lots, just point people in my direction and say "I don't have as many as her so it's ok" the. I promise to always have 1 more cat than you, regardless of how many pregnant strays turn up!!!

I'm thinking our boy cat was £56 to neuter and as a girly she'll be more. I'd say £30 a kitten minimum and you can get Mummy neutered with the money (obviously increase the fee to cover any kitten vet fees) could the vets advertise for you?

Awww I want them! But we got our own kittens from Cats Protection League about 4 weeks ago. Have you tried all the charities? I can’t believe no-one will help! Have you tried family even if they’re not geographically close? As a child my parents took kittens from a family member who adopted a stray who turned out to be pregnant. Similarly she didn’t want to give them away to strangers.

If you're anywhere near Lancashire I can signpost you to a few places

They are beautiful. Just be aware that some all white cats can have issues with their hearing so make sure they get get checked thoroughly as they could be special needs.

I'd suggest Cats protection, they'll let them stay with you while they find homes, and usually will get them checked by the vet. They check out the homes of people they place with.
Our kitten came from Dd's school friend. He came to school with a picture of all the newborns and then they picked families and kept us updated until they were ready to leave the Mum.

@thecatneuterer will probably have some good advice. I would have thought the best move would be to give them to a cat rescue to home so that the homes will be vetted.

If you're in the UK anywhere near London, my fiancé and I are in a position to rescue one having just taken in a baby kitten of our own. She is spoilt and we guarantee your baby will be spoilt like our little one!

Aww thank you for the lovely messages and advice. I do live in London Catnip, perhaps you can pm me?

I will definitely hold them till they reach 8/9 weeks which Isn't long as they will be having their 4 week birthday tomorrow!

I rang quite a few cat shelters and it was the same story, it's kitten season and they are packed to the rafters.

I'm sure that loving homes are out there for them all, I want to do right by them.

If you're South London, I know of a couple of great smaller charities in Kent...

They are beautiful kittens.
Similar happened to us 3 weeks ago but the stray we were feeding gave birth behind the shed. A local cat rescue took them the same day -national RSPCA advised to leave them and once old enough they would just wander off. My mistake was I said stray cat rather than abandoned. Mummy cat again was only approx 7 months old.
Once they had gone I started to regret not just taking them in but then 4 out of 5 kittens died so was glad I didn't as I would have blamed myself. At least with the cat fosterer they got the best chance.
We have reserved mummy and the surviving ginger kitten.

Did you try Celia Hammond?

Oh they are gorgeous!!

They would be easy to rehome as everyone wants white or ginger kittens

Are you keeping mum?

I hope you so

@MrsBertBibby I've pm'd the OP to see if we can help. Waiting for a reply.

Fab.

I can take two kittens. Where do you live? I am in Berkshire.

What beautiful kittens - I hope they and their mum find lovely homes.