Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

I've got visitors and I could do with advice

30 replies

FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 20/07/2021 09:10

I could do with some advice about whether to feed them or not. I've googled local rescues but I don't know if that's jumping the gun at this point.

I've seen the mother cat about my garden and at one point she was a bit scratched as if she had been in a fight but then healed and seemed fine since then.

I got the impression she was young but she's back now with two kittens. She was a bit wary and wouldn't come close before but she came up to my door as if looking for food this morning so I gave her some plain chicken and offered water but she'd no interest in the water.

I'd assumed she belonged to someone but is that likely with two kittens? They seem very young and were sleeping under the tree in the shade when I first came down. None of them look especially skinny to my eyes but I don't know anything about cats really.

I've got visitors and I could do with advice
OP posts:
VodkaSlimline · 20/07/2021 09:13

Feed them! And post more kitten pictures!

Em8725 · 20/07/2021 09:16

This is adorable!

Put a paper collar on mum if you can get close enough without scaring her away. Put your number on it so if she goes home her owners will know where she is. If you get no response take her to a vet for a chip check (with the kittens).

Then offer to keep them and you’ll have those beautiful kittens 😍

violetbunny · 20/07/2021 09:19

Chances are she's a stray but if you wanted to be sure you could put a paper collar on her (if you can get close enough) with your contact details. Ultimately the best way to check is to take them to a vet to scan for a chip, but appreciate that will be tricky as there are 3 cats and I wouldn't want to separate them.

FlowerArranger · 20/07/2021 09:21

She may be young, but my last kitty was pregnant at 4.5 months... It's a jungle out there...

You have 2 options:-

Adopt them all and have them checked out by a vet.

Contact RSPCA or local cat rescue group.

Original poster
FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 20/07/2021 09:30

I'll feed them, but what should I feed them? It looked like the kittens are still getting milk from her. She's not confident enough to come close to me but the paper collar is a good idea if she lets me closer in time.

They are adorable and heart melting but I'm
allergic to cats and dogs and pretty much any animal with fur, they just make me a hot itchy sneezing mess if I'm indoors with them so I don't see me adopting them as a possibility really...

OP posts:
Warmduscher · 20/07/2021 09:32

I would contact Cats Protection for advice about what to do.

Original poster
FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 20/07/2021 09:32

Sorry, was child wrangling and I missed the last two posts as I was typing the last.

I don't have any way of getting them to a vet, no boxes or anything and I'm not sure I could drive with them in the car without sneezing too much to be dangerous so it sounds like contacting a rescue might be best then.

OP posts:
Blueberrycreampie · 20/07/2021 09:47

Look on Facebook for local cat rescuers eg our local one is: Ashford fluffy's lost and found ( sic). You will find some kind people only too willing to help I'm sure. Local CP L as well. In fact post on local Facebook site anyway for help. Eg google Facebook 'Newtown' for example. Good Luck!

thecatneuterer · 20/07/2021 11:01

Of course you should feed them, and they almost certainly don't belong to anyone. How tame are they? What happens if you approach them? Can you touch any of them?

You should feed them cat food and leave a bowl of water always in the garden, even if you don't see them eat it.

You need to contact a rescue quickly or mother cat will be giving birth again, and the kittens will soon be pregnant.

Where in the country are you? Cats Protection is a good bet. RSPCA don't help with this sort of thing. If you can't find a rescue, but you can touch them, then you'll need to get them in for neutering. Ask local vets about free stray neutering schemes if money is a problem, and you'll need to borrow a proper carrier.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 20/07/2021 11:38

TCN - OP is sadly allergic - someone will have to come and catch the cats - she can't get them to the vet.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 20/07/2021 11:46

Try the smaller local cat rescues before the bigger ones OP. They're often more helpful and more likely to respond.

RSPCA are shit unless there's publicity and a chance to take in some serious cash.

iknowimcoming · 20/07/2021 12:07

Do you have local Facebook group? Post the picture on there and ask if they belong to anyone

thecatneuterer · 20/07/2021 12:52

I'll ask again. Where in the country are you?

YesItsMeIDontCare · 20/07/2021 13:03

OP was on at 9:30 TCN, so she might not be available to answer atm. Might be worth "@ ing" her for when she is?

DragonWillow · 20/07/2021 13:04

feed them & leave them out lots of water in this weather

Wolfiefan · 20/07/2021 13:08

Also worth checking local FB groups. See if anyone recognises them. Or a rescue may come and scan for a chip.

thecatneuterer · 20/07/2021 13:14

@YesItsMeIDontCare

OP was on at 9:30 TCN, so she might not be available to answer atm. Might be worth "@ ing" her for when she is?
Oh yeah! I'm so tired I somehow thought the OP had been back on numerous times since then. I'm obviously hallucinating:)
Original poster
FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 20/07/2021 13:48

I'm in Belfast.

Haven't had a chance to ring round yet, my DS had to go for his jabs this morning. I've found a local Cats protection and the Assisi animal shelter online. There was a woman with a Facebook page for cat rescue but it seemed a bit dubious tbh so I'll ring the first two when I get a minutes peace.

OP posts:
Original poster
FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 20/07/2021 15:06

I gave cats protection a ring and they were very good. I've to give them food and water but the lady on the phone reckoned they were feral or semi feral and it wouldn't be possible to re-home them. The shelters list has closed yesterday and they have 80 cats waiting for spaces Shock

I've to try to confirm they've no owner by asking about and then ring them back and they'll try to humanely trap them to neuter and release.

OP posts:
NothingIsWrong · 20/07/2021 15:08

Ahhhh if I were nearer I would totally take them.

Blueberrycreampie · 20/07/2021 16:54

@NothingIsWrong

Ahhhh if I were nearer I would totally take them.
Yes that's how I got my cats!
NothingIsWrong · 20/07/2021 17:12

I'd happily have all three if I could get them to Oxfordshire!

thecatneuterer · 20/07/2021 18:37

Fantastic. I'm glad CP are on the case. I have no knowledge of or contacts in NI so couldn't have suggested anything else. I think you're wasting your time trying to find owners as they are obviously semi-feral. So, once they're neutered, you need to get them a shelter and keep on feeding, and then you will have the perfect cats for someone with allergies:) - ie ones that don't come in or come close - but you'll still have all the fun of watching them.

Original poster
FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 20/07/2021 18:45

Hopefully that's going to be the case Grin I've always wanted a cat or dog without the side affects Smile

I spoke to my neighbour before dinner and she's been feeding them and ringing around to find an owner without any luck so we've agreed I'll ring cats protection back tomorrow.

She's been trying to get close to the mother cat for a while but it's too nervous so with luck the humane traps will work and in the meantime I'll buy kitten food too.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 20/07/2021 18:47

You don't need to buy special kitten food. It's basically all the same stuff. Any cat food is fine for kittens too - especially big kittens such as those.

Swipe left for the next trending thread