Kittens under the Porch!!

[person of shadow]

I was out in the front yard with one of the chihuahuas and he went under the steps. All of a sudden I heard a yip and a hiss. I have a cat from across the road over in my yard. Well I took a flashlight and looked in a whole under the porch. Kittens!

There look to be at least 3(from what I have seen) kittens under there. I think they are around 3 weeks old. I've talked to them and they look out. I've reached my hand through the whole and they don't run(But I can't reach them) Mom is very protective. Hisses alot.

At what age do they start coming out?(I live on a buisy road and don't want her takingthem across to look for food. I've placed some outside for her.

I haven't had a litter of kittens since I was about 5.

From what I have seen. All the kittens are white with spots(Mom is too) One is gorgeous! He is kinda like a tabby but he is tan with spots, no stripes spots! (aroudn the white of course)

Any information on when and if I can get them tame that I should do? What is the best age for me to take them away from mom to find a home?

I'm going to ask some people around to see if the mom is theirs( I doubt people will say they own her because they don't want to deal with kittens)

I can't keep any, I jsut want to say that.

[person of shadow]

Also, I had a friend over looking at them. She said that they seem to really like my voice and seem calm around me. I have never messed with them before today and still haven't handled or touch them.

[Shanti]

8 weeks to take them from mom. If you take them to early mom could get mastitis real bad.

All you can do is be friends with them keep food available and wait till they are eating dry foods all on their own. Hopefully when they are ready they will trust you and let you take them without a prob. they should if they are used to you and your their food source when mom is done.
Oh feed and be nice to mom or she may move the kittens on you.

[halfwaynowhere]

they should start exploring and walking around at around 4 weeks. They can go to homes away from mom at 8 weeks. If you can get to them before that, it would be best, so they can be tamed. I have read that after 8-12 weeks, if they aren't used to being around people, they are feral, but I can't say for sure. Good luck with the kitties, keep us posted!

[Shanti]

they should start exploring and walking around at around 4 weeks. They can go to homes away from mom at 8 weeks. If you can get to them before that, it would be best, so they can be tamed. I have read that after 8-12 weeks, if they aren't used to being around people, they are feral, but I can't say for sure. Good luck with the kitties, keep us posted!
If the kits are taken before moms milk is drying up enough or she risk mastitis which could kill her without treatment. I don't think its right to risk the health of the mother to take the kits early.
They'll be tame if someone takes the time to be around, especially with food stuff in hand...soft foods at first that smell yummy like tuna.
Might even gain moms trust too.

[person of shadow]

If I can catch mom and the kittens, do you think it would be ok to keep them in a large dog crate in my rabbit building? There are alot of outdoor animals around here that I'm afraind will smell the food I leave out for htem(I take it away at night) I would hate for something to kill the kittens.

Plus I would like to, if noone claims mom, try to find her a home.

[halfwaynowhere]

If the kits are taken before moms milk is drying up enough or she risk mastitis which could kill her without treatment. I don't think its right to risk the health of the mother to take the kits early.
They'll be tame if someone takes the time to be around, especially with food stuff in hand...soft foods at first that smell yummy like tuna.
Might even gain moms trust too.

I didn't mean to take them away from mom early. I meant that if its possible for the mom and kittens are taken in together, so the kittens can get used to people, and being handled, so they can be tame. I would never suggest to take young away from their mother too early, unless it were absolutely necessary for health reasons.

[person of shadow]

Also, some tameing, saftey and adoption energies would be great!

(I really want to get these guys and find them a home, I don't want them on the street)

[Shanti]

Mom would probably be stressed in a kennel and then she could refuse to feed her babies, causing herself to get sick. You'd be best if mom could have freedom in a house, basement...something where she is safe but not with the feeling of being tightly trapped. Heck a basement would prob have her feeling trapped but not as bad as a kennel. She could run and find her own safe hiding place in a house or basement where she can 'hide' her kits.

Dont trust her near your buns...she may know how to hunt a rabbit.

I dont know how wild she is or how long she has been wild.
If she is very wild she could even be a danger to you once she is trapped.

Ferral cats can be so unpredictable.

A kennel is a risk, if thats the only way you can go...you may have some big probs. If your prepared for the possibilities I wrote...good luck.

Risk with a kennel...
She could get sick.
She could become very aggressive and hurt someone.
She may hurt a kit/s.
She could abandon the kits with the above happening too.

Oh she could give your buns fleas.

[person of shadow]

Ok, thanks for all the warnings. I think the best thing to do is leave her be, and when the kittens are tame, find them a home and possible see if theres anyone who would like a barn cat, out in the country far from buisy roads.

I would put her in the house, but I don't want to risk it with my cats and dogs and other critters.

[person of shadow]

Well, A friend saw 2 of the kittens on the road. They almost got hit!

I have one female and one male now in the front room.Still waiting to see if I can catch the other 1or 2. I think I was wrong about age, I think they are around 4-5 weeks not 3. I'll get pictures when I can. They are settling in their cage in the front room. The male seems ok with being held. He's very curious. The female is hissing a little.

[person of shadow]

Well, they are no longer scared of people. The male is Very clingy!


http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0114.jpghttp://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0113.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0112.jpghttp://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0109.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0107.jpghttp://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0104.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0095.jpghttp://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0093.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0092.jpg
(I can't get this one to shrink for some reason)
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u187/fsrabbitry/PHOT0080.jpg

[person of shadow]

In the bottom picture. The one with the even black on it's face is the male. Also he his the one on the right. SO that would make the one with more white on the face the female.

[Cindlady2]

Awwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

[Shanti]

Did you get mom? If she showed them the way to the road, she may get hit, if she hasnt already.

Glad you got those kits before something bad happened. Hope you get the rest. Let us know how its going.

Are the eating soft food? I hope so that would be so much better if they are old enough to do that.

[Willow Rosette]

Ohhhhh baby kitties. They are adorable. Sending safe energies for mom and the other babies.

[person of shadow]

Did you get mom? If she showed them the way to the road, she may get hit, if she hasnt already.

Glad you got those kits before something bad happened. Hope you get the rest. Let us know how its going.

Are the eating soft food? I hope so that would be so much better if they are old enough to do that.
No I couldn't get mom :( . I'm trying, but I can't get close to her.

Yes they are eating canned food. I also give them a little milk and syrup mixed. When I get them real young(any mammal), I feed them milk/syrup/egg mixed together. But these ones seem fine.

[SSanf]

They are adorable.

[AutumnWitchie]

They're so adorable! My stray mama cat brought her kittens up to my storage building yesterday. She gave birth about 3 weeks ago under the storage building but then moved the babies. I thought the kittens wouldn't survive but all but 1 has. There are 3 gingers, 1 calico and a black & white one. Three females and 2 male I think. They are all plump and sassy, hissing fur balls. The mama cat doesn't care if I handle the wee ones as long as I don't touch her. I'll get pictures when I get a chance.

[person of shadow]

I have to share this picture I think it is cute.

Here is the male with my great dane.

Sorry it's blurry

[Shanti]

OMG that is adorable.

[Sennefer]

:smile: Yes, that certainly is most adorable! Both of the kitties are so cute!

[HetHert]

C'est adorable!!!

Hope your able to help the other kitten and mama. :)

[Catiana]

that is so cute.

[person of shadow]

Well the Male has Found a Home!

Now I just need to find one for the female.

[person of shadow]

Both Kittens are gone now.

[Shanti]

Congrats on successful home finding. :)