New farm two pregnant barn kitties. New pics 7/20

[moonlitoaksranch]

I just had a disturbing talk with a neighbor. Barn cats disappear at an alarming rate around here. She said it’s partly from hawks and eagles. That may explain how these females have had several litters between them and only two (feral) offspring remain. Those two shy males look just like the mothers. One is grey and the other is orange.

Kittens will need good indoor homes. I spoke with a local vet clinic about posting a notice in July. Also, the local pet store. What price is good? $15? $20? What is enough of a deterrent from the weirdos and creeps? They’ll have their first shots already. I cannot afford $50/$60 each for neutering/spaying eight kittens, though. Even if there was a local kitten spay/neuter program that could fit them in before rehoming them. It’s tight around here. I’ll be looking for responsible people who want indoor kitties. If they come through the vet’s office, that would be better.

[3PonyFarm]

We have some rescue groups around here that will have the cats stay at pet stores and feed mills to try to place in homes. The group screens anyone who is interested and sometimes handles any fees. Do you know if you have any groups around you like that?

[moonlitoaksranch]

I haven’t found anything like that. Alley Cat Allies didn’t have any suggestions either.

[rockymouse]

My take on the former owner and their desire for kittens is “Oh, I never heard from you and we got all the cats taken care of. Sorry!”

I rather think that you will not hear from them ever again. They said that they wanted kittens and, in that moment, perhaps they did. Unless they send word to you otherwise, I’d benignly disregard the request. The property has changed hands. The cats were left behind. They are a part of that property and they all belong to you.

You are absolved of trying to locate these folks, communicate with them, and give them kittens from mothers that you’ve cared for more than eight weeks. You have zero obligation to them regarding these animals. Chances are you won’t run into them anyway. Playing dumb - as in, “Gee, I didn’t hear from you again and I didn’t think you were serious. Sorry!” - is the adequate response. If they press you or try to make you feel guilty, just say the same phrase again and again if necessary.

[JanM]

I agree with you. I wouldn’t consider the former owners a suitable home.

Since there is at least one more female with more kittens, I definitely would forget any chance of giving a cat or kittens to the former owners. They didn’t even care about the barn cats.

[moonlitoaksranch]

They wanted more barn cats, but kittens would be eaten in a heartbeat. I’ll ask our agent. I don’t have a direct way to contact them anyway. I think she’ll say no obligation.

[moonlitoaksranch]

More trouble…

The feral males are fed in a dog bowl in front of a wooden box with a small hole where they sleep on cold nights. I assumed they were male. and the seller seemed to suggest they were. We were both wrong. The grey cat popped out of the box hissing this morning and backed up inside again. Did this several times while I was trying to feed the pony and refill the feral cat bowls with food and water. “She” acted just like the other two with newborns. No confirmation, but I suspect another litter arrived.

I can’t do anything with this feral female. I think we’ll swipe her kittens at some point so they can be tamed up, but in the meantime, they’ll have to just live outside with the mom. Deep sigh.

[moonlitoaksranch]

On the bright side, Polly lets us pet her kittens twice a day when we check on her. They mewed at first, but now they seem to accept hand petting and even push into our hands a little. Only a week old. That bodes well for the future.

Louisa is much more touchy. We can pet her, but kittens are still off limits. Maybe when they’re more mobile, she’ll calm down a little? How does that usually go?

The feral female with possible kittens is a complete unknown. We can’t even see inside and she is very protective. We’ll try to give her distance so she doesn’t move them. That box is safe.

We’re freaking drowning in freaking kittens! I pray that orange feral, that is slightly more friendly, is a male…

[trubandloki]

Oh my! You are busy!
See if you can find a TNR group to help guide you on that one.

[moonlitoaksranch]

I am in contact with them. Same group that will spay for $60.

[trubandloki]

They will likely know the best timing to trap and when to snag the kittens.

[moonlitoaksranch]

@trubandloki Per your suggestion, I contacted a local cat rescue for help with the feral mama and kittens. Hoping they can use their expertise to trap them and get them good homes. We offered to take the mama cat back, if they can get her spayed. Spaying two cats is hard enough right now. I have to keep checking back on this website to get an appointment for them. We’re in over our heads and need help.

Please, please, please, let that other feral orange kitty be a boy!!!

[trubandloki]

Jingles for you!

[ravenclaw]

Hang in there! Kittens are adorable but you definitely have more than your share. I don’t think much of the former owner. It’s not right that he left you and the cats in this situation.

If you have Venmo or Paypal, I will also make a donation to help with the kitty expenses.

[moonlitoaksranch]

That’s a lovely offer, Ravenclaw! Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I just don’t take money from people on the interwebz. We’ll get through this. I think letting a local rescue help out would be good. They might benefit from taming and adopting out some kittens.

If anyone is moved by these kittens and wants to help, please make a donation to a rescue local to you. Kitten season is everywhere!

[moonlitoaksranch]

Five more kittens. Mama stepped away so I got a few pictures.

[trubandloki]

You do have totally adorable kittens at least. So freaking cute. I wish I lived closer.

[Displaced_Yankee]

I have run out of fingers to count your kittens…plus 3 females and an (assumed) male. I’m so sorry this was dumped on you. I’d also like to help out, but will take your advice and donate locally here in NC.

[3PonyFarm]

You are earning your Angel wings here on earth looking after all these families.
My friend ended up with a bunch of pregnant strays too and although she is not an official rescue, her local vet is giving her a huge rate reduction for spay/neuter and vaccinations. I hope you can find a similar situation.
Everyone is sure cute!

[moonlitoaksranch]

Seller: By there way, there are four barn cats. We decided not to take the two tame ones, so they are all still here.

Me: Oh, okay. Do they have names?

Seller: No, not really, just grey cat and orange cat.

Me: Okay. Are they fixed?

Seller: No, and two are heavily pregnant. They could have kittens in the next few weeks.

Me: Oh. Well, okay…um, I guess we’ll have to handle that…

Four cats turned into twelve cats really fast. Now, five more kittens, for a total of seventeen cats. If anyone wants to see why spaying and neutering is a good idea, here you go…