Wild Kittens

[buster]

We have about 5 kittens living outside near us in the woods. They are nesting in a deep hole. Really cute and very small. I called the Animal Shelter and they do not come out to catch cats.

The woman there told me to be very careful because they will bite and if I were to get bitten, and the cat got away, I'd end up in the hospital. She said I would have to get several shots.

Any tips on what to do? We have a big snow storm heading this way tonight. I fed them yesterday and got 1-2ft. away from them. I'm not sure if I should just let them go or try and snag one? LOL.

 

[mpvue]

target practice.

 

[CivicFan]

Let them be. They have been there so far - nature knows best.

If the Animal Shelter takes them, they will probably be gassed and killed anyway.

 

[Scienceman]

Originally Posted By: buster



I fed them yesterday





Suunds like we already know what you will do.

 

[01rangerxl]

They will try to bite, but it's fairly easy to get control of a kitten. Grab them by the scuff of their neck (loose skin) and they won't be able to do anything. That's how their mother would pick them up.

If you do get bit, you would need to get rabies shots, but unless the kittens go ballistic it's easy to avoid that. Wear some thick gloves, pick them up by the scruff, have a carrier ready to put them in, etc.

Feral cats are pretty skittish and the kittens may or may not let you get close to them depending on their age. They may already be too crazy to pick up, so a trap may be necessary if that's an option.

You may not be able to do anything for them, but if you can I would try to. The snow storm could definitely kill them.

 

[CivicFan]

BTW, where's the mother?

 

[bigmike]

Don't worry. A male cat will show up and kill them soon enough.

 

[getnpsi]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
BTW, where's the mother?

Off to make more kittens probably.

(resisting typing content to get myself disciplined )

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

Don't shoot them or don't let 'em die a very painful death of malnutrition & exposure...that's just ain't right.

Pick up your yellow pages, spend fifteen minutes calling vets in the area and ask them if there is anything they can do. We get calls like this a half-dozen times a year and we do what we can to make it right. We don't offer animal control services, but we'll bend over backwards to do free spays/neuters and give the person who brought them in free food (usually past-date stuff). We'll even put up a flier in our lobby, mention their availability to our clients and advise the "rescuer" about how to get rid of them (like Craig's List). Worse case scenario, we put them down in a humane way and write it off...

As for catching them, a cage or crate with a can of tuna or some raw hamburger is about a sure-fire as you can get. It just requires effort...and since you took the time to post this dilemma on BITOG, I figure you're well natured enough to at least give this a try.

Good luck.

 

[Herz]

Don't shoot them, they actually can turn out to be very good pest control. Don't try to pick them up either; I tried that once with some wild kittens and the mother cat destroyed my left hand. You can (if you live in a rural area) shoot some birds with a shot gun or 22. and toss it to them.

 

[buster]

I've done all that. It's not working. No idea where the mother is. The animal shelter will not come looking for cats. I'm going to keep trying to lour them into the crate and see if that works.

I just put a lot of food out for them. Most likely I will let it go. I can't afford to get bit right now and end up in the hospital. When I was a teenager I worked at a pet store. I've dealt with wild kittens and was never bit by one. I'm sure I could handle them but it may not be worth the risk right now.

 

[Herz]

Mom cat is out getting food of her own, she will be back. Unless shes dead.

 

[LS2JSTS]

If it were me, I'd stay away and let nature take it's course.

 

[Ndx]

God Bless u ... for trying to help them ...

People that are talking about shooting them - no comment ..

 

[JHZR2]

I wouldnt worry about it much - likely they are smarter than you think. They went into a hole - for protection and shelter from the elements. Below ground it is a bit warmer, and the ground will serve as insulation too. They will stay together, and they will keep themselves warm, at least a bit warmer.

If anything, Id create a cardboard lean-to supported by bricks/rocks, so it does not fly away easily. THis would prevent as much entry of the elements in the snowstorm, helping to keep warmth a bit longer. Other than that, just putting some food down there and leaving alone is the best bet.

You could try to be a hero and pull them out, but finding a home and doing it right, given the risks may not be in the cards between now and when there is no more sunlight...

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Let them be. They have been there so far - nature knows best.

If the Animal Shelter takes them, they will probably be gassed and killed anyway.


^^2nd

 

[Herz]

let us know how it goes.

 

[doitmyself]

I agree with letting nature take its course. It will be interesting to see which wins out.....the feral cats, song birds, or other wildlife.

You should use this chance to lobby against the moron humans that allow cats to roam free and create this dilemma. i like cats, but not in this situation.

 

[ueberooo]

I really agree with Ranger and JH's suggestions. I got my favorite kitten ever during a snowstorm, they were seeking shelter under a Burger king dumpster. A woman who worked there had very very quick hands and reactions, and very amazingly snagged one of the little ones, a little girl who brought a lot of joy.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

I wouldnt worry about it much - likely they are smarter than you think. They went into a hole - for protection and shelter from the elements. Below ground it is a bit warmer, and the ground will serve as insulation too. They will stay together, and they will keep themselves warm, at least a bit warmer.

If anything, Id create a cardboard lean-to supported by bricks/rocks, so it does not fly away easily. THis would prevent as much entry of the elements in the snowstorm, helping to keep warmth a bit longer. Other than that, just putting some food down there and leaving alone is the best bet.

You could try to be a hero and pull them out, but finding a home and doing it right, given the risks may not be in the cards between now and when there is no more sunlight...

 

[PandaBear]

capture, neuter, and release.