We have kittens, five little kittens that are about 3 weeks old. When you live on a farm and have outdoor cats, you naturally end up with more cats who find their way to your place…which is what happened to us.
Momma kitty showed up along with a black and white tom cat we named Patches. Momma kitty is feral and hasn’t let us get more than 4 or 5 feet from her but she is friends with Patches and our neutered male, Red. She has been brave enough to come up to the deck.
We suspected right away that she was pregnant. We knew one option was to live trap her and take her in to be spayed which would have terminated the pregnancy. But when I got quiet and asked what we should do, I heard, “let her have the kittens”. Once they are old enough we will trap her and have her spayed. Patches will be neutered too. This is life in the country.
She originally had the kittens in the hay shed where we build tunnels in the hay to provide warm nests for the cats in the winter. She had them tucked in one of the tunnels. We respected her privacy and tried to be very quiet while in the shed. Eventually she moved them from the hay tunnel and put them under a pallet that had supported hay bales. Her next move was out of the hay shed and in a space in the horses’ lean-to attached to the barn. Between the metal side of the barn and the pine wall that lines the lean-to is a space of about 10”. The wall is about 4 feet high. Becky saw her move them and then I was able to peek at the kittens for the first time. Sadly, I could see there was one little calico runt who looked near death. That evening, the littlest had passed. Momma kitty moved them again to the same space only on the other side of the lean-to.
Today I decided to talk with Momma Kitty. I wanted to know if there was anything we could do for her and to let her know (again) we only want to help her and the kittens.
Wendy: We want to help you and we want you to know we would never harm you or your babies. We think you are a very good mother and doing a wonderful job. Are you sad about the kitten that died?
Momma Kitty: My concern is for the ones who are alive…that’s why I moved them. I didn’t want them to become ill…they need me. Thank you for the food it has been helpful. I prefer what I catch but with an easy source of food I don’t have to work as hard and my babies get more milk from me.
Wendy: How did you find us?
Momma Kitty: Patches told me there was food, water and a warm place here. I think Red told him.
Wendy: Is Patches the father of the babies?
Momma Kitty: Yes.
Wendy: Did you know there is a fox near here? I wouldn’t want you or the babies to get caught by the fox.
Momma Kitty: Yes, we all know. We are careful but I don’t think the fox is a real threat, I can out maneuver him.
Wendy: I want you to know that I can hear the animals, including you so if you ever need anything, please call on me. We want you and your kittens to have a happy healthy life.
Momma Kitty: Thank you. I am beginning to trust you humans but I am not quite ready to be touched yet.
Wendy: Okay, we will respect that. Please let me know if you need help.
I love that Momma Kitty is focusing on taking care of the kittens she has and not on the one who was lost. We can all learn something from her… see what is in front of you, focus on what you have, not what you don’t have and care for the ones who need you. Another lesson on being in the present moment.
In about 7-8 weeks we will have some kittens available to good homes. Let me know if you are interested.
AWWWWW! I want babies!!!
Now if I didn’t know any better, the black/white one looks like a skunk baby! 🙂 There is nothing like babies to make you smile. It’s life affirmation to the fullest. Enjoy those funny moments with the little ones. I am known as the pied piper at the barn because all 9 cats (tom cats included) follow me when I come. It really is funny. Even the ones that usually are skittish will come and want to be loved on – of course on their terms! They are cats afterall. I always respected them saying “no” and it’s paying off now. I learned to never force my company on any living being. They do know your intentions most of the time.
Thanks for sharing – the picture just made me smile.
Daniela
I also have a feral cat who had one kitten. I trapped mama in a live trap where she has ben living for approx. two weeks. She is very upset but I don’t know what I can do for her. I don’t want to dispose of her but she is showing no signs of wanting to become friends. The baby is in the house doing well. With only having one kitten I was afraid that it would die from being cold and alone. Please advise.
Thanks
First, I would let her know that her baby is okay. Get quiet, go to your heart center and connect with her heart center. Then let her know that you have taken her baby to keep her safe. Let her know that you understand she is scared and frustrated and that you want to help her. I would then get her spayed either through the local vet, humane society or a feral cat rescue group. Once she has recovered, I would release her or get more advice from a feral cat group. Some feral cats want to be feral. We need to honor that they understand the risks they are taking by living outside. The best we can do is get them spayed, help them to recover and then release them. Hope this helps Kathy.