Heidi
04-29-2006, 07:28 PM
My latest project, nurturing...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/78SilvAnniv/my%20kitties/na.jpg
Neighbor and her hubby went to look at a rural house under construction and heard a momcat and her kittens in the overhead ductwork. House was soon to be sheetrocked and the animals would have been trapped/died in the ductwork if undiscovered by the crew.
They had to dismantle part of the system to remove the three kittens. Mother was feral and ran off. When they called me and asked what to do, I told them if they removed the kittens and put them in a place the mother would find them, she'd just return them to the ductwork and they'd be in the same fix...so I advised them to bring the kittens to me to hand-rear. I have kitten bottles/nipples and kitten milk replacer (kmr).
I feel bad for the momcat having to lose her babies, but they are better off not being in the ducts or being mishandled by a construction crew.
I have had the babies for 18 hours and each has eaten and pottied when I rubbed their hinnies with a soft towel. 2 girls, 1 boy who are about 14-18 days old (eyes just opened and ears begining to unfold). I'll foster them until they are about 3-5 months old and then turn them over to a cat rescue/adoption organization. This org pays for the shots and spay/neuter, I provide a foster home, food and transportation to their various medical appointments until they are ready for the adoption program.
One kitten caught on to the bottle right away last night. Another kitten caught on with the 1st morning feeding and the 3rd kitten caught on at the next feeding. I think they're gonna do just fine. They are very active when awake and the housekitties are all curious about them. Only one is being growl-y at them (the indoor/outdoor).
I have many adult cats, and by fostering, I get to play with kittens. I fall in love with them, but I can't keep them all or I'd be over-run. At least this way, I get them when they are the cutest. :D
Heidi
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/78SilvAnniv/my%20kitties/na.jpg
Neighbor and her hubby went to look at a rural house under construction and heard a momcat and her kittens in the overhead ductwork. House was soon to be sheetrocked and the animals would have been trapped/died in the ductwork if undiscovered by the crew.
They had to dismantle part of the system to remove the three kittens. Mother was feral and ran off. When they called me and asked what to do, I told them if they removed the kittens and put them in a place the mother would find them, she'd just return them to the ductwork and they'd be in the same fix...so I advised them to bring the kittens to me to hand-rear. I have kitten bottles/nipples and kitten milk replacer (kmr).
I feel bad for the momcat having to lose her babies, but they are better off not being in the ducts or being mishandled by a construction crew.
I have had the babies for 18 hours and each has eaten and pottied when I rubbed their hinnies with a soft towel. 2 girls, 1 boy who are about 14-18 days old (eyes just opened and ears begining to unfold). I'll foster them until they are about 3-5 months old and then turn them over to a cat rescue/adoption organization. This org pays for the shots and spay/neuter, I provide a foster home, food and transportation to their various medical appointments until they are ready for the adoption program.
One kitten caught on to the bottle right away last night. Another kitten caught on with the 1st morning feeding and the 3rd kitten caught on at the next feeding. I think they're gonna do just fine. They are very active when awake and the housekitties are all curious about them. Only one is being growl-y at them (the indoor/outdoor).
I have many adult cats, and by fostering, I get to play with kittens. I fall in love with them, but I can't keep them all or I'd be over-run. At least this way, I get them when they are the cutest. :D
Heidi