Sorry to hijack this thread, Dawn, but need some advice. Went into local shop yesterday and again today and the shopkeeper mentioned some cats that he and the chemist were feeding. He wanted advice. I went to see the woman at the chemist who told me that there was a family of cats 'you can't get near to' in the back gardens. She was especially concerned because there were already two litters (some she'd had recently, and an older set) and she thought the queen was pregnant again.
She was going to phone the RSPCA, but considering what peeps have said on Purrs, I recommended CP and told her I'd take some numbers tomorrow. It was passed six when I got home, but I rang the CP anyway and was told that the nearest branch had too much on at the mo, but was given a number to ring tomorrow.
I asked what they would do with the cats/kittens. The CP woman said TNR. This would be fine in the summer, but it's getting so cold for ferals to be outside.
I don't think the queen has been feral for long. I think she's part of the mass of 'dumped' cats from June, when last year's students left. I think she's probably still tameable. (Polly was feral for six years, but has tamed.)
Would the CP return them in such cold weather? Surely room could be found somewhere, and the kittens homed. I'm tempted to take the mum myself even though I haven't seen her.
I don't really know how CP work. Any advice would be welcome.
