Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Rescue & Rehoming General => Topic started by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 13:58:29 PM

Title: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 13:58:29 PM
I've just crossposted this, Debbie can take the cats at a push but ideally we need someone who can take on a couple of the kittens to lessen the burden.  Can anyone help  ;)  At a push, I will take 2 kittens but ideally I don't want to as I'm chocca and hubby will kill me  :shocked:  Anyway the link and post is below  ;)

http://www.catchat.org/forum/discus/show.cgi?17/92539


Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum, I thought I would tell you all my story as any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

The house nextdoor to us has been empty for five years, and the garden becoming increasingly overgrown. Last weekend, my husband and I were about to drench the nextdoor garden in weed killer as the thorns and brambles are about 7ft high and coming over into our garden. So, my husband went over the garden wall because he wanted to try and trample it all down first... and to our surprise, we discovered a little family living in there.

There is mum and four little kittens, I can only *guess* that the kittens are about 7/8 weeks old... We didn't know what to do for the best with them, none of them would come anywhere near us, including mum, and so for a few days we just kept an eye on them from a distance.

However, on Monday, I decided I had to do something when I looked out of my window into the back garden: the poor kittens were so hungry, they had managed to climb up a 6ft birdtable, and they were eating the birdfood I had just put out :0( they must have been starving. I decided then that something had to be done, so I spent the whole day trying to catch them...

By the end of Monday, I had managed to lure the mum and three of the kittens into our shed using food as bait, but unfortunately, one kitten, the smallest, spent the entire night alone outside as we could not get it. We could hear it all night crying for the rest of its family, so at 6am the next morning my husband and I went back out, we put a cat lead on mum and managed to use her to lure the kitten into the shed!

So, now, we have the whole family safe and well and together in the shed. It is a VERY large shed, so they have plenty of room. We have been feeding them, etc, since Monday, and they are all looking very healthy and bright-eyed, but unfortunately, we can not keep them. We already have a dog and two cats of our own, and feeding five extra cats is already crippling us financially!! It's been a real struggle.

I have contacted our local Cats' Protection who have put them on the waiiting list... but my main concern is the kittens. They have obviously never had contact with humans, and they are feral with a vengeance! They will not let us near them, if you try to reach out to touch them they hiss at you and run away. We've had them since Monday and still have not yet managed to touch them... How are we supposed to tame them? We are hoping that we might be able to rehome them ourselves, to take the strain off Cat's Protection, who are already over-run, but we cannot rehome them like they are now... Does anyone have any advice?

We think mum must have been a pet at some time, because she is happy to come for a fuss and be picked up, we are booking her in with the vet on Monday to be spayed and check for any microchip... but even taking the kittens to a vet for check-ups seems impossible when we cannot yet get near them...

Sorry for going on...!

Claire x
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: LesleyW on June 26, 2008, 14:29:42 PM
I've got room for a couple if you need a hand and we can arrange to get them down here - I must be due a visit to see you anyway and I still haven't posted your slippery elm, look at it every morning sitting on the windowsill :-[
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 14:32:23 PM
If I get 2 then and we'll sort out for a meet up, how does that grab you and then I don't need to take any  :evillaugh:  or could you take the 4 kittens  :naughty:  They look to be about 3/4 months, piccies are on CC  ;)
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 14:34:13 PM
 :waiting:  :gimme:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: LesleyW on June 26, 2008, 14:35:31 PM
I suppose if I don't tell hubby straightaway I could take the four, Tarka's pen is free and is big enough for four.  He keeps moaning at how many we have, but five of them are reserved and someone is coming to look at little Beau on Saturday.  I notice there is a Ginger, don't tell me the rest are black and white :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: LesleyW on June 26, 2008, 14:36:13 PM
GIVE ME A CHANCE TO POST  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 14:37:38 PM
 :cuddle:  You're a little hun, can't remember what colours they are, I'll have to look  :evillaugh:

GIVE ME A CHANCE TO POST  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

You're too bloody slow and I haven't got time  :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 14:39:07 PM
I notice there is a Ginger, don't tell me the rest are black and white :rofl:

 :innocent:  I think so  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: LesleyW on June 26, 2008, 14:43:08 PM
I'm definitely going to change my name to the Black and White Rescue Club. :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 15:21:53 PM
I've emailed Debbie to tell her you will take the kittens, all I need to do now is sort out some finances to pick them up as I am skint and I've still got to sort Phoebe out for going to Lincolnshire  :shocked:  She may be able to take them all til next week and then I can collect from her, I'll speak to her later and then let you know  :hug:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: LesleyW on June 26, 2008, 15:44:36 PM
I'll fit in with whatever you need and if I can cut any of the journey out for you let me know, I am at your disposal :Luv2: :Luv2:.  Just told hubby about kittens, you know what I owe him now :censored:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 15:47:19 PM
  Just told hubby about kittens, you know what I owe him now :censored:

 :sick:  :rofl:  :rofl:  :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: LesleyW on June 26, 2008, 15:50:47 PM
  Just told hubby about kittens, you know what I owe him now :censored:

 :sick:  :rofl:  :rofl:  :rofl:

I knew you would use :sick:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 15:58:59 PM
I would do anything for my cats apart from that  :rofl:  :rofl:  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn F on June 26, 2008, 16:03:39 PM
its amazing what you can find out about people!!!!!
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: madkittyrescue on June 26, 2008, 16:07:23 PM
lol... if you need me to take a couple guys and we can sort out transport to get them a bit further north then I can take them. Just let me know! :)

Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 26, 2008, 16:09:28 PM
its amazing what you can found out about people!!!!!

It's amazing what you don't know about Lesley and her methods of persuasion  :rofl:  :rofl:  :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: madkittyrescue on June 26, 2008, 16:12:46 PM
mmm but do we want to know! ;)  lol :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 26, 2008, 16:49:47 PM
I can do a leg of the driving if you like. PM me. Otherwise can whoever's taking them pm me and I'll slip you a little something for petrol  ;) I feel the need to help as these are local but our branch just can't seem to shift cats at the moment  :(
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on June 26, 2008, 23:47:11 PM
If only my other half were easy to get around.  :sigh: I tried asking if we could get a doggie again tonight and his reply wasn't physically possible.  :Dont know:

Lesley, you're a saint. I'm going nuts with just the 2 kittens in the house. But I do know what you mean about Black and Whites. I haven't seen a tabby since last September! :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 27, 2008, 13:49:30 PM
There's been a change of plan but I'm hoping for a little help off Corporal Smokey which I've pm'd her about  :innocent:  I've had an email off Jane from the Algernon Trust and she's offered to take the little ones.  She's dropping off 3 dogs at Second Chance in Derby on Sunday, so we're trying to sort it to get the kittens to there to meet her rather than her going into the centre of Derby to collect.  She will have done a lot of travelling so I'm hoping there's some way of minimising it with Corporal Smokey's help  ;)  I will update once I hear back from her. 

Update on the mum cat Debbie had to remove the mum cat last night from Claires.  She was getting quite nasty with the kittens so I think she's near her due date.  Debbie has sorted her a pen out and will keep me posted, she said she's settled down well but she's very quiet and timid bless her.  I've spoke to Claire this morning and the kittens are fine, Debbie reckons they are about 14-16 weeks old so are old enough to be away from mum  :Luv2:  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 27, 2008, 16:03:31 PM
I'm here and ready! Let's do it!
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 27, 2008, 16:04:27 PM
 :Flowers:  :cuddle:  :cuddle:  :Luv2:  :Luv2:

Modified to add Are you any good at catching feral kittens?  They are in a shed so shouldn't be too difficult  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: madkittyrescue on June 27, 2008, 16:51:30 PM
superb guys!  glad you managed to get this sorted.  Good luck for getting the wee family to safety! ;)
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 27, 2008, 19:38:23 PM


Modified to add Are you any good at catching feral kittens?  They are in a shed so shouldn't be too difficult  :evillaugh:

You'll be lucky! I'm a senior kittizen rescuer! I'll try though. Has the lady I'm meeting got carriers? I can borrow some but need to give them back. Also how many carriers do I need? I can see this being fun...
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 27, 2008, 19:45:07 PM
 :evillaugh:  :evillaugh:  I'll make sure she has carriers with her and I would think you would get away with one large carrier or maybe better with 2 if you want to put 2 kittens in each, whatever you feel comfortable doing  :)
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 27, 2008, 19:51:13 PM
I reckon 2 in 2 might be less stressfull for the kits but I've not dealt with babes like this before. I have a picture of me now sitting in the Hilton Car Park (my hair freshly done for mum's wedding) wrestling cats around my little Polo trying to swap cages over, at the same time trying to avoid adding to my scratched arms so I don't look like I've been dragged from a hedge in my bridesmaid dress...

All in a day's work though eh?  :evillaugh:

Oh and OH has just spray-tanned me so I may well be some kind of tango-ginger-tortie colour by then...
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 27, 2008, 20:21:16 PM
 :rofl:  :rofl:  :rofl: I wish I could be there to see it  :evillaugh:  I'm sure you'll be fine hun  :naughty:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: madkittyrescue on June 27, 2008, 22:21:48 PM
you'll be fine! ;)   good on you for helping though CS! :hug:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 28, 2008, 16:48:44 PM
Right I've spoken to the two ladies involved and I'm going in! The kittens will be wrestled at about half four tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 29, 2008, 19:02:49 PM
Any news   :)
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Pinkbear (Julie) on June 29, 2008, 19:51:49 PM
Any news   :)

I think I saw on News 24 that a person by the name of Corporal Smokey is being held hostage by 4 kittens in a garage. The kittens are demanding a Dominoes Pizza with extra Pepperoni, a pint of Jersey cream and a fully fuelled helicopter or the hooman gets it.  :sneaky:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on June 29, 2008, 22:45:53 PM
Any news   :)

I think I saw on News 24 that a person by the name of Corporal Smokey is being held hostage by 4 kittens in a garage. The kittens are demanding a Dominoes Pizza with extra Pepperoni, a pint of Jersey cream and a fully fuelled helicopter or the hooman gets it.  :sneaky:

 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 30, 2008, 01:53:12 AM
Don't joke you 'orrible lot. Look at the time. I have just got back from A & E, thumb covered in iodine and bandages, a tetanus shot and antibiotics in tow.

Kitten rescue, ur doin it rong.

Srsly though. All of the kittens made it to their new home this afternoon (evening for the one that got away...) which eventually was Second Chance Rescue in Derby. This is the wonderful rescue Ela posted about a week or two ago at risk of closure. It is a wonderful place and the lady, Jo who looks after business there helped me to get the last kitten out of my car.

Three kits were no problem. I shut me and them in the car to change carriers. I didn't realise the fourth little blighter would escape my clutches and make a house in my wiring. Four hours and a catch pole it took to get him out. OH had to drive about five miles with the poor thing wedged in by my hand. We had to dismantle bits of my car too!

Now, if you'll excuse me I'd like to get back to my senior kittizens...


...and my lacerated hand...


did someone say pizza?
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 30, 2008, 02:55:56 AM
 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Are these kittens staying at Second Chance now or are they still going with Jane to the Algernon Trust  :shify:  Either way, both places are fab anyway and well done and big  :hug: and  :Flowers: for being so brave and helping  :Luv2:  :Luv2:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 30, 2008, 15:24:14 PM
How are you doing hun?   I hope you're feeling a little less sore today  :hug:  :hug:  Cat bites are the worse, I remember I scruffed a feral a few years ago, omg the pain he inflicted on me, I ended up with a broken bone in my finger, gouges down both my arms and my belly and my arm and hand bandaged for a week and I couldn't drive  :Crazy:  And did I learn.........no  :evillaugh:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Millys Mum on June 30, 2008, 16:08:13 PM
Well done on your adventure, so whens your next one booked for?  :rofl:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: dabs on June 30, 2008, 16:23:48 PM
I am glad that they are safe. I am the fosterer that took mum and one look at the evil eye I was getting off those kittens when I went to get mum was enough to make me think, they are not going to play by the  :rules:

Mum is doing well although we are still pondering if mum is pregnant again or playing at it!

Took her to the vets and he hummed and aahed, "Yes, she is, I can feel a large kitten, no she isn't, perhaps it is her bladder, but then again, it is too high up for her bladder, perhaps I cannot feel anything there at all!"  :Crazy:

So I have decided to watch her and see. Let's put it like this, she has pinked up, not a sure sign I know, seeing she has just finished with a litter. She is eating very well, will down 4 pouches a day and biscuits and has a bit of a tummy and this is before the extra dinners. Extremely fussly, but again not a sure sign as we do not know what she is like normally and she has settled in a kittening box. So shall we take bets on whether she is or not?
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 30, 2008, 16:47:04 PM
Great to see you on here Debbie  :hug:  :hug:  Glad mum is okay and praying that she isn't pregnant but it's unlikely with the age of her brood  :tired: You'll have to give us regular updates and  :rules: state we need piccies  :evillaugh:  Lovely talking to you the other day btw and thanks for helping with these babes  :hug:  :hug:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Corporal Smokey on June 30, 2008, 16:55:26 PM
If she is I'm out that weekend...


They are living at Second Chance. After Jane agreed to take them on she ended up aquiring some more so had full pens and so Jo at second chance said she'd be happy to help out.

Both wonderful people, it was a pleasure to meet them.

The pain's weird today. I feel as if I've been in a car accident or something. I've got bruises all over from crawling around in my car and I'm quite stiff. Think I'm getting old.

OH has almost forgiven me but not quite and yes I'd do it again in an instant! (I'd know which bits of car to cover up though...)
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 30, 2008, 17:01:02 PM
I'm so pleased they are sorted anyway and you're a diamond for helping out  :hug:  :hug:  The pain will start to subside after a few days but I hope they've given you some decent painkillers  :sneaky:  They have something in their saliva that travels through the bloodstream and this is why a cat bite needs immediate treatment.  I'm sort of getting use to them now and I'm full of scars and don't bother so much but if I get a deep one, I always get antibiotics just in case.  I'm glad the experience hasn't put you off, it's a little scarey when your first encounter ends in injury, I think with me, it was my third but by christ I suffered and I'm still here and still as mad as ever  :evillaugh:

 :hug:  :hug:  :hug: to everyone who helped sort out this little family, xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Millys Mum on June 30, 2008, 17:03:21 PM
OH has almost forgiven me but not quite and yes I'd do it again in an instant! (I'd know which bits of car to cover up though...)

Poor chap having his motor destroyed  :evillaugh:
Maybe next time keep them in the one carrier  :scared:
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: dabs on June 30, 2008, 17:09:13 PM
If she is I'm out that weekend...

Ahh but what a wonderful way to pass a weekend though?

Seriously I too hope mum is not preggies again, it would be too much for her so close to her last litter, however a sneaking feeling says that she is quite advanced, but then again she could be having me on, (I hope).

I will umm and ahh with her for this week and if still not totally sure may well get her back to the vets for a scan.

Thanks for sorting out the little ones and thanks to Dawn for organising this in tru military fashion.  :thanks:

The lady that took them in said that there has been a black tom hanging around, so no surprises for guessing who the daddy is. All CSA correspondence addressed to ........... :sneaky:

I have a feeling that he may go missing for a while and return minus a couple of little things!
Title: Re: Crossposted from CC - Derby - Pregnant cat and 4 kittens need placement
Post by: Dawn (DiddyDawn) on June 30, 2008, 17:14:44 PM
The lady that took them in said that there has been a black tom hanging around, so no surprises for guessing who the daddy is. All CSA correspondence addressed to ........... :sneaky:

I have a feeling that he may go missing for a while and return minus a couple of little things!

This is the best approach and no one will know any different, hopefully she can get him sorted out  :hug:  :hug:  Once again, thanks Debbie for taking in mum cat, she really deserves a loving home and no more babies  :hug:  :hug: