Help, another cat, another pregnancy, advice needed

[louise_81]

Just found out Evie's kittens (my cat to be) were fathered by the local tom Please, she is not in my care just yet, and will be neutered when she comes to me.

Apparently, the he lives next door and the neighbour sees it as not her problem

Spoken to the gentleman involve (Evie's current, soon to be previous owner) and he said his 5 yr old female is now pregnant. I can see so many dangers with a 5 yr old cat being pregnant.

Obviously, this is the responsibily of both owners to get their cats spayed and neutered, and to try and reduce the number of moggie in recues and on the streets.

this cat is also looking for a home. I am so tempted to offer her a home here and get her out of this cycle, but at the same time, my OH would be most upset at another cat, and even more upset when she has her kittens.

I would be able to look after her (the additional one) but she would have to be neutered and rehomed after kits had gone.

Just feels like these cats are stuck in a cycle or reproducing because of irresponsible owners.

help, what can I do? any rescues near me?

[Elaine]

Sorry to read this Louise, I may know of some one that might be able to help in your area or some other places you can post this for some help and advice.
I am a bit busy right now but will pm you all the details later this evening if thats ok.

[louise_81]

that would be great, thank you

[dandysmom]

Good luck, Louise, well done Elaine. Don't you get really angry at irresponsible owners like that? Grrr!

[Leesy]

Hope all goes well with the kitties, it is maddening to think that some people can be so uncaring:cry:

[louise_81]

OK, I have offered to take both cats, however one stil remains. He has contacted CP but they will not issue vouchers. I have contacted them myself, as well as every local cat rescue, in my local area. I will follow up with phone calls on monday. Cats are coming to me on Monday evening :)

Im the mean time, what can I do to prepare myself. the pregnant cat has done this all before, I bet she will be better at it than I am, but is there anything Specific I can provide?

The original cat is NOT pregnant wheuwee.

Both are being booked into the vets on Monday for as soon as possible, for check ups and pre neutering check up of Evie.

[catwoman999]

Hi Louise,

Really, the wee cat will do all the work herself. Just make sure she has a private quiet space to have her kittens in. Though usually the cat picks itself where it wants to have her babies. Just watch out for the cat struggling to deliver her kittens, and that she has delivered all of them. Sometimes the cat gets exhausted, and cannot deliver the final kitten/s. How can you tell this...???? Well if mother is licking, feeding and generally contented you know she has passed all the kittens. If she seems withdrawn, and not really paying attention to kittens there could be a problem. You will have to make sure all kittens are breathing, as you may have to stimulate their breathing if not by giving them a wee rub. Though, it is advised you do not handle the kittens in the first week or so, to allow the mother to bond with her babies without other strange scents over the babies. Unless there are problems of cousre, and you need to. Oh, and make sure ALL kittens are getting fed by mum, and that mums milk is flowing properly in all teets. Just watch and you can tell...
Good luck, hoping all goes well for you!

[Moli]

Bless you for taking on both these little ones, sure she will be fine having her kittens, at least she is safe and being look after....

[dandysmom]

I echo that, wish more people were as caring as you......

[louise_81]

Would under the stairs and behind the couch do? The Freezer is under there, but it is the only quiet place I can think of. Also have a few wardrobes I could set up,a sI have heard mummy cats like them too!

We have no kids so during the day it is very quiet any way. Although I have a friend who will check on her during the day whist I am at work. I was thinking of setting up banana boxes with towels, or fleeces in there, would newspaper be better. WOuld that be ok?

neghbouring RSPCA have said they may be able to help and to phone on Monday, which has calmed me a bit.

[dandysmom]

Some cats happily accept the nesting boxes we make for them and some insist on finding their own place to give birth. Sometimes on the owners bed! This isn't her first litter so try not to worry too much, she knows what to do, and you've been alerted to the signs of anything going wrong.

Easy for me to say, I've never had a pregnant cat and would probably be a mass of nerves if I did .... :-D

[catwoman999]

Would under the stairs and behind the couch do? The Freezer is under there, but it is the only quiet place I can think of. Also have a few wardrobes I could set up,a sI have heard mummy cats like them too!

We have no kids so during the day it is very quiet any way. Although I have a friend who will check on her during the day whist I am at work. I was thinking of setting up banana boxes with towels, or fleeces in there, would newspaper be better. WOuld that be ok?

neghbouring RSPCA have said they may be able to help and to phone on Monday, which has calmed me a bit.

As 'Dandysmom' has pointed out, the cat usually picks where she wants to have the kittens herself.... But you could prepare a box with newspapers (easy to clean/dispose of after birth) and put it behind the couch/ under the stairs etc. But when the cat picks her spot, best to leave her there cause thats where she feels secure, but you can move the box/newspapers to where she picks. The most IMPORTANT thing I can say is to keep human contact with the kittens to a minimum, to reduce risk of mother rejecting kittens or infection. Feed mummy cat high quality kitten food (RC/HILLS/JAMES WELL BELOVED etc)while she is nursing her kittens. This helps her produce lots of milk for kittens, gives her energy, helps her not to get too skinny while feeding hungry wee kittens.
None of my cats have ever had kittens! But through work have dealt with this, and can understand why you are a bag of nerves and questions. You are welcome to pm me if you have any other questions Louise. :D

[louise_81]

Cat is currently around 32 days into pregnancy, so half way. She will have been with me for around 4 weeks, if everything goes to plan. I just hope she will settle in in that time and find a comfy safe spot. and clear out the bottoms of the wardrobe and bathroom cupboard too, I think these may be quieter. Plus Evie will need places to cat nap too, so I will try and come up with quite a few.

I have to say it is not a situation I would ever plan to be in, but I do see this as their only way out of reproducing unwanted kittens.