Hello all;
I've just started trying to do something about the ferals in my area and I'm looking for some support and advice.
I'm in Alberta, Canada in a small town north of Edmonton called St. Albert. In the condo complex where i live there is quite the colony, mainly one mum and her brood, but a few other males. Luckily most of her kids are males so far.
I stole 4 kittens from her last litter, I've had them for a week and they are getting pretty used to me. There were 6 in the litter, but they are way too shy and i don't think i'll be able to catch them.
There are a few main obstacles for me:
-You may hear me talk about my two cats, they are both females and not spayed. I had saved up for it but then jitzu got a UTI...Saving again. There aren't any cheap spay clinics near me i can find...neither of them are allowed outside and they wouldn't run out anyways. It scares my two little wussies, lol. I do not intend to let either of them have a litter before i get them spayed.
-Money...i'v just finished school and my boyfriend is going back in the fall. I really just don't have enough money to do what i want for my cats, let alone ferals.
-Hostility. There are a few people in the complex who are suspected of abusing the cats. One had boiling water poured on his head, another had his face kicked...a man is threatening to put out antifreeze (that's why i took the kittens). I don't think we'll get much help from the people here.
-Knowledge/supplies. I have no idea where to get a trap. I called the local SPCA and they said they'd lend me one, but they would need me to bring the cat to them and since it'd be feral they'd end up putting it down. obviously not an option. I can afford a bag of food once in a while, and my dad (who's a carpenter) built me a great shelter for them. But I really can't spend a ton of money.
So basically, does anyone know of a good vet in the area, or a place i could relocate the cats. I also need some other advice.
One of the main mumma's kittens (the only female in her first 2 litters) is seriously pregnant. She looks like she's going to LITERALLY pop...How fat should she get before giving birth?
Also, one of the males in the area (her older brother) is acting like she's in heat, mounting/ect. Could this be possible, or is he just confused?
I think this female is liking my shelter for her nest, and I've been making sure she gets wet cat food there to entice her. hopefully she'll have them here where it's safe. That way once they're older i can find homes for them.
*sighs* sorry that's so long. There's just so much i need to find out!
Becky
I've just started trying to do something about the ferals in my area and I'm looking for some support and advice.
I'm in Alberta, Canada in a small town north of Edmonton called St. Albert. In the condo complex where i live there is quite the colony, mainly one mum and her brood, but a few other males. Luckily most of her kids are males so far.
I stole 4 kittens from her last litter, I've had them for a week and they are getting pretty used to me. There were 6 in the litter, but they are way too shy and i don't think i'll be able to catch them.
There are a few main obstacles for me:
-You may hear me talk about my two cats, they are both females and not spayed. I had saved up for it but then jitzu got a UTI...Saving again. There aren't any cheap spay clinics near me i can find...neither of them are allowed outside and they wouldn't run out anyways. It scares my two little wussies, lol. I do not intend to let either of them have a litter before i get them spayed.
-Money...i'v just finished school and my boyfriend is going back in the fall. I really just don't have enough money to do what i want for my cats, let alone ferals.
-Hostility. There are a few people in the complex who are suspected of abusing the cats. One had boiling water poured on his head, another had his face kicked...a man is threatening to put out antifreeze (that's why i took the kittens). I don't think we'll get much help from the people here.
-Knowledge/supplies. I have no idea where to get a trap. I called the local SPCA and they said they'd lend me one, but they would need me to bring the cat to them and since it'd be feral they'd end up putting it down. obviously not an option. I can afford a bag of food once in a while, and my dad (who's a carpenter) built me a great shelter for them. But I really can't spend a ton of money.
So basically, does anyone know of a good vet in the area, or a place i could relocate the cats. I also need some other advice.
One of the main mumma's kittens (the only female in her first 2 litters) is seriously pregnant. She looks like she's going to LITERALLY pop...How fat should she get before giving birth?
Also, one of the males in the area (her older brother) is acting like she's in heat, mounting/ect. Could this be possible, or is he just confused?
I think this female is liking my shelter for her nest, and I've been making sure she gets wet cat food there to entice her. hopefully she'll have them here where it's safe. That way once they're older i can find homes for them.
*sighs* sorry that's so long. There's just so much i need to find out!
Becky