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Post by Show Condition on Nov 30, 2010 16:46:22 GMT
Right, where to start.....afew weeks ago we found a litter of kittens in one of outbuildings. For some reason the mother had stopped looking after them. Two were dead but two (girl & a boy) were hanging on & we managed to save them & they are now beautiful, healthy house cats! (they live with my parents).
Recently I've spotted another kitten round the yard & we've been putting food down for him/her. I've caught it today (in a fishing net) and he's currently in the cage which we used for the other kits. I shall be taking him home tonight & he'll be staying in the cage until I can get him use to humans. The vet won't see him until they can handle him....any tips would be appreciated :-)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2010 17:01:46 GMT
I rescue farm kittens all the time from our farm and to be absolutely honest once they are hissing and spitting etc they never become true tame as they are feral in the end, they can warm to you but i would be careful as they have bacteria in their saliva.
You have done well with the other two i have taken 3 in this last 2 months ranging from 1 week to 4 weeks. I rehomed 2 and kept the 4 week old one who is doing great.
You can try but i have never had success with already scared hissy and spitting kittens. Let me know how you get on good luck xxxx
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Post by roseview on Nov 30, 2010 20:44:57 GMT
I've had quite a bit to do with feral kittens and cats. Some come better than others. In fact, the ones we hand reared can be quite difficult to handle yet the ones that were raised by mother cat have ended up being absolutely adorable. I have one at the moment who was never even touched until he was 12 months old, yet he follows me everywhere, sits on me every day for a cuddle, comes running when he hears my voice.
They soon get used to your voice so speak to them all the time. It also helps if you get them used to seeing other people as well, otherwise you will find that they are fine with you but run away from other people.
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Post by Show Condition on Dec 1, 2010 13:18:03 GMT
Thanks guys, the kitty isn't hissing or spitting when we feed him/her so I'm hoping this is a good sign as I'm willing to have him as a house cat  He's also used the litter tray straight away - legend! I'll keep you updated & if I can work out how to do it will try & put some pics on in the next few weeks. Best wishes xxx |
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Post by heathers on Dec 2, 2010 18:15:52 GMT
well done you
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Post by lillicob on Dec 2, 2010 19:25:00 GMT
3 cheers for all those brilliant kind caring people who continue to rescue handle and rehome all these poor little kittens, my friend not only rescues them but also with the vets help takes the females and gets them neutered then pops them back so no more unwanted kits, the farmer doesn't even know (or care) that they've been done.What a good idea.
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Post by fluteybeauty on Dec 10, 2010 10:34:39 GMT
Congratulations on helping that poor kitten i work for a rspca rehoming centre and previously a cat sanctuary so have seen my fair share of ferals as well as binging round adult ones best of luck just keep handleing him and he should come round as youve had him from an early age as for the vet i know many who will turn no animal away and have dealt with countless ferals there are ways id ask another vet |
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 10:52:05 GMT
Why do you want to take it to a vet?? Is it ill? My sister had a feral kitten he lived til he was 9 (unfortunetly despite being street wise, got hit by a car) although he was "tame" to a degree..he never lost his wild side, and was one cat I could quite easily have throttled lol - he was truely evil.... lol but my sister loved him... Edited as clearly I upset some people in this post..resulting in me getting shot down in flames.  I do love all animals (apart from the 6 and 8 legged variety) |
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Post by ladybird on Dec 12, 2010 15:55:27 GMT
if anyone saw a previous post of mine (i know roseview has) we are now up to 15!!!!!!!!!! Last one moved in this afternoon, ginger and white. I will post a bit more about the joy of the feral when i get over getting up at 5.30 this morning to have a horse collected!!!
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Post by roseview on Dec 12, 2010 16:10:00 GMT
OMG, Ladybird!! I'm so glad we managed to spay and neuter all cats in the area 12 months ago!!
We even managed to do a straying domestic cat who got caught in our trap! He eventually returned home, apparently having been missing for months and the owners took him to the vets to have an abscess treated and to get him done so he wouldn't stray again, only to be told it had already been done!
The vet checked with my CPL contact who remembered where he had been caught and let me know! Owners were pleased to get their cat back and didn't have the expense of getting him done either!!
I must say that I adore the feral who lives in one of my stables and look forward to spending time with him each morning and evening.
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 17:39:54 GMT
We even managed to do a straying domestic cat who got caught in our trap! If that was my cat I'd be livid...... Ok, so it would be my fault that he was straying, but to openly say that you'd caught someones cat and had him neutered....... there are more reasons than just one why a cat strays.... sometimes it's because they've moved house and they went back to the area they know... you dont know anything of any straying cats medical history and not many are obvious to the naked eye..... |
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Post by sleepyhead on Dec 12, 2010 19:51:08 GMT
Why do you want to take it to a vet?? Sometimes ferals should be left as ferals and have nature decide on what to do with them.. the fact the mum cat has abonded them should account for something... If she felt the kits were weak and wouldnt survive, then who are we to intervene..... sorry if i sound a bit unkind, but sometimes it's necessary to be cruel to be kind. Maybe she wants to have the kitten checked over to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong - that seems like a responsible thing to do As for your comment about the mother abandoning the kittens did it not occur to you she may have been victim of an RTA or met a similar untimely end. Does this mean the kittens should be left to die? And "who are we to intervene?" Weren't you the one on your high horse about the deformed foal advocating it should have £4000 of surgery - what is that if not intervening?  To quote you from that thread "Some people I understand would rather not take on other peoples problems, but some would be happy to help out... If you are one of the former, please dont look down on those who would be willing to help, after all...someone has too. " Talk about double standards - HYPOCRITE  Read more: horsegossip.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=67141&page=2#ixzz17vbnizTW |
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 20:29:54 GMT
Thank you for that sleepyhead..... have you finished your rant??
I wasnt aware that the foal had been born wild......
Anyway..Im not a "hypocrite" I merely asked a question.... The lady caught (indicating that the kitten didnt come voluntarily) a feral (wild) kitten.... she needs to tame it otherwise that vet wont touch/treat it.....
It is MY opinon (if you allow me to have one) that to tame such an animal that has been born feral/wild and to tame it to trust humans, is only going to instill stress onto the animal, then take it to a vet who will stress and frighten it even more....
I've seen feral cats (OK just the one) be "tamed" (except that it was never tame) and in the wild.. unfortunetly feral babies do die.. what is the difference to letting nature take it's course, and stressing the feral animal out only to be given a General Anaesthetic have it's bits chopped off.. then let go to it's fate....?? Fair enough if it was then to be given/found a home for life.... but OP suggests that the animal will be returned to the wild to fend for itself*....
As for the foal.... It was BRED..... it came out wrong.... Why should it die because of a condition?? (Horses with Wry Nose can and do live healthy happy lives after the operation....) I wasnt forcing people to donate..... I did though suggest that we could do some fundrasing..but this was BEFORE I realised the article was SIX MONTHS OLD.
Forgive me for caring!!
(and yes I do care about cats..I have two of my own)
*OP - if this isnt the case and you'll be giving/finding kitten a home, then please feel free to correct me
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Post by chorro on Dec 12, 2010 21:08:02 GMT
If I found abandoned kittens I'd look after them, in fact we did and he turned out to be the nicest cat ever.
I maybe wrong but I make no apologies its the way I am, I wouldn't see anything die if I could help.
One of our farm cats came to us as a feral from the cats protection league and though she will take food from your hand and come indoors and sit with us she remains wild and refuses to be touched.
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Post by sleepyhead on Dec 12, 2010 21:11:21 GMT
Not a rant at all Sands just addressing the balance, sorry you don't like it but ah well not to worry!! What makes the lives of these(possibly orphaned) kittens worth less than a deformed foal. Does the fact that the birth of the foal was orchestrated make it's life worth more even though someone is happy to help the unplanned kittens, are the circumstances of the birth less important than the physical condition? Why should they die just because they weren't planned but have someone willing to help them? I dont understand your logic at all is one life worth more than another? To remind you of your very worthy words in the previous thread To quote you from that thread "Some people I understand would rather not take on other peoples problems, but some would be happy to help out... If you are one of the former, please dont look down on those who would be willing to help, after all...someone has too. " So live by your own preachings! Read more: horsegossip.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=catarea&action=display&thread=66687#ixzz17vyT95dD |
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 22:27:52 GMT
quite good at quoting arent you, Sleepy... Like i said...it was MY opinon... if you dont like it..dont read it |
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Post by sleepyhead on Dec 12, 2010 22:35:10 GMT
Just the one quote of yours Sands which you dont seem to like now! You are entitled to your opinion as am I, it's your double standards that intrigues me. I wouldn't say I don't like it, I find it very odd, but until I read something I don't know if I like it or not do I???  |
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 22:42:52 GMT
sorry you don't like it but ah well not to worry!! You sound like a previous Boyfriend of mine...... Patronising... If you care to take this someplace other than Show Condition's thread as it's a tad Off Topic..... Did i say i did not like the quote? if so... where?? |
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Post by sleepyhead on Dec 12, 2010 23:05:17 GMT
Not off topic at all! I was merely defending the OP's choice to do the best by this kitten. I see you have now deleted your rather harsh comment regarding leaving it to it's own devices! Yep going to quote you again, sorry: "Sometimes ferals should be left as ferals and have nature decide on what to do with them.. the fact the mum cat has abonded them should account for something... If she felt the kits were weak and wouldnt survive, then who are we to intervene..... sorry if i sound a bit unkind, but sometimes it's necessary to be cruel to be kind." Anyway I have made my point as have you and we will not agree! So good luck with the kitten SC and I at least wish you well with it and I'm glad it was your yard it turned up at Read more: horsegossip.proboards.com/index.cgi? |
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 23:19:02 GMT
Yes i deleted it as I clearly upset you, and possibly others...... I cannot edit yours.. so I am still open to fire..... Thank you... May you rest in peace.....
Popcorn anyone?? Glass of wine perhaps.... LOL
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Post by roseview on Dec 12, 2010 23:36:18 GMT
sands01, I would point out that the owners of the straying cat which was neutered by the CPL were eternally grateful as it meant that their long lost pet came home!!
He was only identifiable as a previous domestic cat by his quiet manner once trapped in the humane trap as he'd run a mile at the sight of humans otherwise.
I am quite happy with the fact that the CPL decided to neuter him, as running loose he'd have been very likely to father yet more feral kittens. He'd found a haven in my yard after being on the loose for some months and at least he was fed and had shelter with me.
I think you are very much in the minority if you would have been, and I quote "livid". Who in their right mind would rather leave their lost pets un neutered, running wild than have them castrated and then find their way home? I'm not quite sure what knowing anything about his previous medical history has to do with it!! I didn't physically castrate him myself and I'm know the vets take ever care.
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 12, 2010 23:44:50 GMT
My mum lost a cat once... he was young.. not at neutering age when he went missing... he also had a heart condition that meant he couldnt withstand a GA.... someone found him and took him to be neutered.... He died under the GA..... we only found out because my mum contacted the local cat and dog homes in the area and one recognised his description. Had they known about his condition they would never had done the op. This was a long time ago so perhaps you can understand my concerns?
You seem to be saying that the reason the cat went home was because he'd been castrated?
I also asked a friend too..and she said she'd be livid also.. so maybe she's in the minority also?
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Post by pinkponies on Dec 13, 2010 8:43:33 GMT
We have rescued 6 kittens in the last 6 weeks and rehomed 4 of them they were feral but all 6 have took to being domestic and using litter tray and so loving. The 2 we have kept are really playful and have found a lovely den in our Christmas tree which I have to fix everyday but it's worth seeing their pretty faces. The other 4 have gone to 2 lovely homes and will be loved. All 6 kittens will be all getting neutered.
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Post by Show Condition on Dec 13, 2010 10:42:50 GMT
Kitten update! I took our kitten to the vet so I could be sure he/she was in good health. We've discovered that the kitten is a girl of about 7 weeks and is in tip top condition (yay!). She has taken to being a house cat like a duck to water & will confidently play with you & let you stroke her. She will give the odd hiss but thankfully hasn't scratched or tried to bite (she adores our dog too so that's a bonus!). The kitten will have it's injections & be neutered in due course as I personally think this is the responsible thing to do. We've called her 'Chunky' and she'll have a home with us for life |
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Post by JaysMum on Dec 13, 2010 10:49:13 GMT
Show Condition, thanks.. that's nice to hear... I hear of people who catch ferals have them operated on..then chuck them back out.... there only aim is to stop the breeding... but instilling humans on them i think is cruel (to an extent, not wanting to start WW3) but why intervene unless you're prepared to go the whole way... once a cat is used to human touch...they do not always revert back to true wildness.
But you have given this kitty a home for life.... I wish you luck and hope she doesnt end up like Charlie was.... that cat was Evil..... he used to stalk faces.....
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Post by Show Condition on Dec 13, 2010 10:55:34 GMT
 OK, not sure if this will work or not....... Hopefully you can now see a picture of Chunky! |
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Post by ladybird on Dec 13, 2010 11:36:35 GMT
sands 01, I dont agree with much of what you have said as regards to ferals, I certainly havent asked to have 14 kittens descend on our yard (our first 4 were from the cats protection league fully neutered and wormed) however i wouldnt dream of trying to get rid of them, and they are welcome to food and shelter. We plan to catch them, have them neutered and quite frankly its up to them whether they wander off again or choose to stay around, either way it stops them being able to reproduce.
If someone found one of my cats had strayed, fed it and had it neutered I would be absolutely delighted!
I LOVE the picture of chunky, one lucky cat.
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Post by chorro on Dec 13, 2010 12:16:52 GMT
sands sorry about your mums kitten but any animal can die during an op as can anyone and his heart condition couldn't have been so bad that the vet didnt think it worth the risk.
And while I dont agree with some of the things you have said I do believe you are entitled to your opinion, that said by your own words keeping an animal with a very bad heart condition is interfering with nature.
I believe that if an animal can have a decent quality of life even if it does have to take some medication then why not
We have already interfered by allowing animals ito our homes,by breeding animals to look pleasing to us and behave in certain ways.
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Post by chorro on Dec 13, 2010 12:22:33 GMT
I would like to say I am quite a pragmatic person I work with animals have seen them die and had to make the decision to have them pts, I have also seen the extent some people go to to keep an animal alive that is suffering and should be pts because they cant bear to lose them and that is one of the saddest and cruelest things ever. ps love the kitty sc |
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Post by roseview on Dec 13, 2010 13:59:53 GMT
Show Condition, well done on you for taking in the waifs and strays. It looks to be a pretty kitten as well.
Funnily enough most ferals were black and white cats historically but I guess the influx of domestic cats running wild has added other colours. Ours have a black and white mum and tabby dad. Momma cat is totally wild but still knows what time to come around for breakfast and tea. I watch her on my yard CCTV, as well as the others cats who pass through here.
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