Feral colony or dump site?

Question

My sister just called. She was driving and saw about 20 small kittens and 1 adult cat on a deserted roadside near her house. She said she tried but couldn't catch any of them. It's dark out now. I think she's run up on a feral colony but it's possible someone dumped them. We're going tomorrow to try and catch them. We have no TNR rescues here and I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with vets donating spay/neuter for ferals like this? She said the kittens are maybe a month old so we'll have to see if they can be socialized. Does it sound like ferals or dumped pets?

Answer 1

so sad!!! i wish you both all the luck in the world tomorrow in catching them. i'm there with you in spirit! it could be someone dumped them, maybe they dumped the pregnant mother or something..all i know is that is so sad and thank God you are there to help them. have you ever checked out this site?

http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Pag...

Answer 2

I would think feral colony. If you want to socialize the kitten I would hurry, the older they are the harder it is.

can I ask what state you are in?

Answer 3

Probably a little of both.  It probably started out as a dump sight, and quickly turned to a feral colony.  It's heart breaking.

In our area our vet donates his time to a local shelter once per year for Feral TNR; but that is through a local shelter.  Not when someone personally traps a group of ferals and brings them in.

You can check with your local vet and see if there are any organizations in your area that he would recommend as being safe and dependable.

Your about to embark on no easy task and from one cat rescue mum to another I wish you luck.  We have had all our brood spayed or neutered at our own expense.  But it was worth it.

Answer 4

sounds like ferals..

i dont know if you can socialise that many kittens.. and if you think about it they are probably better off being put to sleep..sounds mean, but it is true

Answer 5

There is a theory that says that is how feral colonies start, a few stray cats and that's all it takes, in less than a year a colony is formed.  

In the area I am in there is only one TNR program, but our own rescue does do it when we come across a colony.  Our vet charges us our alter rate.   Perhaps contact a rescue and see if they will help out?

Be careful tomorrow, even a semi feral kitten at 5 weeks can pack a big punch.  Wear gloves and long sleeves.  We have someone in our rescue group that deals with feral colonies when we come across them.  Email me if you like and I can pass you onto her for support if you like.

Answer 6

Near my grandmothers house there is a colony something like this. I can say I am fairly certain this is a feral colony. The things that make that opinion for me are, 1) people just dont let their cats have 20 kittens and dump them. 2) near the colony at my grandmas they have adapted to be more like a pride. 1 alpha male and alpha female, and the kittens follow them. 3) when 1 female goes into heat so do all the others around, which could explain the masses of kittens.

Answer 7

I think they've been dumped there.

Answer 8

Dump site.

Answer 9

Since a cat can't have twenty kittens at once, you have to wonder. I'm not completely sure. Could be both. Thanks for trying to help them. You are a great animal guardian.

God bless and good luck- hope everything works out.