So there's a stray cat...?

Question

There's been a stray cat running around my neighborhood lately, which my mom and I didn't think much of, until just today when we saw her nursing 4 kittens under our neighbor's bush right outside of our kitchen window. I tried calling animal control to see if they could come get the kittens/cat (they could possibly be adopted, they're really cute), but my town/county/state (IL) don't have any ordinances on cats, meaning that they won't come get them. The animal control guy on the phone literally told me the cats have to fend for themselves.

This is where you guys come in. We can't take the cats because my mom hates them, my brother in allergic, and we have a dog who would go after them, and not in a nice way. It's August now and winter is coming soon. Can/should I just leave them alone? What else can I do?

Answer 1

I don't see how the animal control guy could tell you that, unless your state has different rules about stray animals. I live in NC and it doesn't matter if the shelter is full they have to come and get the animal. Have you tried searching for a local SPCA or another animal rescue in your area? Here are some sites you might want to check out. The cat really needs a safe place to raise her kittens and hopefully all of them will be able to find homes.

http://www.illinoisanimalrescue.org/

http://muttcats.com/shelters/illinois.ht...

Answer 2

This happened to me last year. Me and my brother found 5 abandoned cats and took in one. If you can catch the cat or trap it in a trap bring it to a animal shelter or you can raise the kittens and mom cat and when the kittens get old enough give them away to friends neighbors and family. If you want to raise them or keep them keep the cats in your closet, garage or shed to be out of the way from every one. Stray cats can be wild fast and will run when you approach them until they recognize you.

Answer 3

I'd probably put fliers up around your neighborhood first, mama kitty might have a home with a worried-sick family. In the meantime, find a no-kill animal rescue in your area and make sure the mama kitty gets food and fresh water.

Answer 4

You have good advice from your mom. If she isn't committed to caring for the cat family then you will have no peace in your home.

What you can do is provide food for the momma--get a bag of cat food and feed her and put out fresh water as well. That is the biggest problem for these feral cats is where to get their food while their kitties are in the nest.

You can be her angel! That should sit well with your mom and take care of the little family at the same time. Best to you all!

Answer 5

If you want to help them maybe if your House fence isn't connected to ur neighbors then maybe u could set up a little place where they can stay with a little food.

If you don't want to maybe if the kittens and cat come by ur house you could leave a bit of food for them. My mother used to feed this cat, milk and cheese. It was basically like and outdoor pet. But the cat wasn't stray. If it's really cold where you live maybe you could call an animal rescue even the u already have tried.    Hope this helps.  

Answer 6

i love animals. what i actually would do, is bring them to my room, and the mommy too, and wait till their old enough to start eating cat food, and ask around to people if they want a free kitten, i just took a little little baby in for a while, he was to little to be outside. Oh and i would also put out a little litter and train them, they learn very easily.

Answer 7

Try and ask your mom if it's alright to take an empty box and put an old blanket or a cheap one from a store and put it in your back yard. Keep an eye on them, and that should provide shelter for them. Ask your mom if it's all right to buy the cat a small bag of food so she'll stay healthy while her babies nurse. It's not necessarily "Keeping" the cat, it's just to make sure she and her kittens are warm until spring, and food so her kittens don't die.

Try not to pick up the mother while she's nursing. When you see that she's not nursing, try and get a basket and put the mother in, and put the babies in the basket near by her - so she can see them. Take them to your back yard (or wherever you have the box) and put the kittens inside first. (a box laying in it's side is the best choice) then let the mother go inside. And if she'll let you, stroke her so she knows that you aren't going to harm her babies.

Ask your mom about this, and wash your hands before and after handling the cats, and change your clothes after handling them because of your brother.

Answer 8

You could try catching and keeping them in a box or in your backyard or whatever. You could put up flyers around the neighborhood and maybe an ad in the newspaper. Wait for someone with a big heart to adopt them, or if no one does, you could just go around with the actual cats and wait for someone to show an interest. There are a lot of people who like cats. =)

Answer 9

see if you can put signs up around your neighborhood. but do put food out for it and water. that will help with their survival.

Answer 10

There should be a couple of feline rescues in your area if you're in a city. Call the local vets to see if they know of any phone numbers to pass on to you.

You can also drop the kittens off at a vet saying you've found them--many vets do find the occasional home for turn-overs.