Unknown kittens in my garden - what do I do?

lilrahi

Can I ask for a bit of advice.

My house has a bit of a lean-to kinda area, covered and partially enclosed. On Friday I noticed three kittens sort of frolicking around. They're not really new, new kittens but still small. I don't know who they belong to. My next door have cats which sometimes hang out in this space so I thought the kittens were theirs but apparently not.

Yesterday saw nothing but when I was going up to bed, I heard miawing from outside and this morning I see they're sleeping under my treadmill.

I don't have pets, don't want them. I like to the idea of pets but would find the reality, cleaning, housetraining etc very hard.

What do I do? I don't want them to die, and worried since they probably haven't eaten for a while.

Lifeforms

If you can catch them, find a secure box to put them in. Ask your neighbour if they have a cat box you can borrow. If you have a local animal charity, take them along there, or atleast phone them up in the mean time, even the RSPCA/SSPCA. If you see no mother cat around, have to hope they've weaned off her.

Hopefully they're bounding around, and have eyes open?
Dunno about feeding them, but if you try, I guess soft, pouch, kitten cat food (not adult, too big for them) and water, but don't give them milk.

If you catch them and take them somewhere using a neighbours cat box, make sure to disinfect the cat box, or advise the neighbour to do it, incase they have something.

lilrahi

they have eyes open and they're playing with each other, jumping about and stuff. What kinda scrap food would I give them?

sophief333

If you can get some kitten food for them that would be best. Maybe ask neighbours if they have any to borrow, or get a cheap box from supermarket. Most important to get some food in the for them time being, dons't matter if its a cheap brand. Put out a shallow bowl of water. Please don't give them milk.

Have you phones the RSPCA? Can you bring them inside? Maybe put the in the bathroom until you can get some help for them?

Horseygirl123

From my experience with the RSPCA I would be more inclined to phone the Cats Protection League.

chocdonuty

Whereabouts in birmingham are you? I live in Redditch and Cramar cat sanctuary are great, I'm sure if they have room they would help you out, they are in Hopwood, inbertween redditch and brum
In the meantime, as other posters have said give them some cheap kitten food and some shelter to keep them going for a while. There may be a mother cat around that you just haven't seen yet but being outdoors in this weather isn't great!
Also ask around the neighbours to see if they know anything, they may know who they belong to or possibly could take them on.
HTH michelle
(who has a soft spot for lost kittens and cats, but hasn't enough room for more )

moggymutt

Tinned adult Whiskas is fine. If you cant get out to the shops ask your neighbour if you can borrow a few tins. (or have you any tuna in the house). Particularly if these kittens have been dumped, they may not have any food supply at all, and so their life may well be in your hands.

Are these kittens tame, as in not just come near you for food, but also let you pick them up.? It increases their homing prospects hugely if they are tame, so keep handling them as much as possible. If kittens are wild they do get considerably harder to tame as they get older.

Be prepared for rescues to be full, and you might have to go on a waiting list. If that's the case, ask the rescue if they can sort out you having something to worm the kittens with, and also check to see if they have fleas. If you can weigh the kittens it'll give rescues an idea of how old they are when you speak to them on the phone. Outdoor kittens with no mum are a high priority, but there is no point them going to 'any old' overcrowded rescue with disease problems.

Until you can get them sorted they will need warm shelter, this wet damp cold weather is far worse for kittens than dry frosty weather. If you could bring them in the house that would be the best for them, otherwise make sure that they have somewhere dry and snug.

Finding mum if possible is really important, or you are just going to have more kittens appearing every few months.

Kittens aren't like puppies when it comes to housetraing, in 99.9% of cases they will immediately use the litter tray once shown it.

Good luck- keep us informed as to how you get on.

hethmar

Unusual time of year for new kittens isnt it? Bless them, I hope they manage to survive but they may well be feral. Have you any feral cat rescues locally? They will breed if they arent neutered and you could end up with lots more if you dont sort this out now. We had over 20 feral cats along this little close and RSPCA would have just pts but thankfully we found a feral cat rescue who were brilliant, came out and helped us catch them all and then those they had no chance of domesticating they neutered and then returned to their territory.

lilrahi

chocdonuty - I'm in Bordesley Green so will try some places tomorrow.

I've put a box with some old towels and stuff inside for them to sleep and given them a bowlful of water.

As for food, shopping is not on the itinerary for today and have no tuna in the house. Any suggestions?

Barnabysue

Do you know of any other people living nearby who have cats? If they're animal lovers they would surely lend/give you some food for them.

fire**fly

lilrahi wrote: »

chocdonuty - I'm in Bordesley Green so will try some places tomorrow.

I've put a box with some old towels and stuff inside for them to sleep and given them a bowlful of water.

As for food, shopping is not on the itinerary for today and have no tuna in the house. Any suggestions?

hiya lilrahi, have you any cooked chicken, cooked fish,
or could you cook some if you've any in the house, it'll need to be well cooked & mashed up (bit like baby food) if you can't get any cat food x