stray kittens?

iammumtoone

My Son has found what could be stray kittens and Mother.

They are living in a run down shed, windows are broken which is how they get in and out. I went to have a look and knocked on the house door, the owner didn't know anything about them, they said they would inform the landlord but not sure if they will or even if the landlord will do anything (hope he doesn't block access to the shed as at least they are warm and dry there) Shed has old carpets in and lots of places for them to hide, they could easily live there with nobody noticing.

I don't know what to do, we shouldn't have even been on the land looking as it is private access only for those that live on the street (we don't).

What should I do, I am prepared to take some food (if a good idea?) but can't go too regularly as said above it is private land.

I didn't see the Mother, Son said she was thin but kittens looked healthy enough. Do you think it is possible they have a home? kittens were not new born I guess they were a few months.

Any advise gratefully received is it just best to leave alone?

minimad1970

If you're on Facebook try posting on a local page to see if anyone can come with a scanner, if the mum cat's about. Also there might be someone on there whose cat is missing. A local cat rescue may try to catch them in a trap if you have no luck finding an owner. Put posters up locally maybe. I would take mum cat some food. Good luck.

iammumtoone

minimad1970 wrote: »

If you're on Facebook try posting on a local page to see if anyone can come with a scanner, if the mum cat's about. Also there might be someone on there whose cat is missing. A local cat rescue may try to catch them in a trap if you have no luck finding an owner. Put posters up locally maybe. I would take mum cat some food. Good luck.

Thanks

I am not on facebook but even if I was like I said access is via private property same with the cat rescues as an organisation I doubt they will be allowed to trespass. Unfortunately the house owner did not seem like they would be willing to help with access via their house.

I will take some food, I looked about and it doesn't seem like anyone else is feeding them.

Could I get in trouble if I took a camera to see if I can get a photo of Mother to put posters up. From the photo it would be clear to see what property they are in and its not my property, also it would alert everyone they are there, not sure if this is a good idea?

tiz

Try the RSPCA or look for local cat rescues. They'll be able to deal with catching/trapping the mum and kittens and they can then go through the rescues adoption procedures. If you can it's best to go through a rescue the kittens are likely to need flea treatment, worming, may have cat flu and need some socialisation.

The rescue will handle access, don't get yourself into trouble!

iammumtoone

I spoke to the cats protection.

They were very helpful but as I suspected there is nothing they can do to intervene. They did explain it is possible they have a home apparently kittens do all go out with their mothers at young ages (something I have never heard before). I am also suspicious the family were in the exact same place a few days apart from when we visited, this would be a big coincidence if this shed wasn't their home.

They advised against feeding them. What they said make sense that if I do they will come to rely on it so if I ever couldn't, it would then make things more difficult for them. I would happily commit to take food as long as they are there but having to trespass on private property each time to get to them, its a big risk I could be asked to leave and not come back by the residents.

They did ask if I would go back to try to get a good look at mother and ring back with a description so they can log her on the system just in case anyone reports a missing cat. I will do this.

Amandajayne268

The mother will need extra food if she is feeding her kittens. Anything you give them would be a big help. See if u can get a foto and put an ad in local shops or on lampposts. If cats protection won't help they should be ashamed. What about talking to the rspca or even your local dog warden might be able to help. I wish there was more thoughtful and helpful people like yourself knocking about. It would make the world a better place. :A

iammumtoone

Amandajayne268 wrote: »

The mother will need extra food if she is feeding her kittens. Anything you give them would be a big help. See if u can get a foto and put an ad in local shops or on lampposts. If cats protection won't help they should be ashamed. What about talking to the rspca or even your local dog warden might be able to help. I wish there was more thoughtful and helpful people like yourself knocking about. It would make the world a better place. :A

To be fair to the cats protection I don't see what they can do. The owner of the house whos shed they are in is not interested/bothered therefore not willing to provide access. The way I am checking on them is via private land, technically I am braking the law by trespassing as a charity the cats protection will not be able to do that. Even if they did come my route they would not be able to catch them , my view point is through a broken window, they would need access via the the owners garden, even with that, with the amount of stuff in the shed to hide under they would never get them.

I can't go everyday due to the trespassing issue but I will go and look in a couple of days to check on them. I probably will take some food I am sure they won't rely on it if I don't make it regular.

paddypaws101

Best case scenario is for CP to be allowed access to trap mum and kittens and bring them into rescue...otherwise this small family will all grow up feral and kittens will have kittens till there is a large group or colony.
My local CP would say to establish a feeding routine so that mum/kittens stay in one place, then get hold of a humane trap and catch them all to go into rescue. So, some access must be arrange through whoever has responsibility for the land and shed

ljonski

Could you not get CP to write a letter to house which you could deliver by hand, asking for access?

Apodemus

While you and the cats protection might not have authority to access private land, RSPCA (in England, SSPCA in Scotland) will. Alternatively the Council's Environmental Health or Dog Warden. Go to the professionals, not the amateurs!