I have been feeding a beautiful stray cat for about a month. I say stray as she is always starving and quite timid, and is always hanging around.
I noticed her belly getting bigger and I was hoping I could do something with her before she had her kittens.
On tuesday she disappeared for the day, and she turned up on weds night clearly having had her kittens. I fed her then managed to follow her to where she must be hiding her kittens.
The trouble is, they are over a busy road, adjacent to a railway line! I couldn't see exactly where she went, but she went under a fence leading to the railway line.
Tomorrow I will try to see exactly where she goes by standing on the railway bridge up the road after I feed her.

There is an industrial estate along the stretch of line I think she has her nest, so I may be able to get access to her and the kittens if need be.

However, should I do anything at all? I'm not sure whether to just leave her alone-chances are the kittens will be okay - but if she tries bringing them to mine for food when they are bigger the road is very busy so I'm really worried for their safety, also there's the obvious danger of the railway.

If I did manage to get them what could I do with them - I already have 4 cats and 3 dogs! And will she harm the kittens if I bundle them up with her and bring them in the house? I'm really not sure what to do for the best and would welcome any advice.

I have looked on missing pets websites, rung local vets etc to see if anyone has lost her, to no avail. The only thing I haven't done is take her to see if she has a microchip - I didn't think she'd let me pick her up, but I did when she came back on weds cos she was so hungry, so I took advantage of a cuddle. She growled though, bless her. I would keep her to be honest, I wouldn't like to see her go to a rescue shelter.

Oh blimey!! What shall I do???

You could try contacting Kelly-Joy on here to see if she has any info on rescues local to you. She may also be able to help you get the mother and kittens to a rescue if it is not as local.

__________________

OK.
Firstly, well done you! And well done her for picking you! They are pretty bright!

Secondly, no, she won't attack the kittens if you get them all with her, but but don't miss any and you have a reasonable time frame with this - get it done in the next couple of weeks. This gives you time to get your house in order. She has kind of chosen you to help, but the growling suggests she is kinda picky and afraid about what will happen, so get room ready then act with decision. Make sure you have already counted them so you know you have them all. If this is not possible, encourage her in with food. She will eventually bring them to show you.

There is lots of excellent advice on here but it seems to me you have good instincts, so trust them! She trusts you already. And when she is willing, get her read for a microchip - she could be my Sefi! Probably not though! But a girl in need all the same!

__________________
Red Burmese - Django 18
Oriental black - Sabella 4
Oriental Tabby - Bambi 2
Oriental chocolate silver shaded - Inca (kitten)

Forever missed - please come home
Oriental Tabby - Serafina 2

Over the bridge
Bengal - Elmo
Siamese Sealpoint - Kookai
Longhair Tabby and White - Nigel

http://www.catsofavalon.com

You probably are going to have involve a rescue or CPL, I mean she could have six kittens and what would you do then, as you say, you can't take them all - as much as you want to. She'll be checked for a chip and given the care needed. If you want to keep her, then I am sure once the kittens are reared and she is neutered you could.

It sounds like you have done so much already xx well done

__________________

Thank you for that advice. She is the most pretty semi longhaired white girl with green eyes. Her 'boyfriend' who I also feed is a very pale ginger, so the kittens will be adorable!!!!! I'd hate for anything to happen to her or her babies, so I will try to get them before they become mobile, and depending on how many she has, I'll either keep them here or see if someone else can help.
I'm sure I'd have no trouble rehoming the kittens, but 2 of my dogs aren't particularly nice to my cats - I have to feed 2 of them outside now as they won't come downstairs in the house! So I'd be a bit worried about where I would keep them.
I will keep you posted!

Several organisations will be likely to help you neuter her and the tom, either free or at a reduced cost since you are helping them. You need to tell them what you are doing first, they may also lend you a cat trap to catch the tom.

I sometimes borrow these as we get several toms in our garden, which the CPA then neuter. Unfortunately, two of them had FIP, and were put to sleep.

__________________
Red Burmese - Django 18
Oriental black - Sabella 4
Oriental Tabby - Bambi 2
Oriental chocolate silver shaded - Inca (kitten)

Forever missed - please come home
Oriental Tabby - Serafina 2

Over the bridge
Bengal - Elmo
Siamese Sealpoint - Kookai
Longhair Tabby and White - Nigel

http://www.catsofavalon.com

She's been over 3 times today. I ran up the road onto the railway bridge to see if I could see where she went when she goes under the fence adjacent to the railway track, but unfortunately there is an area of scrub shielding my view of that area, so I couldn't see anything- but it does mean that she's not far from where she goes in.
I also went onto the industrial estate but the area I think she's in is bound by 8 ft chain link and barbed wire fencing, so can't get to her. So frustrating!
My only hope is if the railway folks will open a gate onto the track side so I can get right in there.

I found out today that she belonged to a girl very near to where she goes who was evicted from her home and she couldn't take her. Another woman was feeding her for a while, but she couldn't get near to her - so I am very privileged!!

At least I know she's free to take in for sure now though! Just need to figure how to get to those babies safe.

Good luck getting the kitten`s...Sure hope it all turn`s out well.

__________________
I know I need a spell checker.

Well done for looking out for these cats and kittens Hope all goes well for them all.

Keep us posted.

__________________

Well, today at last I have managed to get the kittens! Got fed up with waiting for Network Rail, and didn't really want heavy handed folks doing anything, so I got over the fence and found the kittens myself.

I sussed out where they were first, then when the mum came for her food I put her in the cat carrier, bless her, she wasn't too happy. Went over the road and onto the waste ground, put mum by the mattress where the babies were hiding, and gradually they got close enough for me to grab them and put them in with her. She was so calm- it was as if she knew we were helping her.

The kittens are 3 weeks old and sooooooooooo cute!! 3 white ones and 1 black and white surprise! Thought a ginger tom was the dad!

They are now upstairs in my daughters bedroom - the quietest room in the house, with everything they need - the mum seems so content, she was purring tonight - the first time I've heard her purr.

I have homes for all 4 of the kittens, some neighbours will have the 3 white ones and I think we'll keep the black and white one and the mum! I already have 4 cats, and have been feeding 6 for the past few months so not much difference really.

We're all happy bunnies tonight! xx