My next door neighbour, a single mum, recently moved in. Shortly after, she acquired two kittens - one male and one female.

One day my wife and I were in the garden when we heard kittens meowing and looking over the fence, we found two kittens approx 16wks old left out on the back garden, seemingly hungry and wanting attention. Our neighbour had gone out and was nowhere to be seen.

They jumped up the fence and wanted to come and play, as kittens do. We gave them some food, which they absolutely woolfed down. They spent a long time in our garden, despite us having a ten yr old cat, Buffy, who looked at them with a degree of suspicion from afar!

It was getting late and our neighbour still hadn't got back and we noticed that the back garage door she'd left open for them had blown shut in the wind and they had no shelter. I improvised a hook and managed to pull the door back open for them.

We told her later and she didn't seem that bothered to be honest and we were quite concerned.

A week or so later, she went out Friday, Saturday and only returned late on Sunday evening - the kittens had been left with a door that kept blowing closed and any other cat could go in and eat any food left for them.

We've felt desperately sorry for them and done our best to provide some food and shelter for them, as we do not believe our neighbour is properly looking after them, not does she seem that bothered when we ask her.

It's getting cold outside now and they seem to be left outside all night, which seems cruel. They've come to regard our garden as 'home' and spend most of their time here. Our cat, Buffy, whilst she'll never be their best friend, seems to have accepted them and allows them to come up to her.

Last night was bitterly cold and we heard a pawing/scratching noise at the rear patio door and there they both were, seemingly desperate for attention and warmth. We'd been trying to avoid this for a while, but I said to my wife that we just couldn't ignore them anymore and we allowed them in. They had a whale of a time, playing with toys as though they'd never played before. When they were tired out, they came and sat on our knees and fell deeply asleep. I wonder if it was the first really good sleep they've had for ages, being on edge outside normally.

We allowed them to stay in our living room overnight and they were perfectly happy and greeted us with a cheery "MYA!" this morning. We left them outside and they're happily in the little shelter I made for them on our patio table.

We're now faced with the dilemna with what we do - my wife and I would willingly take them in and become our cats, it's just how we approach next door for I really don't know how she'll react.

Both need spaying/neutering soon, as they'll be around 4-5 months old now. I wonder how, as a single mum, she's going to be able to afford this, or even if they've been vaccinated.

What do we do??

(Sorry for the length of this - didn't know how else to describe things)

Wow that's a difficult one isn't it, how lovely are you two. Lucky kittens finding someone who cares.
I would talk to her, is she approachable? what age are her children.
She may be finding it a bit hard & you could be the help she need's, & it's not as if you are miles away if the kiddies want to see the kittens.
Just as long as you don't get used for paying all the bill's then her wanting the kittens.
I would have a word, tell her what's been happening & what you have done for the kittens.
Let us know how you get on....... looks like you both have fallen head over heels anyway

you could contact the cats protection league who cuuld help her and also see if the cats are in danger

Cats Protection

Success!

I'd been worrying about them all day and I came home last night and they were delighted to be let back in again and be fed. I had my dinner and they 'assisted' in the way kittens do....

When my wife and her mother came in a little later, she said, "Have you seen the notice in next door's window"?

She'd put a notice up, offering the two kittens to a good home - I rang her immediately and she's so pleased we've taken them in as she has a new job which gives her less money (all credit to her for wanting to work, even though it pays less than benefit) and she can't afford them.

So, they're now renamed "Mack and Mabel" and happily live with us now :-)

Just got to fetch them a coded collar key each for the electronic cat flap and then they can come and go as they please.

Then we'll get them vaccinated/identichipped and when necessary, neutered.

Two happy kittens and a happy "Mum and Dad" for them :-))))

That is brilliant new for them and you! Pics of them would be lovely

Well done you, how lovely that it all worked out for you in the end!!

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Mia - Dogue de Bordeaux
Teddy - Dogue de Bordeaux - Qualified for Crufts 2010 Whoo
Amber - Dogue de Bordeaux
Munch & Bunch - Leopard Gekos

Fantastic, it's great when it's a nice ending. Well done, & what lucky kittens are they

Aww what a happy ending. Do we get to see pics of the little darlings?

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a happy ending for two lucky kittens,i am so pleased that yoy have them, what a kind and caring couple you are that's really fantastic! have a wonderful life Mack & Mabel.

Great news They couldn't have been any luckier then to be with you both