What do I do? Kittens..... Update2: They're both alive!

[Eli]

OK... Here's the story...

About a month ago, we found 2 kittens in our shed. I think I may have posted about it, don't remember.

Anyway, that night.. a guy came, and said he was there to get the kittens.. we thought that was great.

Well, about a week ago.. I saw the kittens in the field behind our house. The mother must really not like their home, since she brought them back outside again. They are wild now, completely afraid of people. They looked at me like I was some strange creature.

Anyway.. about 2 days ago, the mother showed up on the road, dead. And now the kittens are just back their crying their little eyes out. Actually, I have only seen one.. I fear the worst for the 2nd Although you would think they could live more than 3 days without food.

I estimate the kittens to be 6-8 weeks old. They had just opened their eyes when we found them in our shed.

Since they won't let me near them.. the only thing I know to do is try and get them food. We bought some canned kitten food, and put it out there with some water..

I stuck around and watched. The kitten showed some interest, but was afraid of the containers.. and wouldn't go near them.. and just layed down and started crying again. I don't think it saw me.

I hope it comes around and eats the cat food.. I imagine it is very hungry, I'm surprised it didn't just run over there and start chowing...

We will check in the morning to see if it has eaten any.. I sure hope it does.

What would you guys do?



Update:
I went out there, and it had eaten the whole big can of food!! :Q Should I put another can out there? I'd have to put it in the ramshakle barn again, because it is POURING.. I doubt the kitten would come out, and the food would be ruined.

Mannn.. While I was going out there, I was RIGHT next to the barn, and it stuck its head around the corner to see what the noise was, I should've grabbed it, but I froze on instinct so I didn't scare it, but it still ran away......

Oh well, at least it is eating. It is starting to get very cold, do you think the kitten is big enough to keep itself warm? It's about 36F right now.

It was still crying... I am thinking maybe I should spend a few hours trying to capture it with a towel or something....

Update2:

Well, I went out there today, and to my surprise.. they were both in the box! The one I had been seeing bolted away too fast for my reaction time, but I caught the smaller one. It must have been hiding the whole time, that's why I didn't see it before. It definately didn't like being picked up, but I think it will get over it once it figures out I'm not going to eat it. That explains how so much food was disappearing so fast.

I made a nice home for it in our shed(since we don't have a room in the house suitable..). I'm going to put some food out there for tonight, and then try and make friends with it in the days to come. It didn't like being picked up, but it didn't mind being petted.. so that's good.

Looks like the two kittens adopted us.

 

[Analog]

I think they may take milk from a small bottle?

 

[Liviathan]

Bring closer to you with food...it will probably take a few minutes.
After that if you can't keep them take them to the humane society...they won't be destroyed there and hopefully will find a good home.

Leave some food out to see if the second one shows up.....

 

[squirrel dog]

I would try and get them in your house/befriend them and ask around to give them away.Of course all the cat haters will flame this but for what you are saying,these creatures dont have a friend in the world...

 

I would take them to the vet, or SPCA

 

[compudog]

I'd actually call my local ASPCA or shelter and ask thier advice. They may be able to get the kitten in a live trap and get it medical attention and adopt it to a good home.

 

[Wag]

Unfortunately there's not much you can do with feral kittens. It takes alot of work to domesticate them once they become feral.

If you leave food out they'll eat it when they get hungry enough and you can try to move yourself closer to the food each time they're out there. Try to feed them by hand and get them comfortable with people.

There are animal shelters that don't euthenize, but usually have a long waiting list. Look around.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

If it's really hungry it will eat the food you set out. We had a cat of ours exactly like this that we didn't really pay attention to, it was one that no one wanted when we gave away the rest. It wouldn't let anybody near it but when we set out food it would stare at us and kinda walk backwards like it was scared. But when I'd go inside and look out the door it would go for the food. If you can afford it just keep setting out food and try to tame the kitten to where you can pet it or give it some attention. If this works you will be stuck with a cat most likely, if you don't want one as soon as it is tamed down a little take it to the nearest humane shelter.

 

[huesmann]

dinner?

 

[Eli]

Remember guys, I can't get near the kitten.. or I would just go snatch it up and bring it inside. There is an old ramshaked barn in our back yard, and it is living in there.. At least it has a place out of the rain and wind.

That was our plan.. If it eats the food, we will move the food closer and closer to our place, until it is on our doorstep.. but the poor little thing is so young, I hope it's instincts kick in....

I guess if it doesen't eat the food, we can resort to drastic measures.. trying to capture it. Could probably do it with 2 people and enough time, even though there are a lot of brambles out there.

 

[Wag]

Put some toys out by the food, especially stuff with catnip. Then you can start moving the stuff inside.

 

[Azraele]

See if you can get a humane trap to trap the poor fella.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Azraele
See if you can get a humane trap to trap the poor fella.

I thought about that, not really sure where to get one.. As afraid as it was of the can and water dish, I'm not sure it would ever go inside a trap.. lol

 

[Azraele]

I thought about that, not really sure where to get one

You can check your local shelter/pound for one.

 

[Wag]

Put catnip in there. Some cats just can't resist it.

My cat will totally destroy anything with catnip on it.

 

[iwearnosox]

The local humane society or feral cat group can help you with a humane trap. The feral folks are experts in this if you have one local. It will be scary for the cat but it's the best thing for them, it doesn't sound like they're in a good spot..

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: Wag
Put catnip in there. Some cats just can't resist it.

My cat will totally destroy anything with catnip on it.

Dumb idea, catnip is not effective on cats < 1 year old, and especially not on newborns.

 

[iwearnosox]

Eli actually I'm really concerned now, the food you've put out is probably not edible if these are newborns. You need to find a way to get them the proper care immediately or they will surely die.

 

[Wag]

Not neccessarily true. It's not as effective but it does work. Catnip doesn't work on all cats to begin with, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

 

[iwearnosox]

Feral cat coalition of Oregon.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: Wag
Not neccessarily true. It's not as effective but it does work. Catnip doesn't work on all cats to begin with, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

I've owned dozens of cats and worked at a shelter, I've never seen a kitten react. It's not harmful per se, other than taking up time that I don't think exists if these are newborns. He needs to choose a proper course of action in a proper amount of time if he's to help them.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Eli actually I'm really concerned now, the food you've put out is probably not edible if these are newborns. You need to find a way to get them the proper care immediately or they will surely die.

I know..... that's one of the reasons we picked up kitten formula instead of adult...

They are *somewhat* old, they aren't newborns.. like I said, I think they are 6-8 weeks old.. When do kittens normally open their eyes? Pretty sure it was about a month ago that they were in our shed.

When do you normally start feeding cats normal catfood?

 

[tcsenter]

In many states, domestic cats are considered feral animals so animal control will not come out to trap or capture them.

 

[iwearnosox]

alright, it sounds better than I thought. Kittens 5-6 weeks of age typically transition to kitten food ok, I missed that in your post.

Beyond the food route they are in danger from other predetorial animals and even other feral cats. It's important to get them proper care, some shots and a home so they don't grow up truly feral.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
In many states, domestic cats are considered feral animals so animal control will not come out to trap or capture them.

The link I provided is for groups outside of city animal control. There are dedicated feral cat groups that would be happy to assist in humanely trapping them.