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Our cat is going to be having her first litter of kittens. We have not had a litter before and would appreciate any advice:
1. If we wanted to give the kittens to a shelter, at what stage (weeks) would a shelter typically accept kittens?
2. If we wanted to put the kittens up for adoption, when is the appropriate time to do so? I believe I read wait at least 8 weeks? Must they have certain shots before being offered for adoption?
3. Is their feeding in the first 8 weeks exclusively mother’s milk?
4. What setup would work best for managing their potty habits? Right now, setting up a big box for mom to get cozy in with her babies.
My advice would be to get the mama cat spayed before she has another litter. I would also try to do adoptions myself, as I don't trust the large shelters. I don't think people who take in a a kitten from a private person have any expectation of shots etc, that is on them, I know I wouldn't expect it to be paid for, unless it was part of a fee, such as an adoption from a shelter.
I would try a cat rescue as opposed to a shelter. They will generally foster and are better (I think) at screening potential adopters.
As for your other questions, can't help there. I'm on my 1st litter. Mom is a feral-3 kittens a cat rescue will take as long as I get them used to people. They will then help me get mom spayed. Not all vets are open locally but they know which ones are, at least to them.
Kittens should remain with the mother for 13 weeks, and all be spayed neutered and vaccinated before sending off to new homes.
Charge a small fee and do a thorough check on anyone answering the ad. People look for kittens to do evil things to.
The mother should be kept strictly inside because she can get pregnant again at any time. I can't understand why she wasn't spayed already. You can have kittens and mother spayed and neutered all at once, perhaps the vet will give you a deal.
I repeat, do NOT let the mother out again until she is spayed.
These kittens are your responsibility. Do not take them to a shelter. Spay and neuter them and vaccinate them and find them decent homes. And spay the mother.
Last edited by catsmom21; 06-02-2020 at 01:42 PM..
I would try a cat rescue as opposed to a shelter. They will generally foster and are better (I think) at screening potential adopters.
good luck
Why should a shelter or rescue be burdened with these kittens? They have enough to cope with. These people deliberately let their cat get pregnant. The kittens are THEIR responsibility.
Why should a shelter or rescue be burdened with these kittens? They have enough to cope with. These people deliberately let their cat get pregnant. The kittens are THEIR responsibility.
because if it's a responsibility they don't want or can't deal with, the kittens should not bear the brunt of that.
because if it's a responsibility they don't want or can't deal with, the kittens should not bear the brunt of that.
No. They allowed their cat to get pregnant. It is their responsibility to see that the kittens are neutered and are placed in good homes. Shelters and rescues don't exist just so people can allow their cats to have kittens and them dump them on the shelter.
Shelters and rescues are already full to bursting this time of year from abandoned and abused cats and kittens.
Last edited by catsmom21; 06-02-2020 at 05:47 PM..
because if it's a responsibility they don't want or can't deal with, the kittens should not bear the brunt of that.
No it's a responsibility they asked for. They happily state this is their cats first litter without a thought that they should have had their cat spayed now or in the future.
People that purposely let their cats get pregnant like it's a good thing and then ask for advice need a dose of reality. What they should do is go to a shelter and watch cats and kittens be put down for lack of homes and overpopulation. Then take full responsibility of bringing these innocent little ones into the world knowing their chances of having good long lives in loving homes are slim.
but if they acted irresponsibly in letting the cat get pregnant (which they did) why would you expect them to act any differently when it comes to taking care of the kittens?
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