Maple's kitten adventures...

[PoultryPickins]

I always jump in with both feet,and the point of me joining this forum was to jump into the fray to learn and offer my own advice if i can.
Sorry if I come off as abrasive,but i do not know maple,Maybe in time i will who knows,but people have stolen cats from me before that i had but a few days,i take in alot of pregos,and anytime i hear someone has taken a cat off another property it raises a red flag for me.Maple you did not say in the first post what made you think the house was abandoned,maybe not necessary for those that know you,but i do not know you.There is nothing wrong with a prego cat being outside in winter as long as she has a good barn and sustenance.Odviously she did not have any if her bones were sharp,but i have had people complain to me when they pickup one of my cats that they can feel a bone,even though none can be seen.So again i do not mean to be abrasive i just wanted to put my thoughts out there,and i do wish you luck with the kitties.

 

[verity]

When you have been on this forum for a while you will 'get to know' Maple -- she is to be admired on many levels --

 

[bagendhens]

a cat that is outside is likely to go missing one way or another eventually, be it wandering away, getting in a fray, getting hit by a vehicle, succombing to tick, mosquitoe or other critter bourn desises...
those are the risks we take when we let our cats outside...
and if your going to have outdoor/barn cats...get them fixed...a pregnant cat in a good CARING family should NOT be left to give birth outside, in a barn ect unless that cat is a feral/otherwise unsocilized cat and NOT a pet...

my cat goes outside, she isnt happy unless she can, i KNOW and ACCEPT the risks that oen day she might not come home and if she doesnt its MY FAULT for letting her go outside plain and simple...

people dont typically "STEAL" cats...
most people dont go driving down the road stopping if they see a random cat and grabbing it to take it home...least not in my expereince...
however i know many people that will take in a cat if it jumps in their car, or shows up at their house ect...

cats are nomadic by nature...and if your cats stay neer home thats great...but by allowing them outdoors (ESPECIALLY intact animals) you are accepting the risk that they may never come home for one reason or another...its that simple.

i know many people have no problem letting thier "barn cats" stay intact, and give birth in the barn with no supervision, no socilization ect over and over again...because they are "only cats" or "its natural" but its not what I personally would call resible ownership...

again...if you let your cats outdoors, you accept the potential consequences...instead of accusing even backhandedly) a member of stealing someones cat because someone has "stolen" some of yours, either keep your cats indoors or get used to the fact that cats with acess to the great outdoors often just never come home...

this little lady is a VERY lucky kitty, she got to give birth to her babies in a warm home, with good food, heat and attention as she desires it...the kittens will be raised by obviously wonderfull people including 2 lovely little girls who will hold, talk to and play with those kittens every day turning them into well socialized, well rounded PETS and because of that have a much better chance of fdinging wonderful homes where they will be spay/neutered and kept safe indoors...
Maple...KUDOS to you...and kudos to your little girls for being eager to help out...remind them, the first few weeks need to be a little quiet, but once those eyes open and those babies start playing thats when THEIR job starts

 

[jerseygirl1]

OK, then, I think that if you are new, then you should read the rules before posting. Been there, done that, learned a few lessons along the way.

And Maple, I applaud you for doing what a lot of people would not have even thought of. Going thru what you are (and have been) - it takes a really good person to step up and take it on themselves to help an animal in need.

 

[PoultryPickins]

I asked I did not accuse.I have intact barn cats,and yes they are very social,like following me when I go for walks on our property,I watch my cats close enough to seperate females when they come into heat,and if we do get a accidental birth we take care of them and take up their life long care.We do not ask others to take care of them,and if we have room we will take in an already prego that someone has left with a rescuer that we know.Most of my cats live outside their entire lives,i have never had a cat that did badly outside.I am in a situation where I can afford to feed and care for all the cats we have.
We have a decent bit of acreage and several small barns throughout,and our cats are happy outside,they do not wander off of our land because we have enough of it.And they always smell like clean hay,which is a wonderful bonus.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
And thats fine... but again, if you let your cats outside, you know the risks of them not coming home.
Its your choice. We have our own way doing things in life..

Myself? If i see an outdoor cat hanging around my house, i trap it and rehome it... and find it an indoor home. (I do this for 2 reasons... #1: I DONT 100% KNOW that the cat actually has a home that feeds it and a warm place to sleep at night..so I just do the safe thing and rehome it... And #2: I dont want your cats in my yard. )
Again.. thats my choice and i have no problem doing it.

 

[maple]

It's ok. I'm ok. And more importantly, mama and her babies are ok.


I'm able to qualify for the spay/neuter voucher at the humane society to keep that cost down. There are so many cats and kittens at the humane society as it is, althought I really relished this experiance, I believe when it comes time that they will get spayed or neutered to keep the booming population down.

In my life, we have had cats that just show up at our home and end up staying and adopting us. Other times I have gone to the shelter and adopted cats and dogs and they have made wonderful pets. I have adopted 2 very loving outdoor cats from a byc'er who travels a lot so I was able to give them a great home. They have been spayed and neutered and they live on my 3 season porch and have a doghouse with an electric blanket, electric waterer, cat tree house, a cat door, and they love to roam the neighborhood...I've had 4 neighbors tell me they saw my male cat and they hung out outside together and petted and visited. He's quite the character. One neighbor even lets him in and cuddles while watching a movie. My neighbors...well, most of them...are great and wonderful and I've lived her all my life---minus college and a little beyond and I'll miss this place but I feel where I'm going will be just as great of a place to raise my family and bring my pets and flock in tow.

I already know my mom will take the mama. My girls and I have decided to keep the orange torti...since our orange tabby died of old age last fall and was very near and dear to my youngest daughter...she has a special fondness for the orange one. I have a few good leads on potential homes for the little boy kitten and the word is out at my chiro, the girls schools, church, and Brownie troop leader. I am sure we will be able to find a suitable home for him and he will be adored. One potential lead is my youngest daughters preschool teacher. I really hope she and her husband will agree to adopt when the time comes.

Thanks again for sharing all of your stories. I will post pics again as soon as batteries charge on camera.

 

[redhen]

Yeah, i was gonna say it was time fer more baby pics...

 

[maple]

Do you recall where I put the battery charger?

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Um... check your bedroom or the bathroom..or the kitchem.
.yeah.. thats where i saw it last time..