Cat has given birth in our garden - what to do?

radioactiveman

Hi
A cat has given birth in our garden behind our oil tank - literally just an hour ago.
What should we do with her? There are about 4 kittens. We didn't go very close to the cat because we have a dog as well that's not aggressive but still might upset the cat..
We're just concerned that if we try to move her it might be difficult or she might abandon the kittens.
Also we can't just leave her there because the dog will eventually need to go out there.

SophiaF

I would call your local ISPCA or other rescue centre first thing in the morning.
As for the dog would it be possible to take him into the garden on lead until you have managed to get them sorted.
Also I would put out a good secure box with some cat food in if you can. She may move them into it and then she will be easier to gether up when the time come. But the box close but not so close to scare her, hide it if possible.
Hope all works out well

seamus

OK, ideally you would leave it alone. Keep your distance and avoid chasing the mother away.

If you do manage to scare the mother away, do not take the kittens. Leave them there, the mother will return for them if you leave the garden.

As SophiaF says, leave them there overnight and then ring your local SPCA first thing in the morning. They can advise you what to do.

radioactiveman

Thanks for reply! Just checked, and the cat it still there with the kittens. We'll keep the dog away from them for now,best not to upset the cat.

Should we perhaps try to catch the cat and keep it in our shed for the night with the kittens? or just leave it and if she's still there in the morning then call the local animal rescue?

seamus

If you try to catch her, you risk scaring her away and if the kittens are brand new they won't survive more than a few hours without their mother. They will also be at risk from predators (foxes and such).

If it is at all possible, leave them be and contact the local animal rescue first thing.

SophiaF

She will be fine out overnight. Cats are very good mothers and she may move them over night if she feels they are too exposed or not safe. If you move her tonight she will just get overly stressed and may abandon them or even be too stressed to feed them, so I would wait until you talk to the experts.
Its a very kind thought though, most people would be wondering where to get rid of them, not how to help

Qualitymark

At some stage, though, you're going to have to call in the ISPCA or the local shelter to catch the cat and kittens and neuter them. Preferably the cat first, then the kittens, to avoid terror and stress.

If you don't neuter them, all those sweet little kitties are going to be having their families in your garden, and unless you're a reclusive millionaire who can afford to feed millions of cats, you're going to have mangy, starving cats there.

radioactiveman

Update on this cat business, cat is still there behind our oiltank with 5 healthy looking kittens. We called the local animal rescue and got a phone number for a person who takes care of these type of incidents. Tried to call that number but got no answer, must be office hours-only.

Our dog had an appointment with the local vet for a check-up just an hour ago, so we asked the vet what to do for now with the little kittens. She gave us yet another number to phone tomorrow morning, for a local small scale animal rescue. So first thing tomorrow morning we need to call both of the places, surely someone will take the cat and the kittens.

Our dog is going mad not being let run around normally in the back garden tho

Run_to_da_hills

radioactiveman wrote: »

A cat has given birth in our garden behind our oil tank

It shouldn't be too difficult to think up names for the kittens, BP, Shell, Esso Texaco and Topaz.

SophiaF

Any news? I have been thinking about your poor dog, hope he isn't going too nuts

radioactiveman

Hi!
We tried to give the cat some food but she got scared and actually moved the kittens. So we don't know where she is at the moment.
But she ate the food at least so hopefully her and the kittens are doing ok

morganafay

Well at least cats are brilliant mothers, I'm sure they are ok.