Petfinder.com forums :: View topic - Los Angeles > Cat Problem, I need help/advice please [ ]

Without writing the entire story, as it's involved and complicated, I'll try to be short and sweet. A neighbor, who rented next door for only a couple of months, moved and abandoned a beautiful male cat. He is extremely friendly and came to say hello to me one day. We became fast friends. I began feeding him as I was sad that he was abandoned.

Somehow having food outside for my new friend attracted every stray can in the neighborhood. Two grey females, who were obviously feral as they wanted nothing to do with me, took up residence in my yard. A free meal ticket was attractive to them apparently.

They got pregnant by the abandoned Male and a few months later two litters of kittens appeared in my yard. 12 kittens, mewing and crying. I was overwhelmed and their feral mothers weren't too big on letting me take care of them. We lost 3 from each litter and now have only 6.

Being the kind soul that I am, as well as feeling responsible for this whole mess, I've been caring for the kittens. Well, it's been 4 months, they're not kitties anymore. But I can't deal with all of these cats.

The two feral mothers are friendly enough to be picked up and escorted out of my home, where I keep the 6 young cats at night. But they're feral and not really house cat material. The 6 young cats are beautiful black and grey cats. I wish I could keep them all but I simply cannot.

This is not going to be the short quick post I wanted, lol.

The Los Angeles County Animal Shelter is full. They told us they're not able to keep any animals and will promptly put any down that are left with them. They even had the gall to ask for a 50 dollar donation to consider taking any animals. To deal with the feral cats, they want us to 'rent' traps and capture them then have animal control come out to take them.

I am horrified at what a mess this has become for me and my family. What I thought was a kind act in caring for an abandoned cat has turned into a very expensive and complicated ordeal. And it's only going to get worse as the 2 feral females are already being courted by the abandoned male. They'll be pregnant soon and producing more kittens.

Every "cat rescue" I've contacted say they are full and ask that we be a foster home, to care for the cats until homes can be found. "Oh and please donate to help us help you find homes."

I'm fairly sure I can legally have 4 cats. I do want to keep the abandoned male, he is a beautiful and delightful cat. I'd like to keep three of the younger cats as they've grown on me. But I need to find a home for three of the younger ones and have to do something about the two feral females.

Please, does anyone have anything helpful to say, some good advice would be great. I desperately don't want to see any of these cats put down. Even the feral mothers, who may not be particularly friendly, don't deserve to die. They can't help the situation they are in.

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:26 pm Post subject:

I am in Canada, so I can only tell you what is available here, and may be there as well if you look. Our SPCA's will pay to alter the ferals if you're willing to care for them after. We also have an animal care society here that will pay for them to be altered as well, same thing you have to take them back and care for them. The animal care society will also pay a portion if not all for your own animals to be done if you are on low income. I would check with the vet clinics in your area to see if there is any help availalbe in your area, I suspect there will be. Good luck, you are so right they don't deserve to die, not their fault some human dumped them once they became a problem for them.
Let me know how you make out.

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:15 pm Post subject:

Getting these cats is altered is the only thing you can do. Many places will spay pregnant females, and 4 months old is definitely old enough for the kittens to be spayed, so I would concentrate on getting the females and female kittens done first.

Also, feral cats can't be picked up - you have friendly stray cats on your hands. This is a good thing because it means that long term you might be able to place them. Getting them spayed should be priority, however.

If you aren't willing to have them spayed, you should take them to the shelter so they can be adopted out or euthanized. Anything else will just lead to more and more cats.

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