The Urban Feline Experience

I really didn't need to see it, I got a pretty good handle on it, but here I go anyway.

First, gots'ta get up on the soap box a wee bit, or it just wouldn't be right.

If you are an animal love, if you need joy, adopt a pet. You'll both be better for it. Pick a kitten up off the street, go to a shelter get a puppy or better yet even for the seniors and those that just don't have the time get an adult animal. But if you do love them, have them spayed or neutered and don't let them roam. They'll live longer, healthier and happier lives for it and you'll know that you didn't add to pet overpopulation, unnecessary euthanasia of animals and doing the best you possibly can for your furbaby.

With that said, my Smokey has had his eye on this feral beauty for the last year. Green-eyed Calico, she is a bit of a sweetie but no way I'm letting my baby roam. Well, he's a happy man child tonight, a happy uncle man child! While I was gone today she jumped up on my balcony and gave birth to 4 kittens!!

Now, I really wish she hadn't, I do not need this, but I got to admit to being a wee bit pleased, mol. I'm glad she felt this the safest place, in all probability it was. And they are just the cutest dickens.

Odds are definitely against any of them making it. For now, I will provide the shelter she needs and food and water so that she can feed them. She's got to get them all through the 100+ degree temps, the brutal sun and the maintainence men. I don't know, they can't stay on the balcony forever, but there's an awful lot of high speed traffic down below too with I-17 an immediate neighbor.

My room mate says I should call the Humane Society tomorrow, that they are no kill and will have a much better chance at life.

Any y'all got an opinion?

Pictures, of course, forthcoming!

PEACE

Comments: 27

Trish T. Sep 27, 2009, 9:33pm EDT

If it's a no kill shelter then they will be safer than out in the heat. but the trick is to catching momma. If you can't get her to come to you call the shelter and ask if they have the hav a heart traps and you may be able to catch her with that and then take her and the babies in to the shelter. She will get the food and water and safety she needs to feed the kittens and they all will get the vet care they need. They will even get homes and spayed or neutered. I used to live in an area where people would just let their cats roam and I would get the Have a Heart traps and take them in to the vet to have them spayed/neutered when they had kittens. it got expensive but then I found a rescue place that helped out and took them in to do the same thing I was paying out of pocket for.

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:41pm EDT

Well, they are no kill and she's proving a good momma, always hanging close and in all likliehood wouldn't be impossible to catch. She loves her some salmon, mol, but just isn't going to work out as I'd hoped. This city is just tooo big, ferals far too great a number and unless they are injured or in severe trouble, no one is going to come for them. Me, I don't even drive and just got out of being unemployed for 6 months, just now gainfully employed, part time, minimu wage. I am broke and can't do much. Just going to feed her and hope for the best. This is all I could find out for my area anyway on ferals and kittens - click here

Trish T. Oct 1, 2009, 7:29pm EDT

Congrats on the new job! and good luck with momma and babies!

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Michelle S. Sep 27, 2009, 9:58pm EDT

i agree, the shelter would provide them the best chance for survival. plus they would be spayed/neutered before being adopted. it sounds like a win win for the shelter. hope all goes well. :)

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:47pm EDT

I concur, would have been a win, win but just isn't going to work out for me right now, best answer I got click here

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Linda T. Sep 27, 2009, 10:10pm EDT

If you are thinking of calling the shelter you may want to ask them what the exceptions to the no kill rule are. Two years ago we found some kittens who had been living under an old car in our yard. The mother cat was no where to be found. We brought the kittens to an ASPCA shelter with a no kill policy. Once there it was explained to us that kittens under eight weeks of age are not consider viable and would be put down.

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:51pm EDT

Well, no one will come for the babies. Our city is just too large, the feral population out of control and I'm just going to have to keep feeding momma and pray for the rest. Best info I got click here

Linda T. Sep 28, 2009, 10:53pm EDT

wow! Just read the article in your link.

• There are about 350,000 free-roaming, primarily feral, cats living on the streets of Maricopa County alone.

Those numbers are unreal. Just imagine what the numbers are for the whole country.

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 11:01pm EDT

I know, very scary isn't it. Can't stress the spay/neuter bit enough can we? Thanks for reading it Linda, I appreciate it!

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d d. Sep 27, 2009, 10:19pm EDT

maybe freecycle, maybe someone will want to adopt a kitten? or the grocery store wanted board? How sweet the kittens must be.

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:52pm EDT

Oh, you know they are sweet!! And they just going to be my problem for now, pray for the lot!

d d. Sep 28, 2009, 10:24pm EDT

would like to see pics. :)

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 11:36pm EDT

Here ya go - Kitty pics!

d d. Sep 29, 2009, 8:37am EDT

thank you, say how cute they were..will go back later today when i have time to look at each picture more slowly.

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Ellie !. Sep 27, 2009, 11:34pm EDT

You were picked...or Smokey was! I vote for a shelter. They will have a chance at a home. And hopefully, they can catch and "alter" mama. If she's wild, she may teach her kittens not to trust those horrible humans, too. See, she knew you were okay!
Hope you're good. I'm pooped...and have to answer a 4:15 alarm...zzzzzzzzzzz

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:54pm EDT

I do believe Smokey had a lot to do with her coming here, he'd invite all of Phoenix given the chance! He ain't talkin though and so far a shelter doesn't look very likely, maybe when they're older I may get someone to give us a ride in if possible, we'll see. Yups, they know a sucker, errrr, softie when they find one, don't they?!

Curt L. Oct 2, 2009, 1:12pm EDT

Great comment, Ellie!
I, too, believe the shelter is the way to go.

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Nancy S. Sep 28, 2009, 12:05am EDT

At least for a day or two you'll have some new entertainment. I opt for the shelter too but think I would make sure they have a no kill policy. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:55pm EDT

They are just the cutest Nancy!!! Not too active, haven't got their eyes open yet even but my maternals are all a flutter, mol! Shelter not looking too likely at the moment, time will tell

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 11:41pm EDT

Here they are Nancy - Kitty pics!

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Penny Switzer Sep 28, 2009, 8:44am EDT

Well, sis, I am definitely the wrong person to ask. I adopted a feral cat and her babies! Once you feed them and love them, you cannot part with them!!! I know your situtation is a little different than mine, but certainly, you can try to adopt them out! Send me some pics please.

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 9:58pm EDT

I know Penny!! And you know I would, wish I could, but this apartment would have a hard time with 5 more, our wallets couldn't handle 5 more spay/neuter, shots and 300 bucks a pop deposit with the landlord either! What's a mom to do? For now, I'm just stepmom, worrying and feeding them twice every day, we'll see what happens. You and mom should have the first, oh, about 30 photos in your inboxes by morning! One is white, one buff, one orangey and one black/gray tiger, all just too cute!

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vivi emerson Sep 28, 2009, 3:47pm EDT

Call your local vets. The hospitals or technicians usually will take them in and bottle raise them. Beware of letting them mingle with your own pets due to communicable things. If you take them in yourself, be sure and give them lots of discipline since mama won't be round to do it! But aren't they cute?

Ruth Luce Sep 28, 2009, 10:02pm EDT

Hmmmm.........never thought of the vets, might be some good heartstrings to pull on there alright. Gonna have to give that a discuss, thanks Vivi! Here's the best info I've found - Feral Kittens

vivi emerson Sep 29, 2009, 10:05am EDT

Any time...animals are a bit my thing...

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Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Oct 3, 2009, 3:27am EDT

Gosh 350 thousand feral cats in Phoenix?? Wow! I sure hope they get a handle on that but it takes an entire town to get involved in stopping the madness.

As you said being responsible and spaying and neutering one's pet's is the best way to go.

Good luck to you on your new job Ruth! And, of course good luck with your kitty cats!!

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Curt L. Dec 13, 2009, 3:33pm EST

Happy Holidays, Lady Ruth!

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The Urban Feline Experience

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