A little over a month ago, the feral mother cat who is responsible for nearly all the other feral cats around here had another litter. Four cute little kittens. When the rains came, she moved them into the laundry room--her usual behavior--where they stayed until she thought I was getting too familiar with them. Then, about two weeks ago, she moved them across the ditch.
Yesterday afternoon, I went out to the back ramp and, lo and behold, I found three of the kittens, meowing at a fever pitch. I could hear the fourth one--sounded as though it was still across the ditch--and I figured the mother cat had not moved it yet. Somewhere around nine pm last night, the fourth kitten came tearing up the ramp from the deep darkness of the backyard in response to its siblings' cries.
I have no idea where the mother cat is. I don't know if they found their way here, or if she brought them. She's a conscientious mom, so I'm wondering if the marauding dogs got her, or maybe a coyote or hawk.
For the time being, the babies are in my laundry room with dry cat food and water. They can eat solid food, but I worry that they still need their mother's milk. The water will help hydrate them, but it's no substitute.
Anybody need a kitten? They're a bit clingy right now, but they should be ready for a good home in a week or two. You just have to promise to neuter them when they are old enough (ask your vet when that should be). They haven't had shots, either. I can't afford to inoculate every stray cat that hangs around here, even if I could catch them all.
So, here they are in a picture I took on May 5, before the mom moved them. They are slightly bigger, but not much. I don't know if they are boys or girls, yet, but time will tell!
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