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Siwsan

(27,286 posts)
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 07:29 AM Aug 2023

I now have morning office hours to clean kitten eyes

Tegan was double closed and Bronwyn had straw stuck to her face. The rest of the kittens are fine. Mom has just given up on trying to intimidate me when I pick them up, although I do hear some mild hissing.

So I'm headed to a locally owned pet supply store to see if they have anything that might help. They are great when it comes to making suggestions.

So, obviously the mom is bringing the girls back, every morning, and then takes them back to wherever, at dusk. I might move the camera to overlook the feeding area so I can figure out in which direction she heads. The kittens remain very comfortable with me and sometimes even bumble to me when I call them.

Wish me luck with their eye issue and that they take shelter when the rain comes. I have my raincoat at the ready.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I now have morning office hours to clean kitten eyes (Original Post) Siwsan Aug 2023 OP
Did you just jump into this one day? ggma Aug 2023 #1
It was a massive leap of faith Siwsan Aug 2023 #3
Wow. That's impressive. You are all in for the kitties. Raven123 Aug 2023 #9
I think that mom's objections to you wnylib Aug 2023 #2
I think that's the situation Siwsan Aug 2023 #4
Try terramycin Bayard Aug 2023 #5
That's what I bought. Siwsan Aug 2023 #7
About the mom: AverageOldGuy Aug 2023 #6
Hopefully trap. Siwsan Aug 2023 #8
If you ever decide to monetize and start your own rescue I'd happily donate. littlemissmartypants Aug 2023 #13
I was told by our local humane society the best bait are Vienna sausages TexLaProgressive Aug 2023 #14
some info Jean Genie Aug 2023 #10
Thanks! Siwsan Aug 2023 #11
Blessings to you and the kittehs!!! Goddessartist Aug 2023 #12

ggma

(711 posts)
1. Did you just jump into this one day?
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 07:50 AM
Aug 2023

Or did you get some training? Has this been an on-the-job training kind of thing?

You seem to have found the perfect niche, and are living it fully. Side benefit? I'm enjoying it too. 😉

gg

Siwsan

(27,286 posts)
3. It was a massive leap of faith
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 07:59 AM
Aug 2023

During the pandemic. I found a litter of 4 kittens and took them in. I had zero idea what I was doing so I relied on others for help, and not only those I personally know, but the great people on DU. I kept 2 and a friend took 2. A year later, another litter. All have homes. Same thing with another litter, a year later. All adopted and Arthur stayed with me.

Now I think the word is out on the kitty cat telegraph that food and a baby sitter are available at that corner house. It's getting harder to find people to adopt the kittens so I'm HOPING to get them spayed/neutered and let them stay in the shelters I'm gathering. The kittens will be easy but it's the older, trap shy cats that are a problem.

I'm not the only one in the neighborhood who feeds them. I might be the only kitten day care.

wnylib

(24,392 posts)
2. I think that mom's objections to you
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 07:57 AM
Aug 2023

handling the babies can't be too serious because she keeps bringing them back. If she thought you were a real problem, she'd keep them away. But she apparently likes your breakfasts more than she objects to your baby handling.

Siwsan

(27,286 posts)
4. I think that's the situation
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 08:00 AM
Aug 2023

She did nail me, twice. The second time she swatted my finger so hard, I almost through she broke it!!

Now I'm MUCH more cautious.

Siwsan

(27,286 posts)
7. That's what I bought.
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 08:56 AM
Aug 2023

Of course it's started to rain so treatment will have to wait.

I also bought some cat calming treats, hoping it will make the kidcats more relaxed around Tudor. He is SO active. When I take him outside he has his friends to play with. So far, it's just me for inside activities. The big kidcats have put him on 'ignore'.

Siwsan

(27,286 posts)
8. Hopefully trap.
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 08:58 AM
Aug 2023

The local rescue surgery prices aren't bad.

She's still nursing the girls. I did buy a new humane trap. I'll probably start trying this weekend/next week.

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
13. If you ever decide to monetize and start your own rescue I'd happily donate.
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 10:29 AM
Aug 2023

Also, I had to trap a stray mama cat and caught her with sardines. I forgot who suggested that but it worked on the first try. ❤️

TexLaProgressive

(12,285 posts)
14. I was told by our local humane society the best bait are Vienna sausages
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 12:30 PM
Aug 2023

Worked great, but that mama cat really doesn’t like me much. She keeps her distance giving me the hate glare.

Jean Genie

(408 posts)
10. some info
Wed Aug 23, 2023, 09:26 AM
Aug 2023

I'm sure you must know about Alley Cat Allies, but if for some reason you don't, you might try contacting them. Their main focus seems to be trapping, neutering, then returning feral cats to their preferred environment. Saving kitty lives and giving them a happy, healthy environment - isn't that what we all want for the precious little felines? I'm certain you know far more about dealing with homeless cats that I ever will, but maybe this group can give you some advice and help with your noble task of saving the homeless but deserving kitties. There seems to be lots of information online, and ways to contact them. Bless you for caring for the darling, needy creatures.

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