Workplace Kitty Rescue

[moosmom]

I was sitting at my desk, when I glanced out the window and noticed one of the shop workers walking by with 2 kittens in this arms. I ran out the door to find out what was going on.

Well, it seems some STUPID, IRRESPONSIBLE, MORONIC, IDIOT, BUTTWIPE PET OWNER dumped off their female cat and her 5 kittens in the bushes of where I work, instead having her spayed.

I went back to where the other shop guys to trying to round up the other 3 kittens. We got 2 of the others, but one kept avoiding us.

I learned years ago to always have a cat carrier, food and water in my car. Very wise.

I put the kittens in the carrier with food, water, and a makeshift litterbox. I took them to the shelter where I work (they're doing great except for being flea infested).

So I go back to my work. About 2 hours later, the guys, instead of eating their lunch, went out looking for the other kitten. The found him in a shrub. Since I couldn't drive him myself, I called Animal Control. This kind, gentle man appeared with thick leather glove on. I just started laughing. When I showed him this 5 week old kitten, he started laughing. "Here's your vicious feline."

They are now in the nursery doing very well. I paid them a visit after work. They all got a flea bath and will be placed for adoption in about another week, once they've been tested, vaccinated and gotten a clean bill of health.

Now the question is, do I trap the mama??? I'm afraid if I do and she's feral, they'll put her down.

Any suggestions?

I'll take pictures of them Saturday when I go to the shelter.

[ramanth]

ARRRGGGHH!!!! Stoopid people!

Donna, could you trap the momma to be fixed and re-released? She'll just have more babies..

Glad work didn't give you crap for helping the babies.

[moosmom]

Nah,

They were great about it. They are animal lovers. I set the trap up today at lunch. Just took a quick jaunt to check it and it's empty still. I'll come in early and check it. It's pretty unobtrusive so no one will bother it or the cat, should she decide to go in it. The shop guys have told me she was wandering around looking for her babies this morning.

Babies are fine. Saw them at lunch. Made a deal with the shelter director. If I trap her, they'll assess her, de-flea her, do her shots and a complete check up. If she's feral, or even semi-feral, I agreed to take her to my house with a cage so I can work with her in the spare bedroom, rather than taking the chance of them just putting her down. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[rg_girlca]

Geesh, Words cannot describe what I feel for people like that. Well words that I can't write here that's for sure.

Bless you Donna and the shop workers for rescuing these babies.

Good luck in trapping the momma. I hope everything turns out well for her and her babies.

[moosmom]

I was at the shelter this morning. One of the kittens has already been adopted!! The other 4 are doing great!

I've been trying all week to trap mama, but I think I need to get a different trap. The one I'm using doesn't seem to be closing fast enough. The shop guys tell me she's still around, so I'll give it another try.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Great news Donna. Good luck catching the mommy! Sounds like you work for a GREAT company. I've been late for work twice (in 3 years) after stopping to rescue animals that I've seen whilst driving to work. On both occasions I got an EARFUL from my manager. So Iv'e decided next time I'll just say I got a flat, or I had to stop in at the school and talk to a teacher.

Of course when this happens in the morning, it also makes the kids late for school. Far from complaining about it, the principal was very sweet and encouraging - he says it sets a good example and hopefully when my kids are big they'll be the ones that stop too - not the hundreds of others who drive straight past!


One thing I DO wonder about though. My hubby syas I am like a MAGNET for mangy moggies (his words - and said with affection). It honestly seems like no matter where I go I see a cat in need of trapping / feeding / something.

ARE some of us just like magnets (like the Mommy having her kittens at YOUR place of work, and not another random address where they would not have been cared for?) or does it just seem that way because we are more aware of the cats, and so always notice them?

[moosmom]

I haven't tried trapping mama for a couple of days cuz I need to get a better trap.

I'm going to put food in there and wire the trap open for a few days so she gets used to feeding in. Then I'll put tuna and try and see if I can trap her. Either she's very elusive and good and avoiding the trip plate, or the trap is a crapping one that needs to be replaced.

Either way, I will get her. Alot of the shop workers have seen her around. If she's not feral, I'll bring her to the shelter where they can do a complete physical on her, giver her vaccinations, etc. This way they pay for it and have her fixed. Then I'll offer to foster her (I DO have an ulterior motive but in a good sense). I'll keep her for a while till she gets adjusted to my house and offer to adopt her, like I did with Fawnie. Sounds like a plan to me.

If she IS feral, I'll have her fixed and put her back out. I'll set up a feeding station and shelter for her so she has somewhere to go and will be fed on a regular basis. There is alot of room around here in shrubs where I can hide it. I'd rather do THAT than take her to the shelter and have her put down, again because of stupid, buttwipe, irresponsible pet owners. BTW, 2 more of her babies got adopted!! Only 2 more to go!!

[K & L]

Yes, Yes, trap the mom or you'll just have more little kittens to worry about. Do you have an area you could relocate her to that would be safe?

[kimlovescats]

Great job, Donna! So happy that 2 of her babies have been adopted! Good luck on catching Momma!

[moosmom]

Ally Cat's Mommy,

Talk about addicted!! I was on my way home last night from my part-time job at Big Lots. I happened to see a tiger and white cat cross the street where I stopped at a stop sign. I rolled down the window saying "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, I have food and water if you want it!"

She looked at me, stopped then kept on walking. See???? Am I pathetic or what????

[momofcats]

" ARE some of us just like magnets (like the Mommy having her kittens at YOUR place of work, and not another random address where they would not have been cared for?) or does it just seem that way because we are more aware of the cats, and so always notice them?"

I think some of us are magnets. I can't tell you how many times I made my husband stop for a stray dog (including a pitbull on the side of an expresway with a bag over it's head ) or how many mom & kittens ended up in my yard versus neighbors.
May sound silly to some, I think that animal's guardian angel guides them to us because we need to watch and care for them.

[moosmom]

I got a new trap from the shelter yesterday. I found out the mama has been hanging around an empty house and garage across the street from where I work, so that's where I set it, complete with smelly sardines!!! I'm going back there tonight after dark to check the trap and then again in the morning.

I'm gonna catch her come hell or high water!! She was stuck inside the shop last night. Evidentally she hiding somewhere in the shop when they closed up and went looking inside the garbage cans looking for food. That's a good sign, I guess.

I'll let you know how I make out. Stay tuned!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that most of the kittens have found new homes. Goodluck on trapping the mother.

[moosmom]

I checked the trap at around 8:30 p.m. last night and it was still open.

When I got into work this morning, the trap was tripped but none of the sardines was missing and there was no cat it the trap. The wind must've blown it shut. I re-set and will check it when I get out of work at Big Lots.

[ramanth]

*crossing my fingers that you catch the momma soon*