New Here & Cats that need homes

[petlover2006]

I am new here, but wanted to see if anyone knew of anyone in Iowa that can take in a cat and kittens.
I will spare you a long story, but a momma cat started coming around at the end of last summer and we felt bad for her and started feeding her.
We had seen her around but always thought she had a home, guess not cause she came back daily to be fed.
Well about 6 weeks later, We saw her laying around in the tall grass and went to check on her and she had babies!!
Ok we have always had dogs, we knew nothing about cats but knew she just needed fed and helped a bit.
It was not long until she not only came up on the porch to be fed but she brought her babies. Winter was coming and we were having no luck finding them homes so we built kennels and filled them with hay for winter and have cared for them since.
They are so adorable and I will not stop taking care of them but I can't bring them in doors with our big dogs, and they deserve a good home.
We make sure they are warm, and fed and watered and petted but they deserve more.
Does anyone know anyone to contact that could help us find homes for them?
Thank you for any help.

[jenluckenbach]

You need to find a rescue group or shelter in your area. If you do not, your kittens will be having kittens by late summer.

www.petfinder.org is a great place to locate what is available in YOUR area.

[petlover2006]

You need to find a rescue group or shelter in your area. If you do not, your kittens will be having kittens by late summer.
www.petfinder.org is a great place to locate what is available in YOUR area.

Thank you for the information. I took a look at petfinder and I am not sure what to look for? I saw shelters, but don't they put them down?
I don't want that.
I care about these little guys and want to make sure they find loving homes if possible.
We have taken them in for antibiotic shots when they got colds, and are planning on spaying both the momma and little girl.
I just want to do this right.
I was told the boys will try to mate at about 10 months? Is that true?
Also how about the little girl, how young can she get pregnant?
I am asking because I have got different opinions. Thanks

[Killer Kitten]

Thank you for the information. I took a look at petfinder and I am not sure what to look for? I saw shelters, but don't they put them down?
I don't want that.
I care about these little guys and want to make sure they find loving homes if possible.
We have taken them in for antibiotic shots when they got colds, and are planning on spaying both the momma and little girl.
I just want to do this right.
I was told the boys will try to mate at about 10 months? Is that true?
Also how about the little girl, how young can she get pregnant?
I am asking because I have got different opinions. Thanks

They can commence sexual activity as young as five months. I'm not sure how long the boys will be shooting blanks, but I've seen a five and a half month female get pregnant.

The males need neutered as well as the females. Otherwise they'll start spraying, fighting and wandering in search of mates. Half the blame for every litter produced belongs to the male - just because the kittens aren't born where you can see them doesn't mean that they don't exist and don't suffer. It's usually cheaper to get boys done, too.

Try introducing them to your dogs and see about integrating them into your home. Take it from a former dog person, once you go cat you'll never go back!

[jenluckenbach]

Yes, some shelter do kill the over abundance of animals, but not all do. You need to do your homework. read each of the websites of the rescues, email or call and ask questions. If nothing else, find a low cost spay/neuter program for them. Kittens as young as 4 months CAN become pregnant and when they get pregnant at that early of an age, it is VERY hard on them. The males need to be done too! Just because YOUR females won't be getting pregnant, doesn't mean they won't wonder off and mate with every unspayed female they can find. Mom could all ready be pregnant with her next litter!

I know it sems hopeless, but with help from people like you we CAN make a difference.

[petlover2006]

catmandu This Sadly Is Getting Out Of Hand!
There Are Just Too Many People Who Take In Pets And The Unwanted Puppies And Kittens Are Starting To Acuse A Lot Of Problems,through No Fault Of Thier Own.
Sadly This Will Become A Political Issue And Its The Responsible Cat Guardian Thats Going To Suffer,not The Idiiots Who Dont Care For Thier Pets

catmandu
all i did was take care of a cat that had babies who came from someone other than myself. I don't think I did anything wrong because I took in a stray. We basically turned our porch over to them.
With winter coming we really had no other choice?
I understand the males need fixed also, but with there being 4, I was planning on getting the girls done first so that they don't breed with the 2 males here.
So I don't know if you were trying to say I was not being responsible, but please understand I am asking for help and want to see them get a good home.