[FOAK] Wild kittens.

I've got a wild cat in the street who recently has had four kittens. If
I catch the kittens and give them to people as pets, would they adapt
to human contact? I ask, as the mother who's been lurking around
outside my home for the last couple of years still won't let me caress
her, so I'm wondering if the kittens would have the same trait.

The (French version of the) RSPCA won't take them (as they're wild) and
suggested the agency that's responsible for catching and putting down
wild animals. I don't want to do this, but I need to find some sort of
solution.

 

:

<snip cat stuff>

Have a look at
http://www.celiahammond.org/index.p...er_op=view_page&PAGE_id=29&MMN_position=50:50

The Celia Hammond Trust never put down any rescue animals, unless it
is unavoidable. Though they are UK based, it might be worth trying
them to see if they know any organisation in France that could
assist.

 

I've homed feral farm kittens in the past. They've usually made good pets
[0] and the last two lived very long lives[1]. Both were exceptionally good
mousers[2]

If they are being taken into a home with other cats then the owner needs to
ensure that their existing cats are well vaccinated against any parasites
and diseases common in the wild.

[0] entertaining, playful and sometimes vicious rather than a boring lap
cat fattypus
[1] 17 & 19 years
[2] well, mice, rats, pheasants, smaller birds, slow worms, adult rabbits
and even a weasel were brought home over the years.

--
wessie at tesco dot net

BMW R1150GS

"Wessie is a lovely man with many wonderful qualities" TM Blaney

 

Hmmm - may be related to this one though -

 

My friends in France live next to a farm and have homed two of the
(feral) mothers' kittens. They've never been able to get near the
mother, but the kittens are both domesticated and loveable.

 

Cheers mate. I've dropped them a line.

 

I found that out this afternoon. They must be about 3 months old and
they've already bought me a present of a mouse that was probably as
half as big as the kittens.

Oh, I knew that already, as I've got my own cat to look after.

 

Ta for the info.

 

How would the kittens know what to do? IWT they'd be fine if you get to
them early enough.

 

Ah, they've adopted you. You're doomed.

One of our non-feral five is a great bringer of "presents". She was
particularly proud of a strange furry object that turned out to be
half a squirrel's tail. The original owner is still jumping about the
trees locally, looking slightly bereft.

 

Other half works at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home one day a week - I'll
ask if they know of anyone as well.

I was in Paris for about 4 hours last Friday - if I'd had a bit more
time I'd have suggested a beer. Sigh...

 

Don't you just love context?

--

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CBR1100XX SuperBlackbird (Buen mueble de patio)
And a pushbike of some sort.
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UKRMMA #30

 

One of our cats can best be described as coming from a feral
background in that his parents were farm cats that nobody could get
near. He's tame enough but his idea of playing usually ends with
somebody bleeding and/or swearing at him.

 

I'd say it depends on the kitten. I took two in from a similar
situation. one adapted well and lived happily for a long time.

the other half adapted, would sit on your knee, accept fusses and food
but every so often would wander off and live wild until caught and
kept in for a few days, ad infinitum. died during one of these stints
having been attacked by some dogs.

--
Adie
(replace spam with nickname to reply)

UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/
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Heh, the next time. I'm pretty much around most of the time atm.

 

Heh, I didn't read it like that, 'til you popped up.

 

I've got one or two that I can give you, if you want a replacement?

I'm hoping I can calm them down enough to be human friendly. Then the
SPA may take them in.

 

One of mine seems to be doing rather well of late.

Most recent was a large rat , we had three mice in various states of
disrepair within 48 hours , two birds have lost feathers all over my house ,
and there was a large ornamental fish in the dining room.

--
Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger. Then I hide until it goes away"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk www.ebayfaq.co.uk

 

i believe the handling is the key; if they get human hands on them
right from the beginning, they get humanised. Leave it much past 4-6
weeks and they're (possibly) feral.

 

Yes, no problem. I've had two cats who were rescued from feral litters
on a trout farm where my sister was working. Admittedly one of them[1]
was taken away at birth, seeing as mum and siblings had died of Cat
Flu, and he was almost there himself. But t'other one was weened, so
presumably 6-8 weeks old, before being taken away. He didn't actually
come to us til some years later, but was perfectly well-adjusted to
humans.

No, it won't be inherited.

Bastards. Isn't there a Cat's Protection League equivalent?

Send one down here.


[1] On a side note Bart, the first one, who's now 18 and has always
been ~80% blind, decided to go for a swim in our pool last night...
I've given up counting how many lives he's lost, but it's a damn sight
more than 9 by now.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
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