Mother and babies warm safe and contained- finally!

[alleycat]

It has been a very tough 24 hours.
But they are all curled up together now on a blanket, all feeding and Shaky has eaten most of the food I left overnight and drunk lots of water, which I was worried about because she is eating mostly dry kitten food, not so interested in wet food.

It was awful getting them there.
It started raining yesterday morning and their shelter was leaking and it was very cold so it became quite urgent to get them inside.
We had to lift off the corregated iron they were under and as soon as we did Shaky bolted- into the house! So lucky!
When we lifted their roof about seventy three million mice ran out. Yuk.
I ran and shut her in the house and then we picked up the kittens, wearing gloves so less of our scent would be on them.

Once they were in their box I let Shaky in the room. She went to the box and picked one of them up and tried to shove it out under the door.
Then she stood in the middle of the room holding it and screaming.
This went on for ages.
Then she decided to hide it behind the laundry sink.
They stayed there, both crying, for two hours.

I was beside myself- the other kittens were all still in the box, not being mothered, and the one she had with her did not sound happy.
Eventually I decided that if she felt safe in the sink cupboard then I would move all the kittens there and maybe she'd care for them there. So I put a big soft wool blanket on the floor of the sink cavity and moved them all in.
Shaky and the one kitten moved behind the hot water heater when I did this.
During the next hour or so she hid them all behind the heater and bought them out one by one and fed them on the blanket in the sink cupboard.
By 1am this morning she had all five kittens curled up with her on the blanket!!!

It was a very painful process for everyone but I'm so glad they are all happy now and out of the elements.
They are starting to push themselves up on their front feet and fall over each other.
And amazingly, when I went in just now Shaky did not try to escape.
I know she'll never be tame but maybe she will become a bit less fearful.
Nelly.

[Tambrey]

What an experience for you all!! But it is good they are all safe and dry and warm...bless you two for taking them into your home...

Give Shaky time and she will tame...I would strongly suggest NOT letting her out...you have a new addition to your house she will tame and be fine wiht you...just lots of patience...

Now you will need to start finding homes for the babies when they are old enough (8 werks or so) to leave momma...she will let you know when it is time...she will stop nursing them and begin to posibly shove them away from her...you will recognize the signs...

Have fun and just watch them to be sure they are getting proper nutrition...and keep feeding Shaky the high quality kitten food and plenty of fresh water...

WHen you can, also, it would be agood idea for them all to go to the vet just for an overall checkup and shots that Shaky needs...and worming and all that fun stuff...please do NOT use OTC products for worming or fleas...they are dangerous to pets...

[Cleo]

Congrats on your successful efforts to get everyone inside!

I went through the same situation last summer when I found Gwen and her 4 kittens. Once inside, safe, dry, well fed and all health issues taken care of, I gained Gwen's trust and everyone is well acclimated to the indoors. I hope the same happens for you with Shaky.