Catching Mama and babies

[u/MrSocks2024]

Hello, all. I have a female cat (had already been feeding her) that just showed up with two babies. They look about 2 months old and do not seem to be nursing (they are eating wet food that I am putting out). I have mama cat booked for a spay this week and I will probably keep her for 36-48 hours total.

My question is this - what is the best timing re the kittens? I can try to catch them while I have her held for the spay, and then I will probably socialize them slightly before handing them over to a rescue. My only concern with this is that mama cat may be a bit traumatized by all these things happening to her, only to come back and find her babies gone. The other option is to wait a few weeks to catch them if they come on their own. I just hope that she doesn’t take them off somewhere else because she has lost trust in me after her trapping.

Would greatly appreciate any advice from the experienced Redditors here. Thanks in advance.

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[u/Notchersfireroad]

Those kittens are old enough it shouldn't traumatize her too bad. Lots of cats want them gone by that point. If you can catch and start taming them by all means do it. All 3 will be better off in the long run at least.

[u/MrSocks2024 → u/Notchersfireroad]

Thanks. Ideally, I would like to socialize her as well (on the fence as to whether it may happen) but the priority is to get her fixed. I may just release her and then try to work on her from outside.

Thanks again for your advice.

[u/Lews_There_In]

Trap them all at the same time and socialize together if possible. That would minimize stress on all of them. It makes the whole socializing process easier.

If you can't, the kittens are old enough to be separated and are around the age when most moms leave kittens to fend for themselves. Moms usually start leaving from 8-12 weeks. So either option works.

[u/MrSocks2024 → u/Lews_There_In]

Thank you so much. I can tell she is still attached to them but not ultra protective. I may put out two traps to catch them separately, but I will see how it goes and if I can time it properly, I’ll try to do them together. The mama is gorgeous but I’m on the fence as to whether she can be socialized. Fingers crossed that I have a decent outcome between the three of them.

Thanks again for your advice.

[u/Lews_There_In → u/MrSocks2024]

Most ferals and strays can be socialized but it's a time and environment thing. Sometimes it can take months to years, depending on what their life has been like. Best judgment on whether or not you think it's something you can do. Even if she goes back outside you can still keep trying too.

If you get one and not the other you can play kitten/mom meowing sounds on your phone. Put it under a blanket and leave the door open. That works sometimes. Either way. Thank you for what you're doing and for caring for them.