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About Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.

Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cats > Stray pregnant

Cats - Stray pregnant

Expert: Norman Auspitz - 11/2/2009

Question
Hi,
Im not sure if this cat is stray, im pretty sure she is though, shes very skinny, and pregnant, and not long to go by the size of her tummy.
Im not too sure what to do though, shes very affectionate, but i cant let her in the house as we have 2 male cats. Ive put a box in our shed with a few blankets and have been feedin her and givin her some warm semi skimmed milk everyday. I put water out but she doesnt drink it and it just freezes.

I tryed calling humane society but as usual they didnt call back, and i found out they wud abort her babies to.
Im not sure wat to do? or how ide helo her give birth..
and its almost winter, im in alberta,canada, itll get -40...
will they b able to survive?? please help.

Answer
Keira,

Is there any place in your house you could confine her away from the two male cats until she gives birth? I lived in Southern Ontario for 15 years and did visit Alberta many times in winter, so I have some idea about the temperatures. I really am not sure she and the kittens would survive the temperatures, especially at night. If mama has a good thick coat, the kittens may do OK. Newborn kittens cannot regulate their body temperature, so must rely on mama to keep them warm. This warmth is as vital to them as mother's milk in the first week or so after birth.

As to water, if mama is getting wet food and the skimmed milk, she does not really need any water. Is there electricity in the shed? If so, have you considered a heating pad turned as low as it can go? If you can use a heating pad, be careful as they can get too hot. I would put the heating pad under lots of blankets and male sure the blankts are half on and half off the heating pad, so if it gets to hot, mama can move over to an area not quite so warm.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.

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