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Cats/Pregnat Cat lost oustside

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Expert: - 5/16/2009


Question
My cat is an outdoor cat my nature, and she was not fixed (We were told she was too small.) When my parents learded she was going to have kittens, the put outside. She came back in to eat then left and she has not came back. We looked everywhere for her. Under the house in the ally, no luck. Alot of people said they saw her going across the street but we haven't yet seen her.

Answer
Lulu,

Does your cat have a collar with tags on it so that anyone finding her can call you? If she doesn't wear a collar with tags is she microchipped? At this stage about the only thing you can do is to make up flyers with your cat's picture, the fact that she's pregnant and your contact information. I'd suggest posting them at shelters and vet clinics - it's also not a bad idea to contact all of the local cat rescues and leave the information with them so that if your cat does go through intake at a shelter, rescue group or vet clinic you can be contacted. You might also find it useful to take an ad out in your local newspapers including free publications with your cat's picture, description, the fact she's pregnant, identification she might have and your contact information. Offering a reward on "Missing Cat" posters can sometimes mean that people will be more likely to call you rather than taking your cat in as a stray.

You can also try borrowing a humane live trap from your local shelter or rescue group, baiting it with your cat's favorite food (I find something smelly like tuna, salmon or sardines works best) and sitting just out of sight so you can check the trap every few minutes or so. If you do want to use a humane live trap it's best to ask your neighbors in the area where your cat's been seen not to feed your cat for a day or so before you put the trap out, a hungry cat responds much more readily to the offer of food than one who's got a full tummy. The down side of using a humane live trap is that you could find yourself in the position of catching a skunk or other wild animal that you would need to call an expert in to release, but if your cat is spending time in the neighborhood you just might catch her...I'd suggest placing the trap in areas that she's been seen in so that you have an idea of where her kittens might be if she's had them outside.

The gestation period for cats ranges between 60-68 days with the average pregnancy being about 63 days. If mom has had her kittens outside you'll want to look in warm, dry, dark and slightly cramped places throughout the area you find her in - this would mean asking neighborhood residents if they will allow you to look under their garages, sheds, decks, porches, etc. Best of luck, hopefully you'll find her soon.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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