Expert: Jessica - 10/4/2010

Question
Hello there -
Over a year ago, a ferrel cat had three kittens under our deck.  That mother has since dissappeared.  She had two males and one female.  It took us a while to get the kittens to trust us.  We have neutered one male (the most trusting and sleeps in our house occasionally)  The female got pregnant BEFORE we could neuter her and had 4 kittens.  She has also become more trusting and we can finally is able to be pet and picked up to a certain extent.  We were just about to take her to the vet as the kittens are 2.5 months old and she has started to ween them.  The kittens are much friendlier as we have been letting them be indoor/outdoor, were planning on keeping one, and looking for homes for the three.  Last night, around 130am the kittens and the mother wanted to be let out.  We have a carrier and a basket outside.  We usually let them do their thing and get the kittens come back in after morning feeding.  3 of the 4 kittens are missing.  The shyest, most timid one, is still here.  I am hoping they are safe.  If they have wandered off, what are the chances of them finding their way back to our house.  I am heartbroked over this

Answer
Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear the kittens are missing.  Sometimes you won't see kittens for a day or two, and then they return safe and sound.  I have found when this happens, it's often because someone is feeding them a more delicious food!  

However, when you don't see the kittens for longer than 2 days, chances grow very slim that you'll see them again.  I would strongly recommend that you contact your local shelter and notify them that they're missing in case an animal officer has picked them up or someone has turned them in.  Also, ask neighbors if anyone else has been feeding them, and see if they'll keep an eye out for them.  I would also leave food out by the carrier for them to encourage them to stay at their home base if they're still around but thinking about moving on.

Best of luck!

Jessica