I now have morning office hours to clean kitten eyes

[Siwsan]

Tegan was double closed and Bronwyn had straw stuck to her face. The rest of the kittens are fine. Mom has just given up on trying to intimidate me when I pick them up, although I do hear some mild hissing.

So I'm headed to a locally owned pet supply store to see if they have anything that might help. They are great when it comes to making suggestions.

So, obviously the mom is bringing the girls back, every morning, and then takes them back to wherever, at dusk. I might move the camera to overlook the feeding area so I can figure out in which direction she heads. The kittens remain very comfortable with me and sometimes even bumble to me when I call them.

Wish me luck with their eye issue and that they take shelter when the rain comes. I have my raincoat at the ready.

[ggma]

1. Did you just jump into this one day?

Or did you get some training? Has this been an on-the-job training kind of thing?

You seem to have found the perfect niche, and are living it fully. Side benefit? I'm enjoying it too. 😉

gg

[Siwsan]

3. It was a massive leap of faith

During the pandemic. I found a litter of 4 kittens and took them in. I had zero idea what I was doing so I relied on others for help, and not only those I personally know, but the great people on DU. I kept 2 and a friend took 2. A year later, another litter. All have homes. Same thing with another litter, a year later. All adopted and Arthur stayed with me.

Now I think the word is out on the kitty cat telegraph that food and a baby sitter are available at that corner house. It's getting harder to find people to adopt the kittens so I'm HOPING to get them spayed/neutered and let them stay in the shelters I'm gathering. The kittens will be easy but it's the older, trap shy cats that are a problem.

I'm not the only one in the neighborhood who feeds them. I might be the only kitten day care.

[Raven123]

9. Wow. That's impressive. You are all in for the kitties.

[wnylib]

2. I think that mom's objections to you

handling the babies can't be too serious because she keeps bringing them back. If she thought you were a real problem, she'd keep them away. But she apparently likes your breakfasts more than she objects to your baby handling.

[Siwsan]

4. I think that's the situation

She did nail me, twice. The second time she swatted my finger so hard, I almost through she broke it!!

Now I'm MUCH more cautious.

[Bayard]

5. Try terramycin

Good for what ails most animal eyes. Antibiotic ointment.

Good luck!

[Siwsan]

7. That's what I bought.

Of course it's started to rain so treatment will have to wait.

I also bought some cat calming treats, hoping it will make the kidcats more relaxed around Tudor. He is SO active. When I take him outside he has his friends to play with. So far, it's just me for inside activities. The big kidcats have put him on 'ignore'.

[AverageOldGuy]

6. About the mom:

Any way to trap, neuter, and release (or keep, put up for adoption)?

[Siwsan]

8. Hopefully trap.

The local rescue surgery prices aren't bad.

She's still nursing the girls. I did buy a new humane trap. I'll probably start trying this weekend/next week.

[littlemissmartypants]

13. If you ever decide to monetize and start your own rescue I'd happily donate.

Also, I had to trap a stray mama cat and caught her with sardines. I forgot who suggested that but it worked on the first try. ❤️

[TexLaProgressive]

14. I was told by our local humane society the best bait are Vienna sausages

Worked great, but that mama cat really doesn’t like me much. She keeps her distance giving me the hate glare.

[Jean Genie]

10. some info

I'm sure you must know about Alley Cat Allies, but if for some reason you don't, you might try contacting them. Their main focus seems to be trapping, neutering, then returning feral cats to their preferred environment. Saving kitty lives and giving them a happy, healthy environment - isn't that what we all want for the precious little felines? I'm certain you know far more about dealing with homeless cats that I ever will, but maybe this group can give you some advice and help with your noble task of saving the homeless but deserving kitties. There seems to be lots of information online, and ways to contact them. Bless you for caring for the darling, needy creatures.

[Siwsan]

11. Thanks!

Once this baby falls asleep I'll check them ut.

[Goddessartist]

12. Blessings to you and the kittehs!!!