I missed a female calico in the round of feral fixing last spring. She gave birth to three kittens in my neighbor’s garage. Once I was sure the kittens were over two pounds (the minimum weight for neutering), I started up the trapping again. After checking that the shelter was still doing TNRs (Trap Neuter Release) I caught two of the kittens the night before TNR day so I could keep them away from food and water to reduce the risk of aspiration during surgery. I dropped off my youngest at school and headed to the shelter. Alas, the TNR vet was sick. No TNRs. Oh dear. I knew if I let the kittens go, I would not catch them again, so they got to hang out in the guest room while I figured out the next step.

One of our local cat rescues has donated slots at a local TCAP, and they had two spots available for ferals the next day. Phew. Luck was definitely on my side since these slots only happen once a month, and this was the last set until the new year. Did I say “Phew”? Phew.

I was a little under in my weight estimation. The black cat (female) was over four pounds, and the orange cat (male) was over five. Vet estimated they are about 4 months old.

An intact female cat can have anywhere from 9-15 kittens a year. Well fed, healthy females tend to have bigger litters. A colony can rapidly balloon from 1 female cat to 36 in less than 16 months.

Please remember to spay or neuter your pets. Even the outside ones. If you feed them, get them fixed.