We Called Her Momma

Learn how finding unexpected vistors leads to preventing thousands of unplanned kittens.

Early spring on a chilly morning, our dogs were showing an unusual interest in our woodshed. We inspected and could not find the reason for the interest, but continued to monitor. This woodshed is located inside a five foot privacy fence.

Turns out a cat had either given birth to kittens or moved her kittens inside our fence. How they survived as they became braver and ventured out to play is a miracle. Our routine with our dogs greatly changed. Sugar, the stubborn Jack Russell Terrier has a permanent scar between her eyes from getting just a little too close.

What's next? Cat allergies in the home. We have a mother and three kittens that need altered and they are not ours.

We are fortunate to have resources in our community. We purchased a trap and one by one trapped mother and kittens, who all three turned out to be males. The mother and kittens were vetted and spayed or neutered at a low cost clinic in our town.

Next step, heated cat houses and preparations to care for them. They proceeded to roam the property and hang out around the house, enjoying their new life. The mother cat sadly went missing and we feared she fell prey to some soft of wildlife. Months later and now occasionally we see her in the neighborhood. So, guessing she went home, but she went home spayed. Think of the hundreds of kittens that would have been born had she not wandered into the shed. Three males that also will never produce unwanted kittens.

Everyone can play a small part in the solution. Ask for help!! Research resources in your community. Become a voice for those that have no voice.

We still see momma every now and then, her kittens are grown and living a good life. It's a good day when either my husband or I say, "hey I saw momma."