What's the right thing to do?

[Lisa0825]

Before I started volunteering at Whiskerville, there was a neighbrohood cat who had kittens. While she was pregnant, I had started feeding her. At one point, after having the kittens, she'd abandoned one of them, and I coaxed her into coming back for him. She's come back around now, pregnant again. She lets me pet her briefly when I feed her, but she is very skittish, and won't let me pick her up at all.

I don't want her to have another litter of feral kitties, but when I contacted Wydell about her, she assumed if I caught her, she'd be having an abortion. I guess part of me was assuming I'd have a little litter of furballs to take care of, and looking forward to it. It made me a bit sad to think of aborting them, even though I know that for every kitten she gives birth to, there's probably another one already living in the shelter that won't get adopted.

I want to do the right thing... *sigh* ...but part of me wants to love the babies.

This is all getting way ahead of myself... I'm not even sure I can catch her.

[prozacnation]

1. Tough decision

I think it depends on how far she is. I wouldn't feel comfortable aborting her babies unless she is barely pregnant but that's my feeling. You are going to get many different opinions on this heated topic. Personally I encourage you to do a little research and then make the choice that you feel best about. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. That is of course assuming that you can catch her.

I've known of cats who have gone into deep mourning after their babies are aborted. They walk around carrying stuffed animals in their mouths, very sad. Those cats however were pretty far into their pregnancies. On the other hand some cats do just fine.

Different rescue groups have different beliefs. Even in my rescue organization we are completely divided when it comes to this. I just do what I think is right. Good luck with your decision.

[Lorien]

2. I agree; our rescue does abortions, but not late term abortions

we treat the procedure as one would treat human abortions; early isn't very traumatic,and is seen as "ethical" given the overpopulation problem. Late should only be done in an emergency (health issues).

[Lisa0825]

3. If a cat is already "showing" would it already be late?

I'd read that cats don't usually show until the due date is already getting close. Is that correct?

[Lorien]

4. If she is quite visably pregnant

then it's probably too late. Hopefully she'll only hav a few kittens, and you can trap and spay her before she gets prenant again.

[Grateful for Hope]

5. From what other say here

I think that this this cat is definitely later term, and so this would not be an "abortion".

An aside: When my beloved Pushka was about 9 mos, I took her in to have her spayed, and, after the procedure, the vet told me that she had been pregnant (at that time, my kitties were outdoor cats). She was not showing at all.

This is a very difficult decision. If you are ready to love thos "babies", then why not let her have the kittens by telling Wydell that you will assume responsibility for foster care of them?

Just a thought here.

[Lisa0825]

6. UPDATE: I Caught her!

She was pretty easy to catch, but now that I have her in the house she is very distressed! I have her in her own room, and she is howling and scratching at the windows trying to get out :(

I hope she'll have settled down by the time I get home tonight. She does let me pet her, but she still howls.

I have not reported in to the shelter yet. I will be going there tomorrow, and I don't know if I am ready to tell Wydell, because I don't want her to try to talk me into the abortion.

Anyway.... wish me luck!

She's a cutie-pie. Solid white body, two black spots on her head, and a calico tail. She needs a name. I've been calling her "momma" for a year now. Any suggestions?