Some may be wondering what happened to my instant feline family that took up residence in Cordy’s play barn last week. As of today, they’re still enjoying our hospitality, and they may not be leaving anytime soon.

Thanks for all of your suggestions on the matter. We’ve called every rescue group we can think of in the area, but they’re full. Vets who take in kittens are also full. The local paper just happened to have a feature on the cat overpopulation problem in Columbus right now. The only place that will take the kittens and mama cat is the humane society, but with the overpopulation problem, I was told they would likely all be euthanized.

And seeing how I’m a nursing mama myself at the moment, my hormones are making me fiercely protect this little family, and there’s no way I’ll take them anywhere where they might come to harm. Mama cat and I have bonded – I can understand the efforts she’s gone through to protect her family. Lactation solidarity, my peeps (putting fist to chest).

For now, I’m feeding her kitten food to give her the extra nutrients for nursing. In just a week, she’s already looking less emaciated, and the kittens have developed cute round bellies. I’ve also earned her trust: she will let me pet her, and she’s let me pick up her kittens in her presence.

The kittens are adorable – two fuzzy brown tabby females (twins?), two black and grey tabby males (with white underbellies and faces – again, twins?), and one black and grey tabby female. All have their eyes open, and they’re gaining weight and growing well. When I peek in on them, they now all turn and come towards me when they hear my voice.

But they can’t stay. As soon as they’re able to walk out of that play barn, they’re dinner to our local marsh hawk. And if they get outside of the fence, the neighbor kids could hurt them. We must find them homes, or at least a temporary safe house until they can find new families.

We already have cats, and our house cannot accommodate more. I’m a temporary guardian angel, not an adoptive mother. We’ve had several offers of help to spay and neuter the family once they’re old enough, which I appreciate. They now just need new families to pet them and spoil them rotten.

Pictures from this weekend (by Katie):

Mama cat:

Kittens:

Who knew I’d be dealing with this? I can’t turn these kittens away – mama cat somehow found her way to our backyard, so I feel I have to help.

Anyone want a kitten?