Is this more stressful for me or the cat!
When we moved into our house, there were two feral cats we fed. Then we saw six more. Then we saw kittens everywhere. You can see where this is going! We spoke with our neighbors and everyone said they aren't their cats but they feed them. Cool. We decided to start trapping and getting them fixed and vaccinated. Kind of like a backyard TNR for my neighborhood. I spent two years getting them to come for food and not to be terrified every time they see us. Well, I've trapped a mom and her five babies. I set up a kennel by putting two 42' cages together (picture attached). It's got hiding spots, food, water, pretty much everything a cat could need. I made the mistake of catching mom first and instead of leaving her in the trap until her vet appointment the next morning, I put her in the big kennel. I put all of her kittens with her. Kittens are doing great, super playful and eating chicken out of my hand. Mom is super depressed... she is eating and drinking... but she yowls this sad mournful sound and a soundlike she's calling her kittems. She did just get out if heat and is more than likely pregnant now. She also injured her face a little bit on the first day trying to squeeze out of the cage. It's swollen and red but not bloody. She been caged for three days. My dilemma is - do I just wait until she calms down more to try to get her in a travel cage to get her to the vet, or do I move quickly to get her out of the cage as soon as possible even though she's stressed now. I don't even know how I'm going to get her in the travel carrier after she's calmed down... any advice is appreciated!