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_Lou_ 
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 Topic: Cats under our house
Posted: 31 October 2011 at 11:10am |
I have found a small hole in our house where two cats have been getting in and going under our house. I heard one of them meowing loudly the other day, and it was definitely coming from under the lounge. Last night DH and I blocked the hole up, and I know both the cats are not under there as have seen them both since then. But now I am worried there might be kittens under there! The meowing under the house was definitely not a kittens one, but one of the cats came back and was meowing loudly when it couldn't get under.
We need to eventually block it off as we are getting a puppy in February and don't want it getting under the house. But in the meantime, should I unblock it? If there are kittens, I don't want them to starve under there! Any experience or advice?
Also wonder why two cats are there, as if there are kittens, didn't think the tom stayed around?
TIA 
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newmama
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 11:36am |
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sounds like there might be kittens under there if the cats were getting distressed not being able to get back in there and cats tend to have kittens in odd places - i would unblock it for now
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_Lou_
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 11:41am |
Thanks newmama, tried calling the SPCA, they were not a lot of help at all. I think we'll unblock it for now and keep an eye on it. I just don't want cats having more litters under there! 
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KH25
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 11:42am |
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Can you not get under the house yourselves to check it out or is there no access?
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Kelly, mum to DD, 19Jun06 (26wks 1lb15oz) DS1, 24Oct10 (32wks 4lb11oz) and DS2, 31Dec11 (32wks, 4lb11)
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_Lou_
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 11:44am |
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I could probably shine a torch around from a couple of places, but I actually don't think there is access to allow us under there.
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ruthmoe
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 12:02pm |
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If you can find some way to have a look under the house that would be best. We are definately in the throws of kitten season now so if there arnt kittens under there now then there may be very soon. I would also listen out for kitten cries too. These guys can be very vocal. The cat that sounded like it may have been distressed may have just been an unneutered cat calling for a mate, very annoying and very loud.
So try to establish whether there are kittens or not and block it up as quick as you can if there arnt any.
(vet nurse)
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_Lou_
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 12:12pm |
Thank you ruthmoe, that's really helpful. The noise one of them made was very loud and I have heard it under the house but also around the other side of the house but this time I saw the cat.
I will listen out for any kittens and see what I can see with the torch! Thanks again
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Evelyn4409
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 12:23pm |
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I can't stand the nextdoor neighbour's cats coming under our house. They have about 5 cats, and they just keep breeding, and deciding to live under our house, and crap in our gardens. It's almost to the point where I want to complain to the council about it. Is there anything that they will be able to do?
We even had one come into the house. Not cool.
(I am not a cat person at ALL - they are horrible)
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sbeach
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 12:48pm |
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we had feral cats breed under our house the first year we were here... We have access to under the house so DH collected the kittens but SPCA wouldnt take them without the mother. So hired a trap and caught the mother and dropped the lot off at the SPCA... massive dramas - caught a HUGE feral tom before we got the mother. Now under the house is cat proof!! Still get a lot of cats around though!
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_Lou_
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 1:58pm |
Yeah SPCA suggested I hire a trap for Hire Pool and catch them. But then she said it won't work on kittens under 6 weeks old. So not really an option. We have a small side door to under the house, but it definitely wouldn't be able to fit a person in. Hoping I can suss things out with a torch!
sbeach, gosh sounds like you had a nightmare with it too. I really hope we don't have kittens under there! 
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MuppetsMama
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Posted: 31 October 2011 at 10:47pm |
Just a note - if the SPCA come and take them, they will probably kill them... 
Umm..ETA that I'm not advocating that, just informing. lol
Edited by MuppetsMama
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sbeach
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Posted: 01 November 2011 at 12:05pm |
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I know that the cats were probably euthanised but frankly Id rather that happen than have a population explosion of feral cats in my neighbourhood! At least it is humane, I have known neighbours who just set out poisoned food for them instead...not nice.
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Hopes
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Posted: 01 November 2011 at 12:43pm |
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Yea, I'd have no problems with the SPCA putting feral cats down, but I'd hate to think of a litter of kittens starving if their Mum was gone. Can you hold out for a few weeks till they'd be older and trap the cats then?
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_Lou_
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Posted: 01 November 2011 at 8:51pm |
Well good news I think! No kittens under the house, managed to have a good look last night and tonight and no noise, can't see anything and more importantly, neither of the cats have been back. I think we have caught it in the nick of time, as I think we probably would've had kittens in a few more weeks if we didn't block it off.
Hopes, I was the same and didn't want a litter of kittens to die
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Isabella
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Posted: 01 November 2011 at 9:35pm |
The SPCA doesnt put all animals down that it traps. Often in cat colonies it is best to trap the animals and de-sex them, then return them to the area. If they are just euthanased then more kittens will be bred to fill the gap. By de-sexing them and placing them back they cant breed - yet new cats wont move in as the heirachy is already established...
Also, the SPCA do an excellent job with the resources they have. They will go to massive lengths to try and re-home animals and often it is only the very sick, or the very scared (or dangerous) animals who will be put to sleep.
Cats mating are very loud (as ruthmoe said) and it can sound as if they are trying to kill each other! May have been what you were hearing.
We had a cat move in with us to have her kittens - she was super lovely and seemed to know we wanted to help. She was too far gone to spey her and so we let her have them, found 5 homes (free kittens) with contracts to de-sex at 6mths and it was all happy times
(vet) 
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Cats under our house
