By: Angie Whitlock, NCHS President
Publisher: Paws for Thoughts
A stray tabby cat, later named Pip, decided to give birth under a lady's porch. The homeowner said 'Oh no, honey. You'll have to come inside" so she did.
Pip started giving birth...
The first baby was black, Evelyn. Well, tabby cats have black stripes. The next baby was a tabby, Giselle. Makes sense, Mom is. Then Pip gave birth to another black kitten and then two black and white tux babies. Like what?
What's happening?! Pip was a hussy, that's what!
Cats and dogs are superfecundation and polygamous. Females will mate with any available male while in heat. Superfecundation (sounds like a Mary Poppins song!) occurs when a female mates with two or more males, resulting in multiple fertilizations. Superfecundation is a quite common feline reproductive condition (not so much in dogs).
This situation is often seen in strays that are un-spayed.
A cat's fertile period can theoretically be up to seven days but is sometimes as short as one day. To compare, dogs are fertile for about two to three weeks. Cats can go into heat every 14-21 days. Pregnancy itself lasts about 60 days. Queens can become re-impregnated even while nursing a litter of kittens because many begin cycling again about 10 days after delivery. A particularly successful queen can raise up to three litters a year. Cats and rabbits must be cousins!!
What to do, what to do...
Do I really have to point out the obvious? SPAY & NEUTER
Take responsibility for that neighborhood stray. Take it to Animal Services or call them. They do not euthanize pregnant animals and the animal will be cared for and put up for adoption.
TNR (Trap - Neuter - Return) those strays.
Foster the stray till all can be fixed and contact a rescue to help with adoptions.
