He is now on Science diet, neutered, well loved but still outside. :( We can't let him in or it will be pee-fest 2006 w/ him and the other FIVE. *sigh*

I totally agree with PJ...and Carrie. It depends on where you live. I have fits everyday (my DH heads inside when he hears me say the word "cat") because the neighborhood cats poop and dig and lie around in my flower beds, killing and flattening my plants. I always wear gloves for this specific reason - eeeww!! Also, they kill my lizards, toads and birds. I get sooooo mad!! And then there's the occasional cat that gets creamed by a car (no matter how mad I get at them, I can't stand that to happen!!). I think that's irresponsible and cruel on the owner's part. Actually, it's the owners I get angry with. I think it's inconsiderate to allow your animal to run loose in a close neighborhood. I have threatened to take my dogs (I have two very large Rotties) walking around to every neighbor with a cat running loose, and let them poop in their gardens a few times......my DH doesn't like this idea. :-) It's just so frustrating to work so hard, spend your hard-earned money, and have someone "invade your space" and destroy that time, effort and money. I've had cats too. They stayed inside (no de-clawing!!) and were very healthy happy animals. I did have them spayed/neutered which probably helped with the "urge to roam". And they were best buds with the dogs. My vet (he's awesome!) has always told me that indoor pets (especially cats) live longer lives. Anyhoo...this is one of my biggest pet peeves - no pun intended!! :-) Kat

Lots of things you can do. We have a small feral colony that we've fed and sheltered for a while now. We have a Shed In The Box, with interior smaller shelters inside there..and a five feet by 8 feet kennel that is tarped off for winter that has shelters up off the ground...however, when our ferals got caught a few weeks ago in our first very deep winter storm, they all ran scared and frightened up onto our back porch. So, we prayed and asked the Lord for his Guidance and Wisdom and he helped us. We got tarps and heavy duty shower curtains and heavy duty tension rods and paneled off the back porch...then, we put vinyl and rubber mats along the floor of the back porch. Then, we added cat igloos, and made other shelters out of Sterlite plastic chests...and made an interior tent over those shelters with a camoflauged tarp. When the temps dropped below freezing, we cracked the back door from the kitchen to let heat go out into the now enclosed back porch area...made a tremendous difference. Right now, it's sleeting and we are letting them come into the kitchen to get extra warmth, and we have litter boxes and fresh water in a corner of the porch as well. As someone has already mentioned, shoeboxes, cardboard boxes, cutout coolers with straw in them....cat igloos...we put yoga mats covered with soft cardboard in ours. The main things, give them a break from the wind, give them warm shelter, food, water, and a feeling of security...you're good to go. The more love you put into it, the better your results, you know. Good luck and God Bless. FYI, we also do trap n release and we are seniors in our late sixties, so if "we" can do it, so can anyone else, you know.

Indeed you did say that, but you said you "think" she was due, not that she was definitely due, so I didn't know you were an expert and I made that suggestion. My apologies. I would still get her to a vet to get her cared for before she has the kittens, the vet might have options for the cat and her kittens once they are born. And at least you will know what kind of shape she is in physically when you find a home for her, there will be no surprises for the new family. They would need to know if she is FIV positive or has heartworms or other possible problems. It will be easier to find homes for guaranteed healthy kittens than ones you aren't sure about. Best of luck with your situation, and give mama a snuggle for me!