I'm developing a new feral kitten strategy and buying a new trap. (Kitten pic included)

[Siwsan]

(I also need a new trapping system so I'm going to take the TNR class from a local shelter.)

Long story short. A little while ago I found 4 (maybe 5) newborn kittens in a broken old chimenea. Shortly after, the mom (Tabby) moved them. Fast forward to about 10 days ago. I found 3 kittens behind my house. They were very young and I assumed they were from that litter. I was able to pick up 2 of them and clean their eyes up. Then I didn't see them, again.

Well, 2 days ago I looked out the window and there was a gray tabby kitten that I recognized from the 3. I walked towards him (I verified the gender when I cleaned their eyes) and he meowed and walked towards me! I picked him up, gave him some food and cleaned his eyes, again. There was no problem holding him. I guess maybe he remembered my earlier kindness so I wasn't a threat?

Yesterday evening he was back. Rinse and repeat. Tabby wandered up and seemed fine with me playing with her little boy. I'm wondering if this is a sign that the ferals are starting to trust me enough to bring their young kittens to my yard.

Tonight he was back and spend a LOT of time with me. He also ate a great dinner. Tomorrow I have to go and buy more kitten food.

Now to my strategy. He's NOT coming inside. The 'inn' is full. No vacancies. Instead I'm going to socialize him as an outdoor kitten. Eventually I will take him in to get neutered and then he can hang around and stay in one of the shelters. Of course the best case scenario is to find him a home. He is absolutely adorable.

Anyway, here's Dewi. Of course, I had to give him a Welsh name.

[Srkdqltr]

1. Ohhhh how cute.

[Walleye]

2. Those eyes

[2naSalit]

3. Awww...

He looks like Mikey!

Pretty kitten. Wish I was near by with reasonable housing, I'd give one or three of them a home.

[wnylib]

4. What an adorable kitten!

Your plan sounds good, especially the classes on handling ferals. If you can get the moms as well as the kittens, you can cut down the feral population considerably so that the adult moms do not keep producing litters to trap and neuter.

Of course that would mean less baby kits in the yard and surroundings to enjoy. But it is humane in the long run.

BTW, Dewi is Welsh? I did not know that. I know that Hughes is a Welsh surname. And so is Lewis. So does this mean that the ducks, Huey, Dewey, and Louey are Welsh?

[Siwsan]

5. Dewi is a form of the name David.

As is Daffyd. It means 'beloved'.

The name shows up in other cultures, too, but likely has different meanings.

[wnylib]

9. I knew about Daffyd, but not about Dewi.

There are some Williams and Morgan surnames in my family tree and the Lewis name in my former husband's family. But, my Welsh connection is distant since they went to England for a couple generations before leaving for America.

However, I was able to trace some lines back to ancestors with names like "Llewellan ap Morgan."

It's why I just describe that side of the family as "British" since it includes Scots, English, and Welsh (Puritans in New England).

[Hugh_Lebowski]

6. Oh MYYYYY!!! What a doll baby!!!

If you manage to keep THAT one outside, even though he'd let you hold him, I admire your resolve.

The ones I've been caring for have known me for over a year and still don't let me near. It's 112F outside and honestly if any of them wanted to come in and chill, I'd let 'em. But the my house is cat-less since I had to put my precious Jean Luc down, and they all know each other, so ... I'd let my house be a cat hotel until it chills out a bit.

[Siwsan]

7. I'm trying to figure out a way to turn the screened in back porch into a Winter shelter

I'd needs a pet door that won't accommodate any raccoons.

I also have a lot of straw I can use in the outdoor shelters.

[montanacowboy]

8. If I lived near you

I would take him in a minute. He is beautiful and of course one Welshman to another.

[blm]

10. He's a charmer

Every part of him screams charmer.

[Siwsan]

11. It just amazes me how quickly he warmed up to me

Now I head out to the back yard at about 5 to see if he's waiting for me. When I feed him I have to 'stand guard' so the bigger ferals don't try to steal his food.

[niyad]

12. Squeeeeeeee. Could that possibly have been any cuter??????

His eyes remind of baby Madoc. . .and his ears remind me of Arthur, or is that just the angle?

[thatcrowwoman]

13. Pretty kitty! Those eyes! Those magnificent whiskers!

He’s come to the right place, that’s for sure.
🕊thatcrowwoman

[Sky Jewels]

14. What area of the country are you located in?

A DUer might want to snap up this adorable baby. 🥰😻

[Siwsan]

17. Flint, Michigan

[AverageOldGuy]

15. Wow!!!

That's a gorgeous kitty. He seems to be a light grey tabby. Will his coat remain that light, or will it darken as he gets older?

[stage left]

16. Are you sure there's not room at the kitten Deluxe?

He's silver. I'll be he glows in the dark. And look at those adorable little feets!

[Rebl2]

18. You are

becoming the kitten whisperer 🐱