(Click on the photos to see a larger version.)
Two feral females in the late stages of pregnancy were trapped and brought into our shelter to await the birth of their babies. In mid-September, both gave birth-- one in the maternity room of our new kitten house; the other in a quiet, secure shed.
Providing a good environment for feral mothers is always a challenge, as they require quiet and minimal contact with people so they aren't unduly stressed. Stress can interfere with a feral mother's ability to feed and care for her babies.
Our youngest shelter residents are very curious about their caretakers. We were able to get some wonderful shots of some of the babies, who have started to leave their mother's hiding place whenever they hear human voices. Now that they are mobile, we can begin to handle them and help them become wonderful future pets.