Taming wild cat and kittens

Question
QUESTION: I have a very similar question to, I believe Jennifer was her name.  I starting feeding a feral cat, just to find out she was pregnant and had her kittens just a few weeks later.  She let me pet her after a couple of feedings, which I assume was because she really needed the nutrition.  So I feed and pet her daily, and the one day I found the kittens.  Then I pet mom while she was feeding her kittens.  Then she moved the kittens across the street to my neighbor's house.  I found the nest, but mom wasn't around so she may not know I found them.  I started feeding her over there because I don't want her crossing the street daily for food.  So now they are 3 weeks old, and I don't know when I should attempt to pet them (I haven't yet) because I don't want to risk the chance of her moving them again.  However, I want the babies and the mom tame so I can spay and neuter them, keep the mom, and give the babies to loving homes.  Please help!  I want to do the right thing!

ANSWER: Hi Sarah, if the mom has allowed you to pet her at some point then she is not considering humans a danger to her kittens so you are ok to start petting the kittens and holding them right away. the sooner and more often you can do that.. the better !! Mom cats often move their kittens to keep the smell down and keep the kittens safe from other dangers such as dogs and wild animals. Even indoor cats will move their kittens so don't think it is because of you. Actually the more often she smells you on the kittens the more easily she will become bonded to you and your smell and will think of you as a friendly visitor. Teresa

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QUESTION: Hi:

I do have another question.  I'm concerned about how/when is the best way/time to bring in the mom and kitties.  I need to keep in mind that the reality is I may not be able to bring in the mother, since she is a wild cat.  The other day when I pet the mom, she was walking back and forth between her babies and myself (because I was petting her).  Her babies started walking out of the nest, so I started putting them back in, and petting them of course!  Since then, mom has been hissing at me (but she still lets me feed and pet her), and the kittens hiss at me too.  What's the best way to go about taming everyone?  If I can't bring the mom in, I want to take the babies but not at a point in which the mom feels like her babies were taken from her.  The babies are 4 weeks old now, and next month I plan on helping the mom ween her babies off of her by feeding them too.  I'm hoping this helps, but I'm still concerned about how to try and get everyone in a warm, loving house!

Answer
Hi Sarah, well it sounds like you are doing fabulous with this mom !! I don't think you need help from me. what you are doing already is exactly what I would advise. Keep petting her, spending time with her and the babies and make sure she realizes you are the source of her food. She will come around and it sounds like she has already. She will probably come in your home eventually but not while she still has young kittens outside... so just keep up with what you are doing for the time being. Next month when you want to start bringing the kittens inside take them one or two at a time and take them when they are NOT crying.. or not even awake. This way mom won't HEAR them and she can't count.. so she won't even know that you  have taken one .. or two. By the time you get to the last kitten she will be that much more tame and so will the kitten.. and also she will be fed up with feeding them and will probably be in heat and pregnant again.. sadly. So, I would start taking them from mom about 6-7 weeks old and have them all removed within the week.They can then get their first vaccine about 7-8 weeks old and go to their new homes right away. (if you have any lined up?) When you take them one at a time it also gives mom a chance to have her milk dry up gradually. Once the kittens are gone start moving her food dish closer and closer to your home until it is finally in your kitchen.. and I have a feeling this will work with this girl. She sounds like she really wants to trust you and to have human contact.. poor little thing. She was probably abandoned at a young age but was once with people. Don't let her growling and hissing put you off. Just move slower when she does this and continue talking to her. If you retract your arm or hand then she will notice that her complaining worked.. so don't let her get away with it. even domestic moms will complain when they have kittens.. so don't take her too seriously. Teresa