stray just gave birth cat

Question
A stray or abandon cat has found her way to our apartment, I had to let her in, she crawled under my sink ad had 4 kittens, I put her and them in a big box w/towels she is nursing and very friendly,all kittens look healthy but I know she is a stray with no shots, what can I do?? I am willing to take her in permanently,,I have fallen hard for her, what should I feed her? do for her? I have never had a pet give birth before and so I'm scared. with the pet food recall I'm terrified of what to buy for her in her condition, also she is very skinny.

Answer
Both mom and the kittens need to see a vet. As a stray it is likely she has intestinal parasite which she would have passed to the kittens as well and that will effect her ability to gain weight and get healthy. A vet visit is imperative. Beyond that, stick to Science Diet brand dry and moist ground foods which so far are not involved in the recall. Don't buy the slices in gravy varieties as they may be involved. She needs to get healthy in order for her kittens to be healthy but you can help too by supplementing her nursing with kitten formula - NOT MILK - which you can feed them by bottle. All available in a good pet store. Milk can give diarhea so don't give it to her or the kittens.   But first things first, get her and the kittens to a vet for a complete exam, dewrming and shots. From there, a warm home and good food and she'll be great. You shoudl also have her spayed as soon as the vet says she ready to avoid any future kittens. And if you give the kittens away please pass that on so they too are spayed and neutered and don't become a part of the serious overpopulation problem. Thank you for taking her in and giving her and her kitten love. Congratulations as well, you will love having a pet and its god for you too.