Cat gives birth to four kittens in owl nest box

The inside of a wooden box from one of the top corners. There is hay on the floor of the box. A tabby cat with white socks is lying in the right corner of the box.Image source, Andy
Image caption,

A camera inside the box allowed the owners to see the mother and kittens

  • Published

A feral cat has given birth to four kittens in an owl nest box six metres (20ft) off the ground.

A camera inside the box allowed the owners to see the mother and kittens.

The kittens, which were born in September in Guernsey, have since been rescued by Sue Vidamour and have been cared for by vets who are hand-rearing them.

Mrs Vidamour, who has been rescuing animals for more than 25 years, said the kittens were doing well but "it was impossible to get mum as she leapt out [of the nest box] at the first sound".

A close up of a woman smiling, with grey hair and brown eyes. A tabby kitten is leaning against her face and looking at her.Image source, Vicki Babbe
Image caption,

Vet Vicki Babbe is hand-rearing and keeping two kittens

Mrs Vidamour was contacted by the owners of the box when they discovered the cats.

The four kittens were taken to Vets4Pets St Martin and have been cared for by the vets there.

Vet Vicki Babbe is hand-rearing two of the kittens and plans to keep them.

The other two are being hand-reared by a veterinary nurse who plans to look for a home for them.

A two tabby kittens sat on a cat bed that is grey with white spots on the bottom with a white rim. One of the kittens is facing a person with a grey cardigan. The other kitten is being held and is being fed with a clear bottle of milk with an orange top. Image source, Vicki Babbe 
Image caption,

The kittens are being hand-reared by vets

Mrs Vidamour plans to try to catch the mother so she can be neutered.

She added the cat would be cared for by the owners of the owl nest box.

Camera footage of the inside of an owl box. There is a circular hole in the box and a cat is entering the hole.Image source, Andy
Image caption,

The owners of the owl box had installed a camera which helped them spot the cat

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