The kittens were probably alive when the mother cat brought them to your door. Feral females are smart enough to know that the Big Cats have magical powers (after all, they produce the Treats) and often present sick, runty, or otherwise nonviable kittens to nearby humans for disposition. It seems cruel, but Mother Cat hasn't got the resources to care for the sick ones, the crippled ones, or the runts of the litter; she has to husband her food and attention for use by the ones with a chance at survival. Two of our three current feline-American housemates were "presented" to us by the mother cat that lived beneath our house at the time; the last one, our calico, we found in a puddle by the front porch in a rainstorm. There is nothing more piteous than the cry of a lost and scared kitten; we HAD to take her in. After a brief cold she recovered fully, and is hale and hearty today.
You did the only thing you could do. Thank you for looking out for God's creatures.
That's true. You and your husband are very sweet for trying. Many people might just have closed the door, or "disposed" of it automatically.
They were still warm. If only I had gone out sooner....
You did the only thing you could do. Thank you for looking out for God's creatures.I wish we could have helped them..