Helping Kittens

kittens

Don’t Kit-nap Kittens!

If you find kittens, please assume that their mom will likely return. Please don’t intervene right away.

Many young kittens separated from their mothers are not able to survive in a shelter.

When people find kittens, good-hearted instincts tell them to rush to the aid of these fragile felines. Thankfully, human intervention is often not required. In fact, the best thing you can do is leave the kittens alone unless they are in danger or appear to be sick. Mom will likely return shortly, and it’s critical that the kittens remain in her care as she offers the best chance for them to remain healthy. If you find kittens and are extremely certain that they are orphaned, you can then step in and help by caring for the kittens until they’re old enough to find homes.


HAVE YOU FOUND KITTENS? 

Their mother is their best chance for survival, and you want to monitor them closely (but from a safe distance) for roughly 8 hours to see if mom comes back. She is likely out hunting and will return. If you can’t monitor closely, you can also check in on them every few hours for 12 to 18 hours. If they are content and don’t seem fussy, there’s a good chance mom is coming back to tend to them. If the kittens are in danger due to their location, move them to a spot nearby so that their mom can find them.

DID MOM COME BACK?

  • If YES, that's great! Let her care for them until they are at least 8 weeks old.
  • If NO, you might make a good foster parent. Or perhaps you can find a friend or family member that is able to foster them. If mom has not returned, they are likely orphans. During kitten season, shelters are often overrun with kittens and do not have adequate staffing and resources to care for them and treat illnesses. Diseases also spread more easily in a highly populated shelter environment. If possible, please care for them in your home until they are at least 8 weeks old.

HELP TO FIND NEW HOMES FOR THEM!

Be on the lookout for friends, family, or neighbors who might be willing to adopt a friendly little feline. Helpful resources include online tools like Facebook and Nextdoor. Local shelters and other rescue organizations are also great resources for spay/neuter assistance.


HOW DO I KNOW IF A KITTEN NEEDS HELP?

  • If they are cold. Young kittens cannot regulate their body temperature. They rely on mom, siblings, and nesting material to keep warm. 
  • If they are dirty. A good mother cat will keep her babies clean. Kittens that need help may have dirt, feces, or other crusted urine on their bodies. They may be wet. Their genital areas may also be red and inflamed, indicating urine irritation.
  • If they are too thin. Kittens with a mom should be eating frequently. Their bellies will frequently have a full, rounded appearance. Sunken bellies, visible bones, and pale skin can indicate that the kittens need help and aren't being fed properly.
  • If they are noisy. Orphaned and hungry kittens will cry loudly. However, simply being loud does not indicate that they are orphaned. Mother cats do not stay with kittens all day long. If kittens are very noisy, leave them alone for 2 to 4 hours and check on them again. If they are quiet when you return, that probably means the mother has been back to care for them and you should let her keep up the good work.
  • If they are sick or hurt. Sick kittens might have discharge from the eyes and nose. Their eyes may be crusted shut. They may have wounds or open sores.

HOW DO I CARE FOR A VERY YOUNG, ORPHANED KITTEN?

Check out this comprehensive Guide To Orphaned Kitten Care, courtesy of experts at Maddie’s Fund.

HOW OLD IS MY KITTEN?

Check out this guide that helps you determine the age of a kitten (courtesy of Alley Cat Allies).

SPAYING AND NEUTERING SAVES LIVES.

We’re here to help by offering low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter services! Please call 919-942-7387.

I CAN'T FOSTER KITTENS AND I NEED HELP. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you are an Orange County resident, please give our shelter a call: 919-942-7387. We will make every effort to help these animals. If you are not an Orange County resident, please contact your local shelter or rescue organization.

I WOULD LIKE TO HELP SHELTER KITTENS. WHAT DO THEY NEED?