What to do if you find a stray kitten.
Finding stray kittens can be just as stressful as it is exciting. You might think, “How old are they? Is the mom around? Should I try to feed them?” These are probably only a fraction of the questions running through your mind.
Like any infant, the goal is to keep kittens with their mother whenever possible. Nobody knows how to take care of kittens better than their mom, and that includes us. She can keep them safe and provide essential nutrients that kitten formula will never replace. Kittens under four months old have the highest chance of survival if they are left with their mom. If you can confirm there is no mom around, then based on the kittens age, it could be time to step in and help.
If you find an outdoor kitten who weighs less than three pounds (a kittens weight in pounds roughly correlates to their age in months) and whose mother is deceased or has abandoned the kitten, then we encourage you to bring that kitten to our shelter. We will take in the kitten and find a foster home for them.
Feline Foster
Fosters are critical in helping to care for young kittens. They are the backbone of our feline foster program. Kittens younger than eight weeks old need to be placed in foster care as soon as possible after entering the shelter. They are immunocompromised and vulnerable to catching an array of different viruses and diseases in the shelter environment. Without a developed immune system, kittens do not have the power to fight off illnesses. They also require hourly care and monitoring that the shelter does not have the capacity to provide.
When you decide to become a foster, you decide to become a lifesaving hero for animals. All necessary supplies are provided to fosters, including medical care. If you are interested in helping save the lives of cats and kitten in need, please complete a foster application.
If you are not in the position to foster, you can still help save lives and support community cats by donating items through our Amazon Wish List dedicated to TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and feline fostering.
