FOUND A KITTEN?
HERE’S WHAT TO DO!
If you find young kittens, the best thing to do is wait and watch.
It is natural for a mom to leave her kittens alone for extended periods of time- most commonly she is hunting. It is important not to assume kittens are orphaned just because mom is not present. Be sure to stand at least 35 feet away when observing the kittens. If you stand too close, mom may not feel comfortable returning. Remember, it is natural for mom to leave kittens alone for extended periods of time, even several hours.
If you can’t wait for mom’s return, observe if the kittens are in a safe location. Kittens can survive a few hours without food, but are unable to regulate body temperature and can quickly fall victim to hypothermia. If they’re actively exposed to negative elements (rain, snow, wind, etc.), it may be best to move them. Try to keep them close to their original location, so mom can find them. Return when you can, to make sure mom has returned and is caring for them.
It is very important to determine if kittens are true orphans before taking them in. Mom offers the best chance of survival for young kittens. Her milk provides vital nutrients needed to boost immune systems and, during the first weeks of life, she facilitates most of their bodily functions. While it may seem fun and exciting to rescue a group of young kittens, it is a lot of work and may not be in their best interest.
IF MOM RETURNS AND IS LOOKING AFTER THE KITTENS:
If mom has returned, and is adequately caring for her babies, don’t interfere! You may choose to offer shelter or food, but do so in a non-intrusive way. It’s important not to separate mom from the kittens until they are weaned, approximately six weeks of age. Once kittens are big enough, it’s important to vaccination and spay/neuter. Make an appointment with your vet or contact WVHS. If mom is an unfriendly Community Cat, we encourage use of the TNR program. It will ensure mom has no future unwanted litters.
If mom is caring for the kittens, but you’re concerned they’re in an unsafe location, contact us. As long as mom is friendly, we can place the whole group into foster care and ensure they receive necessary vaccinations and nutrition. It’s important to bring mom and all kittens to us at the same time, otherwise mom could reject any kittens that are away from her for too long.
TIP: Keep the shelter & food a distance away from each other. Mom will be wary of using shelter if she feels there’s a food source too close that may attract other cats.
TIP: a nursing mom needs a lot of calories! Offer dry kitten kibble, which is higher in nutrients to make sure mom gets adequate caloric intake to care for babies.
IF MOM HASN’T RETURNED FOR SEVERAL HOURS (12 OR MORE):
If mom hasn’t returned for several hours, it is time to jump into action to care for the kittens. These are the primary responsibilities to consider before taking in an orphan kitten:
Thermoregulation: Kittens can’t regulate body temperature. You’ll need to provide a warm environment for them (85-90° F is optimal). WVHS uses Snuggle Safe Disks to do this.
Food/Nutrition: Orphaned kittens should be fed Milk Replacement and, depending on age, eat every 2-4 hours. This includes night feedings! WVHS recommends Breeders’ Edge Foster Care. Additionally, kittens need to be monitored closely and weighed often to ensure they make the proper gains.
Sanitation: Kittens are very susceptible to disease. It is important to keep them and their living area clean. Wash your hands before and after handling them.
Elimination: Kittens can’t urinate or defecate on their own until about 4 weeks of age! This means they must be stimulated after every feeding. Here’s a great demonstration video.
Infectious Disease: Kittens need to be vaccinated and dewormed to prevent infectious disease. Create a schedule with your vet to ensure they stay healthy and are set up for success as they mature into adulthood.
Socialization: Placement in a forever home means adequate socialization. This is the fun part! However, it is of minor importance compared to the other responsibilities that come with caring for orphaned kittens.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU SURRENDER KITTENS
When an animal is brought to Wenatchee Valley Animal Care and Control, it is put into the care of Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, where they receive a general health exam. Kittens one or more pounds are vaccinated and de-wormed. The WVHS medical team checks for symptoms of disease and, if necessary, prescribes medication. Kittens under two pounds are sent to foster care until they are of weight and brought in for re-vaccinations every two weeks.
Throughout the foster period, kittens have access to veterinary care and are closely monitored. After a kitten is spayed/neutered and microchipped, they are placed for adoption.
For information on becoming a foster parent, please visit WVHS’s website.
If you have questions about caring for orphaned kittens, let us know! WVACC and WVHS are always available as resources.
If you feel you are unable to provide the around the clock care & attention needed for neonatal kittens, that is OK! It’s a lot of work, and not for everyone. Contact ACC so kittens can be placed into a foster home as soon as possible.
FACT: Kitten digestive tracts are still forming. Their little bodies are only able to process small amounts at a time, which is why they need to eat frequently.