Found kittens? What you should do and why.

Most discoveries of newborn kittens, thankfully, do not require human assistance. In fact, NOT intervening is generally the best thing you can do. If you find young kittens without their mom, it does not mean they have been abandoned. The mother could be looking for food or finding a more suitable home for her litter. If you find one or two kittens, their mother may be in the process of moving the family, and is on her way back for the others.

Things to remember: Keeping mom and her kittens together in a warm and dry location away from predators ensures the best chances for the kittens' survival.

Mom knows best

In the first few weeks of their lives, kittens need their mother’s care and antibodies from her milk. As they grow, she will begin to give her kittens the critical training they need to survive.

Watch and wait

Hands off! Do not interfere if mom may still be around. It is essential that you do not handle the kittens, try to keep them warm or feed them. These interventions may cause the mother to abandon her kittens. If mom is friendly, you may consider moving her and her litter into a garage or your home.

Be helpful

You can help the mother best by providing food and water. Be sure to place the dishes far enough away from the nest that you do not disturb mom and kittens, or draw predators such as raccoons to the little family. And of course, keep dogs and children far away.

Sterilization

Mom will need to be spayed, but not now. Call a veterinarian to determine the best time to spay the mother. Once the kittens are weaned (typically 5-6 weeks of age), they can safely be separated from their mother. Begin socializing the kittens if needed, and schedule the surgery. Remember, a female cat can become pregnant 6-8 weeks after giving birth so don’t wait too long. Quietly observe from a safe distance (35 feet or more) to determine if mom is present. If the kittens are clean and sleeping in a pile, mom is likely out hunting for food. If mom hasn’t returned in 4-8 hours, she probably won’t be coming back. At this point, intervention is recommended. Remember, if mom senses the presence of humans she will stay away from the litter.