Don’t kit-nap this kitten season

May 01, 2025

When people find kittens outdoors without their mom, their first instinct may be to bring them inside or rush them to an animal shelter. But that may hurt them more than helping them. Research shows, when kittens are separated from their mother, their chances of survival drop significantly.

When you find a litter of kittens, here are some guidelines you can follow:

Do not interfere with the kittens as it may cause stress to the mother. If you really want to help, you can provide some food and water for the mother, placed a good distance from the nest.

If you don’t see mom around, observe the kittens from a distance. The mother may be out looking for food, but she will most likely return.

If the mother comes back and is friendly, wait until the kittens are 2 pounds or 2 months old before taking them and their mom to a veterinarian to be vaccinated and spayed or neutered.

4. If the kittens are in immediate danger, like under a car or in a flooded area, find a safe place nearby to move them, but make sure they are close enough for their mother to find them.

5. If you have observed the kittens for 24 hours and are sure that the mother isn’t returning, bring them indoors immediately to protect them from harm. Newborn kittens need special care.

Look for signs of injury, dehydration or malnutrition so you can relay this information to a veterinarian.

Gently warm the kitten using a towel or heated pad, especially if it feels cold.

If you are unsure how to care for the kitten, visit a shelter or veterinarian for supplies and instructions on how to properly feed the kitten.

Place the kitten in a quiet, safe area away from pets, children or other distractions.

Kittens under four weeks of age need round-the-clock care which most shelters are not equipped to provide.

Track the kitten’s progress and weight.

“Most discoveries of newborn kittens do not call for human assistance and, in fact, no intervention is the best thing,” said Rich Anderson, executive director/CEO at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. “The goal is to keep the mother and kittens together to ensure the best chances for the kittens’ survival until the kittens are eating on their own and can be safely removed for socialization and adoption.”

SOURCE Irving Animal Services, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League