It's important not to "Kit-Nap" kittens from their mom. Mama cats offer kittens their best chance for survival!

Do not assume that because you find kittens and no mom is in sight that they are abandoned. A mother cat will leave her kittens for hours at a time. She will NOT return if you are standing over her kittens.

If you find kittens, keep an eye out for mom from a distance. Tip: place a ring of flour around the kittens then check back for mom’s footprints.

Unless the kittens are in immediate danger, best practice is to leave them be and ensure mom has food, water and shelter until kittens are old enough to wean.

Shelters are typically NOT equipped to care for newborn kittens. We have limited resources for bottle feeding tiny kittens every 2-3 hours (yes, even overnight!), so it’s best to leave that to their moms!

Kittens should stay with their mothers for a minimum of 5 weeks, ideally 6-7 weeks, to ensure their health and growth. Staying with their mother during those first weeks are critical to their survival!

Kittens cannot digest dairy milk. Unweaned kittens with no mother require kitten formula such as KMR. Syringe/bottle feeding can be tricky. Kittens must reach and maintain a certain body temperature in order to be able to swallow. Syringing formula into their mouths too fast before they are able to swallow can cause them to aspirate and lead to respiratory failure. Before attempting to syringe or bottle feed any unweaned kitten please first refer to guidance from reputable sources such as Kitten Lady.

Remember, it is important to assess the situation first before removing kittens. Learning what to do or not to do WILL save lives! 🐾