It can be tempting to rescue a tiny kitten, or more, if found outside. But before touching or moving a kitten wait to see if the mom cat returns. If the mom cat does not return after several hours, use this chart to help estimate how old the kittens are and share that information when you call your local humane society shelter for help.
When you see a litter of young kittens, or even a single kitten, out on their own your first instinct might be to scoop them up and bring them to the nearest humane society or rescue organization.
In some instances, however, this might actually do more harm than good. In most cases, a kitten’s best chance of survival is to stay with mom. Separating a kitten from its mother too early can be life threatening. Even with 24-hour bottle feeding, a kitten is less likely to thrive without mom to care for it. Just because mom isn’t right there at that moment doesn’t mean the kittens have been abandoned.
If you cannot see mom, chances are she is still around. She may be off hunting or could simply not trust people. It is best to not touch the kittens and instead watch from a distance for several hours to see if mom returns. The key is to stay away from the area — out of sight is ideal— to allow mom to feel safe enough to return. An easy trick is to spread a ring of flour around the kittens and then return later. This can let you see mom’s footprints if she comes to check on her babies.
If, after an extended period of time, there is still no mom to be found, reach out to the Brown County Humane Society — or your local shelter — before moving the kittens. Calling ahead is very important as there are several factors at play to determine the next steps that will result in the greatest likelihood of survival of the kittens. Unless you feel they are injured or in immediate danger, it is best to leave them be until a plan is established.
It can also be tempting to separate kittens from mom cat as soon as they start eating solid foods, which is typically around five to six weeks. Even though they may no longer be nursing, they are still growing and learning key life lessons from mom. It is recommended to wait until the kittens are at least 10 weeks of age before removing them from their mom.
Brown County Humane Society is always here to help! If you find kittens, please give us a call at 812-988-7362 and we can help you to determine the next best steps in caring for them. Snapping a couple of photos that can be emailed or shared via Facebook messenger is also a great way to help staff establish the age of the kittens and provide the best guidance possible.
Please reach out before you kitten nap. Their lives can depend on it.
Brown County Humane Society
