Found a Kitten

Think “Kit-Napping”

Young Kittens need to be with their mother. They rely on her food and warmth. While our first instinct is to “save” kittens from the outside world, the best course of action may be to leave them where they are. Here are a few steps to consider if you find a litter of kittens.

Assess the kittens’ health. Do they look fed and healthy? If so, leave them where they are. If they look sickly or have parasites or flies around them, gently collect them in a carrier and contact your local animal services provider, humane society or rescue.
Monitor the kittens from a distance to see if their mom returns. Mother cats will leave their kittens for periods of time in order to search for food. If you witness a mother cat returning, leave the kittens where they are. They will be safest with their mother.
If you’re not able to watch for their mother to return, check to see if the kittens are in a safe place. They may have wandered from their nest or hiding spot. Find a safe place close by where mom can still find them and gently place them there.
If you have monitored the kittens for an extended period of time and there is no sign of their mother, gently collect the kittens and place them in a carrier. Contact your local animal services provider for the next steps you can take to best care for the kittens. You can also reach out to your local humane society or rescue.