Removing kittens from their current environment is not always the answer.

Neonatal kittens not only require 'round the clock feedings but also have incredibly vulnerable immune systems making them highly susceptible to disease. Many animal shelters struggle to provide the specialized care young kittens need, especially when separated from mom. These shelters heavily rely on their own foster bases and other foster-based rescues to keep sensitive populations out of these harsh environments. As foster homes fill up and resources become scarce, euthanasia risks increase.

Leaving kittens with their mom until they're old enough to be safely separated and spayed/neutered is the recommended approach. However, this isn't always possible. Please review the steps below to determine what you should do if you find kittens.

Are the kittens sick or injured? Healthy kittens will be warm to the touch, have full and fluffy fur, and will most likely be sleeping quietly in a heap with their littermates. If the kittens appear healthy and you do not notice any visible wounds or sores, continue to Step 2.

If kittens are visibly injured, take them to your local animal shelter or emergency veterinary clinic immediately. 

How old do you estimate the kittens to be? Knowing the kittens’ approximate age will help guide your decisions. Kittens grow fast, and their needs change week by week. At birth, kittens’ eyes are closed, their ears are folded, and they can’t see or hear. By 2 weeks old, their eyes are open, their ears are unfolding and they’re managing a wobbly walk. By 8 weeks old, most kittens will be eating independently and confidently exploring their world. 

For additional information on how to determine the age of a kitten, you can view these articles by Kitten Lady, ASPCA, and Alley Cat Allies. Once you have determined age, you can proceed to Step 3.

Kittens under 6-8 weeks old: An unweaned kitten's best chance of survival is with mom.  If you do not see mom initially, wait. She may be out hunting or avoiding her nest due to human activity. After a few hours, if you see signs that mom has returned to the nest, leave the kittens where they are. This is their best chance at survival. 

If mom does not return, continue to Step 4.

If mom DOES return, but the area is unsafe for any reason, contact your local animal shelter or rescues to find placement for the WHOLE family. Do NOT leave mom behind. 

Kittens under 6-8 weeks old: If you still do not see mom return after a few hours, it is time to contact your local animal shelter and/or rescues to see what placement options are available to you. Most organizations have programs in place to train finders interested in fostering themselves! If you are interested in this, make sure to bring it up. 

Kittens 8 weeks and above: Kittens older than 8 weeks don't need a lot of intervention from humans or their mother to survive. However, it is important that they are spayed or neutered before they start adding to the stray population themselves. If you are willing to coordinate spay/neuter and initial veterinary care for the kittens yourself, you can contact your local organizations and inquire about spay or neuter services in your area. If not, now is the time to find shelter or rescue placement, the sooner the better.