You found a kitten. Now what? 

They’re cute, cuddly and desperately in need of your help. Or are they? 

If you find a litter of tiny kittens outdoors, it’s natural to want to scoop them up and try to care for them yourself or take them to a shelter. But both of those options might actually place them in more danger. Young kittens are at high risk of dying or being killed in shelters because they require around-the-clock care.  

Most shelters don’t have the time, space and people power to attend to the critical needs of young kittens. The best thing to do for healthy kittens is to leave them with their mother, who is often nearby planning to return and care for her babies. 

STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO DO?

Download the guide to determine whether a kitten needs your help. 

 Get the guide »

Found a kitten who is visibly sick or injured? 

Seek veterinary attention immediately from a local veterinarian or the nearest animal shelter. 

  • Affordable Pet Clinic       
    3004 Little York Road      
    Houston, TX 77093                   
    713-692-5100
  • North Durham Animal Hospital      
    2018 N. Durham Drive     
    Houston, TX 77008                  
    713-863-7387
  • Texas Litter Control     
    32632 Wright Road    
    Magnolia, TX 77355                 
    24950 Spring Ridge Drive, Building B     
    Spring, TX 77386    
    281-528-1238
  • PetWorks Express    
    11326 Westheimer Road, Suite C     
    Houston, TX 77077     
    281-870-0570

Three cat silhouttes

Caring for kittens 

If you’ve found kittens and are sure the mother isn’t returning, here’s what you’ll need to know about providing lifesaving love and care for them. 

Get help feeding kittens 

Whether it’s your first time fostering or you’re a pro, Best Friends has resources to ensure that your kitten fostering journey goes as smoothly as possible. 

Houston spay/neuter services 

Spaying and neutering are key in ending the killing of homeless pets in shelters. 

The list below includes a small selection of spay/neuter services offered in Houston. Please note that it is not all-inclusive. Some clinics may also provide vaccines and limited wellness care for veterinary needs beyond sterilization. 

Check to make sure the facility is open, to get more information on the services offered, and to schedule an appointment.  

You can also go to a private veterinary clinic or animal hospital for veterinary needs, including spay/neuter services.

  • BARC City of Houston      
    3300 Carr St.      
    Houston, TX 77026                   
    713-837-0311
  • Citizens for Animal Protection      
    17555 Katy Freeway      
    Houston, TX 77094                
    281-497-0591
  • Emancipet      
    910 S. Wayside Drive #100      
    Houston, TX 77023                 
    713-321-2713
  • Harris County Pets      
    612 Canino Road     
    Houston, TX 77076               
    281-999-3191
  • Houston Humane      
    14700 Almeda Road    
    Houston, TX 77053              
    713-433-6421
  • KAAWS      
    17259 FM 529   
    Houston, TX 77095              
    281-843-5181
  • North Durham Clinic      
    2018 N. Durham Drive   
    Houston, TX 77008               
    713-863-7387
  • ReadyPet     
    4031 South Braeswood    
    Houston, TX 77025               
    281-888-4610
  • SNAP     
    1801 Durham Drive, Suite 1   
    Houston, TX 77007               
    713-862-8001
  • Special Pals     
    3830 Greenhouse Road   
    Houston, TX 77084             
    281-579-7387
  • Texas Litter Control    
    32632 Wright Road   
    Magnolia, TX 77355             
    24950 Spring Ridge Drive, Building B    
    Spring, TX 77386   
    281-528-1238

Foster kittens to save lives

When you foster kittens, you become part of a lifesaving team working to create a bright future for homeless kittens here in Houston.

You can foster for Best Friends, or you can volunteer with one of our partnering shelters in Houston. Your help is especially important from March through December, when kittens arrive in overwhelming numbers at our nation’s animal shelters.

When you foster with Best Friends, we'll provide the necessary supplies and support to make sure the kittens get the love and care they need. Do you have questions about fostering with Best Friends? Email HoustonFoster@bestfriends.org.

These shelters in Houston are looking for volunteers like you to foster kittens:

BARC City of Houston » 

City of Baytown Animal Services and Adoption Center »

City of Pasadena Animal Shelter and Adoption Center »

City of Pearland Animal Shelter and Adoption Center »

Fort Bend County Animal Services »

Galveston County Animal Services »

Galveston Island Humane Society » 

Harris County Pets »  

Houston Humane Society »

Rosenberg Animal Control and Shelter »

SPCA of Brazoria County »

Sugar Land Animal Services » 

Foster for a Best Friends Network partner near you

Don't live near any of the locations above? The Best Friends Network is made up of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations and other animal welfare groups, all working to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country.

Each and every one of our network partners needs caring people like you to foster kittens to help save the lives of pets where you live.

Find a network partner near you today:

Search by City/State/Zip
Units: Miles
Address, City, Zip-Code, Country, ...
House icon

Help kittens find permanent loving homes 

Learn the best ways to get the word out about adoptable kittens. 

These seven tips from a social media pro can help you get maximum visibility for your whiskered wee ones. Plus, reading the guide to helping foster pets find homes can give you even more ideas for getting the word out about the kittens in your care. 

Download the guide to get started »

Still need help?  

If you have a question or need some guidance, email HoustonFoster@bestfriends.org.  


 

Our partners around the country 

Jacksonville Humane Society

Arizona Humane Society

Alley Cat Allies