Found Kittens? What to Do
What do I do with a kitten I found? They’re cute, cuddly, and desperately in need of your help. Or are they?
If you find a litter of kittens outside, 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. Instead, here's what to do with found kittens based on the circumstances.
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What is kitten season?
Kitten season occurs during the warmer months of the year — typically peaking in the spring and summer — when unsterilized cats are more likely to give birth. Cats are seasonal breeders, so the longer daylight hours trigger their breeding cycle.
Kitten season is also a difficult time of year for animal shelters nationwide as their resources are stretched thin to care for the influx of kittens, along with their other animals. Young kittens without their mothers require round-the-clock care. Fortunately, everyone in the community can help make sure these babies and their mamas live happy, healthy lives.
What to do if you've found kittens outside
If you've found kittens outside, you want to give them the best chance of survival. Follow the steps in this video for what to do:
Pro tips for found kittens:
- Kittens are usually safer outside with their mom than they are in a shelter.
- The mom cat is probably scared of you and will return to her babies once you leave.
- Put a ring of flour around the kittens and look for paw prints to see whether mom has returned to them.
- Ensure that all cats you come across get spayed and neutered.
This video includes a flow chart for what to do if you find kittens that you can screenshot to keep handy:
Let's do all we can in our communities to give these babies the best chance to thrive!
