Found Kittens

If you find kittens outdoors:

If you find kittens who are alone, determine if the mother has actually abandoned them.  She could be looking for food or just hiding nearby.  The only way to determine this is to wait.  Leave the kittens alone and observe from a distance or a hidden spot.  Often she will return within a few hours.  Be patient.  Kittens that are being cared for will seem healthy and content.  Removing kittens when there is a mother to care for them may actually decrease their chances of survival.

 

Kittens that have to be bottle fed are at a much higher risk of not surviving.  Their best chances are with their mother, even if they are outside.

As the kittens get older, the mother will spend less time with them.  Visit Alley Cats Allies kitten progression page.  If it appears the mother has truly abandoned them or something has happened to her, the kittens are in danger, or they seem to be in distress, then they need intervention.

 

Depending on their age or health, you may decide to provide care for them until they are old enough to be adopted, or they may be old enough to find them homes.  If they are older than 4 months, they are good candidates for Trap-Neuter-Return.

For more information about caring and finding homes for kittens, see alleycat.org/kittens

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The Kitten Lady is also an awesome resource for determining kitten age and how to best care for them if the mother is truly MIA after a minimum of 24 hours.