Should You Rescue Those Kittens?

Spring is when animals reproduce. For cats, they can keep reproducing until the weather turns cold again. In our area, kitten season starts in early spring and lasts until fall.

What do you do if you find kittens?

First, try to determine their age. Kittens under two weeks old will still have their eyes closed or are just starting to open them. From about two to four weeks, eyes will be open, kittens will be alert and moving around more. From four to six weeks, they are mobile and talkative and might be eating solid food. All kittens under six weeks old are better with their mom. If you see a mother cat, leave the kittens where they are.

If you find kittens under six weeks old, and don’t immediately see their mother- don’t take them away just yet. A kitten’s best chance of survival is with her. She may be off hunting or may not come around if people are present. Watch for her to come back for a few hours. Leave a ring of flour around the kittens, then check for mom’s footprints in the flour. If you see her or see evidence that she’s caring for the kittens, leave them in her care. You can help by providing shelter, food, & water. You can also work with Second Chance or another spay/neuter group to have mom and kittens spayed/neutered and vaccinated when they’re ready. Kittens can be spayed and neutered as young as 8 weeks of age if they are healthy and weigh at least two pounds.

If you have given it some time, and still don’t see evidence of a mother cat, you need to act quickly. Some of the most vulnerable kittens are those who do not have their mom to take care of them. Very young orphan kittens require around-the-clock care, including bottle feeding. Their situation is very precarious. If you cannot provide this care, contact Second Chance or another local shelter or rescue.

We are prepared for orphans. But we want to make sure that kittens are truly abandoned or orphaned. Even a feral mom living outdoors is better suited to caring for her babies than people are.

Kittens over six weeks old are active, playful, fuzzy little bundles, who no longer need their mother’s constant care. These babies should be handled differently. If the kittens are healthy, friendly & social, utilize social media and your network to try to place them in homes. You can also email animalcare@secondchancehumane.org to ask if we have the space and resources to help.

Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated to serving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Our adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We are located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. You can view our shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.