Not all kittens need help. A kitten’s best chance of survival is when they are with their mother, so before you scoop up kittens you find outdoors, it is important to determine if they’re truly orphans or if mom is just hiding or hunting nearby.
- Quietly observe from a distance to determine if the mother is present.
- If the kittens are clean and sleeping in a heap, mom is most likely out hunting and will be back to care for them.
- If you sense the kittens are in immediate danger, move them to a safe area nearby where mom can still find them. Place them in a sheltered area, away from direct sun, rain or traffic and continue to watch for the mother.
- If you have observed the kittens for 12 to 24 hours and the mother has not returned, then pick them up and care for them.
If mom is nearby or returns, let her be the one to care for them until they are 8 weeks old.
Follow the chart below to determine what to do next:
