The Best Way to Help Found Kittens

You go out for a walk and hear tiny, helpless kitten cries coming from under a bush. What should you do?

Surprisingly, it’s probably not what you think.

To give newborn kittens the best chance of survival, here are the questions you should ask yourself, and the steps you should follow.

July 07, 2022

By: Discovery and Best Friends Animal Society

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Photo By: Sarah Ause Kichas

Photo By: Lori Fusaro

How long ago did you first notice the litter?

If it has only been a short time, leave the kittens alone and try to figure out if their mom is still around. Observe them from a distance every couple of hours. It’s okay to wait up to 10 to 12 hours to see if mom returns for them. If the kittens seem content and are not fussing, there’s a good chance their mom is coming back.

Haven’t seen the mom cat recently?

Sprinkle a ring of flour around the kittens so you can go away but check periodically for paw prints from a returning mother cat. If you have a wildlife camera, that’s also an excellent way to monitor the nest from a safe distance.

Are the kittens in any danger?

If the kittens are in danger due to their location, move them to a safer spot nearby so the mom can easily find them when she returns.

Do any of the kittens look injured or sick or are they crying or cold to the touch?

If the kittens are dirty, meowing, or appear sick, underweight, or dehydrated, this could be a sign that the mom hasn’t been around in some time. Contact a local rescue organization or a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) or community cat program. They can help you determine if the kittens are at risk and if you should intervene.

Is their nest clean or messy?

Mom cats are very fastidious about keeping their babies clean, so chances are if they are in a tidy location she’s been around recently.

How old do you think the kittens may be?

This flyer can help you determine the kittens’ age and identify key milestones (are their eyes open, are they walking, etc.). The younger the kittens, the more likely they will need human intervention if the mom doesn’t show up soon.

Did the mom not return after 12 hours or so?

If mom doesn’t return, and the kittens otherwise appear healthy, it’s time to step in and be their hero. You can care for the kittens yourself, right from the comfort of your home. While caring for newborn kittens is incredibly rewarding, and by keeping them out of the shelter, you are giving them a better chance to survive and thrive. Here are resources to help you take care of very young kittens if their mom doesn’t return and you are able to foster them. Many shelters even offer resources and supply kits to support those who can foster found kittens in their homes, and can help with spaying/neutering when the kittens are old enough.