What to do if you Find Stray Kittens

By Katie Woolsey, The Escondido Humane Society

This time of year, it is not uncommon to find stray kittens that appear to be lost or abandoned. That’s because we are right in the middle of kitten season, which refers to the natural mating cycle of cats (it starts in the spring and lasts through the fall).

As I type this column, the Escondido Humane Society is caring for 309 kittens at our facility—some with moms, some without. That being said, we aren’t the only ones affected by litters of kittens: Many people in the public find them in their backyards or on their daily travels and might not know what to do. Here are a few tips on what you should do if you find stray kittens, courtesy of the Austin Humane Society:

In most cases, if a kitten or litter of kittens is found alone, the mother cat is off hunting for food and will return shortly or she is hiding from you. It is important not to take kittens who have a mother—their best chance of survival is to remain with her. To be sure that the mama kitty is nearby, hide somewhere out of sight and watch the kittens from a distance then wait to see if she comes back. If she does, please leave the kittens with her.

If mom comes back, create a food source for her—set out bowls with dry cat food and water and keep them replenished. This will allow mom to stay healthy and near her babies. If the mom does not come back after 20 minutes or so, it's time to trap the kitten. Young kittens will be easy to handle, but older kittens may prove difficult to catch. If they will not let you touch them, try food incentives to lure them.

It is important to bring them into the shelter or to a vet as soon as possible. Without knowing the age of the kittens you cannot know what to feed them or how often. Newborn kittens can eat as frequently as every two hours. Keep them warm by placing them in a safe and confined area (box or crate) on top of a heating pad and towel.

The Escondido Humane Society is in need of foster parents for orphaned kittens and puppies and for moms and litters. 

For more information, log on to escondidohumanesociety.org or email stacif@escondidohumanesociety.org.