Kitten season brings a lot of questions, and the truth is, the best thing to do is not always to pick a kitten up right away.
In many cases, healthy kittens are safest staying where they are while their mother returns to care for them. Mother cats often leave temporarily to search for food, and removing kittens too quickly can accidentally separate them from the very thing they need most.
Before you move a kitten, take a moment to assess the situation.
Step 1: Look Before You Lift
If the kitten appears:
- clean
- quiet or sleeping
- warm
- round-bellied
- safely tucked away
there is a good chance mom is nearby and caring for them. In that case, do not remove the kitten immediately. Watch from a distance and give mom time to come back. Best Friends notes that healthy kittens are often better off staying with their mother than entering a shelter too soon.
Step 2: When a Kitten Needs Help Right Away
A kitten may need immediate help if they are:
- visibly sick or injured
- cold to the touch
- crying nonstop for a long period
- covered in ants, fleas, or dirt
- in immediate danger
- found with no sign of mom after careful observation
If that is the case, contact us as soon as possible for guidance.
Step 3: If Mom Is Nearby, Leave the Family Together
The safest place for young kittens is usually with their mother unless there is an emergency. Mom can keep them warm, feed them, and provide care that humans simply cannot replicate as well.
If the kittens are in a relatively safe spot:
- keep pets and people away
- watch from a distance
- avoid handling the kittens unless necessary
- check back to see whether mom returns
If the area is unsafe, the family may need to be moved a short distance to a safer nearby location rather than fully separated.
Step 4: Found Kittens Without Mom?
If you have confirmed that mom is not returning, the next best option may be fostering.
This is especially true for very young kittens. Best Friends emphasizes that shelters are often not the ideal environment for neonatal kittens, and that finder-to-foster programs can save lives by keeping kittens in a home setting until they are old enough for adoption.
Can You Foster?
If you found kittens, you may be the best person to help them survive.
Fostering gives kittens a quiet, safe place to grow while freeing up shelter space for animals with nowhere else to go. It can also give fragile kittens a better chance by keeping them out of a stressful shelter environment.
You do not have to be an expert to foster. Many first-time fosters start by helping with:
a mama cat and her kittens
a litter of weaned kittens
short-term care until placement is available
socialization and daily monitoring
Depending on your setup, fostering may include feeding, cleaning, weighing kittens, and bringing them to scheduled vet appointments.
What We’re Looking For in Foster Homes
Foster homes can make a lifesaving difference by providing:
If you found kittens and are able to keep them temporarily, we strongly encourage you to apply to foster.
Foster FAQs
What Will You Provide?
I found kittens. Do I have to keep them forever?
No. Fostering is temporary. The goal is to keep kittens safe until they are old enough for adoption or other placement.
What if I’ve never fostered before?
That’s okay. Many fosters are first-timers. Best Friends provides foster resources because ordinary people can absolutely learn to care for kittens with the right support.
What if the kittens are bottle babies?
Bottle babies need frequent feedings and more intensive care, so please contact us right away for next steps.
Should I bring found kittens straight to the shelter?
Not always. Very young kittens are often better off with their mother or in a foster home, depending on the situation.
Need Help Deciding What to Do?
Every kitten situation is different. If you are unsure whether a kitten needs to be rescued, moved, or monitored, contact us before taking action when possible.