HELP! I Found A Kitten!

Help, I Found A Kitten!

Remember, your first step should always be WATCH AND WAIT

Never feed kittens cows’ milk. KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement) is a powder that, when mixed with water in the correct proportions, is the ideal substitute to nourish and support frail, vulnerable, and completely dependent kittens when Mom’s vital milk is not an immediately available option. KMR is offered In- Store locally from Walmart, Kroger, Petco, and a variety of other retailers. Miracle nipples are by far the most successful brand of supplemental small animal nursing supplies for bottle babies who have struggled to sufficiently nurse using other nipples or may not be reaching the daily recommended nutritional intake necessary to promote and maintain a healthy weight. Amazon has Miracle Nipples for sale here, or in an emergency, reach out to your local shelter as quickly as possible for assistance with essential lifesaving kitten supplies.

I have kittens, now how do I keep them alive?

How To Socialize Feral Kittens With Humans

Age Matters!

The younger a kitten is when it’s introduced to positive experiences with humans, the easier it’ll be to “socialize,” or learn to be friendly (social) towards humans rather than frightened by them. If the kitten you’ve found is less than roughly 12 weeks/3 months of age, then with a little patience, time, and determination, you can probably turn that hissy, extra spicy fur taco you found in the backyard shed into a friendly, adoptable fur-baby burrito who no longer fears or avoids human interaction starting right MEOW!

Listen To The Experts!

Around 6 weeks of age, kittens will begin to gain independence by losing their food source— Mom. They will either find a new one, or take it upon themselves to hunt for one alone with only their inherited survival instinct to guide them. This is the ideal opportunity to form the special trust in humans they’ll require to enjoy a happy, safe, socialized, and indoor life. The experts at Feral Cat Focus have created a “Taming Feral Kittens” How-To Guide to reference for getting started, and the best techniques to follow to help promote you and your kitten’s success in the kitten socialization process.

Resources and Education

Pet Resource Library

“How You Can Help” from Spay Memphis volunteers

Online Library on Pet Health

Pet Place: Pet Resource Library (10,000+)

Online Library on Pet Health

“How You Can Help” from Spay Memphis volunteers

Online Library on Pet Health

Kitten Care Online Library

“How You Can Help” from Spay Memphis volunteers

Click here to view

“How You Can Help” from Spay Memphis volunteers

Learn more from a local TNR volunteer

FREE WEBINARS

Kitten Season 101: Everything To Know About Kitten Care

If no upcoming Webinar dates are listed for October 2024, this Webinar can also be viewed on YouTube Via Bideawee’s Feral Cat Initiative:

Spring is fast approaching, and so is the dreaded "kitten season"! 😿 Although we humans are looking forward to spending more time outdoors, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) caretakers know that longer days and warmer weather mean that more feral and stray community cats who have not yet been spayed or neutered will be breeding. Getting these kittens off the streets and adopted into loving indoor homes is one of the goals of TNR, and dedicated volunteer foster care is key to each feral-born kitten's adoption success!

Our introductory overview webinar, "Kitten Season 101," gives cat lovers of all experience levels a sample of the ways they can prepare kittens for adoption. Through bottle-feeding orphans or socializing "spicy" feral-born kittens in your home for your local animal shelter or cat rescue group, you can help reduce the number of kittens growing up on the streets and free up TNR caretakers' time so they can concentrate on trapping and spaying/neutering more adult community cats.

Please join us on February 21, and spread the word to friends and neighbors who may want to volunteer during kitten season!

Can't attend live? No problem! Everyone who registers will receive links to the webinar recording and handouts the next day.

If no upcoming dates are listed, note this Free Webinar Kitten 101 can also be viewed on YouTube.

Essential Lifesaving Kitten Care: Crash Course

The reason kittens are safer with Mom is because kitten care is a full-time job, + nights & weekends

Neonatal kittens (less than 4 weeks old) that have been separated from Momma Cat require a replacement Momma within a couple hours after being separated from her or will not survive for long afterwards. Frequent feedings throughout the day, in 2-3 hour intervals, are necessary to provide sufficient nourishment to maintain a healthy weight and promote regular and steady weight gain in newborn kittens, yes, including feedings every 2-3 hours throughout the night.

Kittens best chances for survival will always be with Mom! Assess this guide before taking action as soon as kittens are found