What to Do If You Find Kittens

1. First: Wait and Watch

During spring and summer, mother cats often leave kittens alone while they look for food or move them. Before assuming they’re abandoned:

  • Stand at least 35 feet away so mom feels safe returning.
  • It may take several hours for her to come back.
  • Only intervene if the kittens are in immediate danger (weather, traffic, predators, harmful people).

Healthy kittens can go hours without food as long as they stay warm. A mother cat is always their best chance of survival.

2. If the Mother Returns

If mom is feral and the area is safe:

  • Leave the family together until kittens are 4–5 weeks old (when they start eating on their own).
  • You may offer shelter and food, but keep them separate so mom doesn’t feel her nest is threatened.
  • Do not try to confine a feral mother cat.

If you plan to socialize the kittens:
Bring them inside around 4–5 weeks old, handle them often, and have them spayed/neutered around 8–10 weeks.

If you cannot foster:
Leave the kittens with mom so they can learn survival skills. Do not socialize kittens you can’t place.

Remember: mother cats can get pregnant again while nursing. Contact Purr Angels (530-842-1875) for help spaying feral cats.

3. If the Mother Does NOT Return

If mom is confirmed gone (injured, deceased, or clearly not returning):

You may take the kittens in—but be prepared for a major commitment. Newborns need round‑the‑clock care every 2–3 hours.

  • Most shelters and vets cannot take newborns on short notice.
  • The Siskiyou Humane Society may help find a bottle-feeder, but it can take days or weeks.
    Contact:  530‑926‑4052.

SHS can support finders willing to foster with food, supplies, and medical care until kittens are 8 weeks and 2.5+ lbs.

If you choose to raise them yourself, you’ll be responsible for:

  • vet care
  • spay/neuter
  • vaccinations
  • finding homes

Spay/neuter assistance is available—please help stop the cycle of more litters.

4. How to Estimate Kitten Age

  • Under 1 week: Eyes closed, ears flat, pink skin, may have umbilical cord.
  • 1–10 days: Eyes starting to open; still tiny.
  • 3 weeks: Eyes open, ears up, teeth showing, wobbly walking.
  • 4–5 weeks: Eye color changing, more active, starting to eat soft food.

Age guide: http://aspcapro.org/blog/2014/07/03/tip-week-4-ways-tell-kittens-age

5. Basic Kitten Care & Bottle‑Feeding

Warmth first — ALWAYS.
Never feed a cold kitten. Warm them slowly using a towel and your body heat.

Feeding:

  • Kittens under 4 weeks need bottle-feeding only.
  • They cannot pee/poop on their own—stimulate them after every feeding.
  • Feed every 3 hours (or every 2 hours for tiny/sick kittens).

Use only kitten milk replacer — NOT cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or human formula.
Recommended powdered formulas include KMR or Just Born.

Once opened, formula must be refrigerated.

6. Need Help?

  • Siskiyou Humane Society advice line: 530‑926‑4052
  • Foster program inquiries: same number, ask for the coordinator or manager
  • Kitten socialization tips: https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/kitten-socialization-how-to/