URGENT PLEA: LEAVE KITTENS WITH MOM
Message from President and CEO
Spay-Neuter: Due to medical supply shortages and guidance from national organizations, Charleston Animal Society has limited some non-essential surgeries, so the medical supplies we typically use can instead be sent to hospitals battling the coronavirus outbreak.
Leave ’em Be
Leave baby kittens with their mother. The BEST thing you can do when you find a kitten outdoors is leave them with their mother. They will get the proper nutrition, mom will protect them and she will train them to survive outdoors, until it’s time to bring them to us. As we say, “If you see, leave ‘em be!”
What do you do if you find kittens?
1. Observe
If you find kittens who are alone, determine if the mother has abandoned them or if she is just off looking for food. The only way to find this out is to wait. Often times, she will return within a few hours. Observe from a distance or a hidden spot to be sure she is not returning before moving the kittens. Use common sense and be patient.
2. You See Mom!
Remember that the BEST option is to always leave the kittens with their mother.
The best thing for the family is to leave the kittens where they are for now as long as the location is safe. Remember, the mother is best able to care for her kittens. You can assist in providing food, water, and shelter. Monitor the family daily and make the environment as safe for them as you can.
When the kittens are out exploring on their own, this is the optimal age to bring them out of the field and to a shelter for socialization, health checkup and spay-neuter.
3. You Don’t See Mom.
If the mother cat doesn’t come back after 8 hours, and you think she has abandoned the kittens or they are in danger, you can choose one of several options.
- Raise them yourself
- Bring them to your local county shelter for fostering