Kittens
Kittens…
Kittens can be usually be spayed or neutered when they weigh AT LEAST 3lbs. Some programs only require 2lbs/2months.
A female cat can get pregnant as young as 4 months old and a mama cat can get pregnant 2 weeks after giving birth. Thus, it is so important to get them in for spay before that.
If kittens are very young and still nursing, it is ideal to go ahead and trap mama and the babies and get them into a foster situation. Otherwise, leave young kittens with their mama. 5-6 weeks is the optimal age to take the kittens from a feral Mama Cat for socialization and adoption placement, and any time after 8 weeks for Trap-Neuter-Return (spay/neuter, vaccination, eartip, and return to their colony). For kittens of friendly cats, they should remain with Mama Cat until at least 8-10 weeks old.
ALWAYS check with local rescue groups and the facility that will do the spay/neuter surgeries regarding their policies and requirements.
Found kittens but don’t know if mama is still coming to feed them?
Spread a circle of flour around them and check on them in a few hours. If you see footprints in the flour, mama is feeding them and leave them where they are! Mother cats tend to not stay with their babies so as to not attract predators.
Kitten and Mum Scenarios and How to Trap from Animal Advocacy. Includes “How to Use Kittens to Trap a Mother Cat, and Vice Versa”
How to trap kittens and mother cats from Alley Cat Allies
Unsure of whether or not to socialize those kittens and what is involved? Here’s what Feral Cat Focus has to say!
Tiny Kittens! Check out their website for entertaining, educational, and inspiring posts and videos including Ringworm in Foster Homes.
Raising Orphan Kittens from the Feral Cat Coalition.
Looking to build a Foster Program? Check this out from Maddie’s Fund!
Information on using Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth for fleas and other parasites.
Are you fostering kittens with and upper respiratory infection and/or nasty-looking eyes? Then this page from the National Kitten Coalition might have the info that is just what you need to know.
And more on controlling fleas on kittens from The Nest.
And check out these tips from Feral Cat Focus on humanely trapping kittens and mom!