It's Kitten Season!

contributed by April Peiffer, WCRAS

Who can resist the tiny mews from a kitten? WHAT ABOUT A WHOLE LITTER?

It’s tough, we know. With kitten season approaching, now is a good time to talk about the best approach if you come across a tiny family of cute and cuddly kittens with Momma Cat nowhere in sight.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

STOP! Don’t be a “kit-napper”! Before you spring into action, let’s assess the situation to find out if they need intervention. If the kittens are not in immediate danger, injured, or suffering, your first move is to find out if Momma Cat is nearby. You may not see her — she might be out hunting for that much-needed food to feed her babies. Or she might be hiding from you. In either case, she is best equipped to care for her little ones and you should leave them where they are for the time being. To be sure she’s around and able to care for them, you can do a kitten stakeout to watch for her return. Or — try a trick of the kitty trade — sprinkle some flour around the kittens. If the flour has been disturbed when you return a few hours later, you know that Momma Cat is present and taking care of her babies.

WHEN TO SHELTER

 If they are sick, hurt, or in immediate danger, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is ready to help.

 If they are active — running, jumping, playing — and eating solid food, bring them to WCRAS; they will be spayed/neutered and vaccinated and staff will help them find loving new homes.

 If you’ve watched out for Momma Cat and she hasn’t returned in 8 to 12 hours, the kittens do need your help and you should bring them to the shelter.

KITTEN SEASON

Kitten season is quickly approaching, and you can play a vital role in assisting the shelter to care for every animal that arrives. Should you find yourself bringing in kittens, we encourage you to offer to foster them immediately. This crucial step enables our staff to evaluate them thoroughly and integrate them into our system. After their initial check-up, you'll have the opportunity to bring them into your home and nurture them until they are ready for adoption.

Fostering kittens is an incredibly fulfilling experience, and our dedicated volunteer mentor team is here to support you, offering all the guidance and knowledge you need to get started.

But remember, no one can care for kittens better than their momma can and leaving kittens where you found them may be the best course of action.