What to Do If You Find Kittens: A Guide
Spring and summer often bring a wave of surprise visitors to porches, barns, and backyards: kittens. While your first instinct may be to scoop them up and bring them inside, it's important to pause and assess the situation first. At Homeward Bound, we follow national best practices for community cats to ensure the safest, most humane outcomes for both kittens and their mothers.
🚫 Don't “Kit-Nap”!
If you find a litter of kittens outdoors, do not remove them immediately. In many cases, their mother is nearby—hunting, hiding, or simply waiting for you to leave.
👉 Why this matters:
Kittens have the best chance of survival when cared for by their mother, especially in their first few weeks of life.
🕵️♀️ Watch and wait:
If the kittens are warm, quiet, and seem healthy, observe from a distance for several hours (or even a full day). If the mother returns, leave the litter with her until the kittens are weaned—typically around 5 to 6 weeks old.
Make it stand out
⚠️ When to Intervene
Sometimes, intervention is necessary. If the kittens are:
Cold
Crying constantly
Covered in fleas or flies
In a high-traffic or unsafe area
Injured or visibly ill
If any of these apply, contact Homeward Bound right away. We’ll help assess the situation and provide guidance on next steps.
👩👧 What If Mom Returns?
Great! You can support her by providing food and water nearby, but not directly next to the nest. Avoid disturbing the area. Once the kittens are weaned, Homeward Bound can help with Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to prevent more litters in the future.
🏡 When to Socialize and Adopt
Kittens under 8 weeks should stay with mom if possible. Once they're old enough to eat on their own and be safely handled, Homeward Bound or another rescue may be able to take them in for socialization and adoption. We focus on placing adoptable kittens in loving homes and ensuring feral adults are returned safely to their territory after spay/neuter.
📞 Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
If you're unsure about what to do, please reach out. Acting too quickly can separate kittens from a mother still caring for them. Acting too late can result in more litters. We're here to help guide you through every step.
