What is Kitten Season?
Kitten Season is the time of year when, as weather gets warmer, animal welfare providers see a flood of kittens, with and without mom, in need of care. This is part of the larger springtime season of babies that takes place with our wild neighbors as well. Each year the AWLA has nearly 100 kittens and pregnant mothers come through our doors, all needing medical treatment and specialized care, and thankfully we have a team of fosters, volunteers and staff who are ready to provide the care they need.
What if I See a Kitten?
“I found some abandoned kittens outside. Should I bring them to the shelter?” This is a common question our staff hear beginning each spring, and their answer is usually “not yet”. We know that everyone wants to help kittens in need, but often their mother is nearby. Kittens have the best chance to thrive if they can stay with her as they grow; however, if Mom does not return to her babies within a few hours, then it is time to step in. Click here (or scroll down) to see our Found Kitten Flow Chart.
Here are a few more resources on when and when not to intervene if you find kittens:
- Found Kittens: What to Do (Best Friends Animal Society)
- What to Do When You Find Kittens Outside (Best Friends Animal Society)
Our Awesome Fosters
Once kittens arrive at the shelter and are seen by our animal care team — you can learn more about kitten’s first day at the shelter HERE — they go to the home of one of our foster caregivers. Our fosters care for kittens whether they are a day old or just need a few weeks of time in a home before they are ready to find families of their own. If mom arrives with her kittens, our fosters provide much appreciated breaks from kitten care to keep everyone happy and healthy, but when litters or single kittens arrive alone, they fill the role of mom, giving the orphan kittens everything they need, including a lot of love, as they grow. If you’re interested in joining our foster team, you can find out more and start the process here.
How Can I Help?
You can help make a difference in the lives of some of Alexandria’s tiniest animals! For such little kittens, they sure eat a lot of food, so you can view the supplies and food they need to grow on our Kitten Season Wish List. If you’d like to learn more about joining our team of foster caregivers, visit our Foster Page. It takes a dedicated community to help these little felines from their early days to adoption and thankfully that’s just what they have!
Found Kitten Flow Chart
