Kitten Season is Here - But Should You Intervene?

Kitten season is here - but should you intervene?

Each year, we receive several litters of kittens who arrive with full bellies and warm bodies, which indicates that their mother hasn’t been gone for long. Kittens rely on their mother, not only for nursing but also for learning essential cat behaviours. Removing a litter that the mother has been attending to can cause significant stress for both the kittens and their mother when she returns. As experienced and dedicated as our hand-rearing team is, they cannot replace the nurture and protection that a mother provides.

If you find a litter of kittens while out, there’s a good chance that the mother has simply stepped away to find food. If the kittens are warm and have full bellies, it's highly likely that the mother has been with them recently. We recommend observing the kittens from a discreet location for a few hours to see if the mother returns. She may be out foraging for food, in the process of moving her kittens, or just taking a short break.

Mother cats living outdoors instinctively know how to care for and protect their kittens, and usually do not require our intervention. If you wish to help, providing shelter, food, and fresh water can be beneficial, but it’s crucial to let the mother do her job. The best course of action is to allow the mother and her kittens to be undisturbed until the kittens are fully weaned.

If the mother has not returned within a few hours, or if any of the kittens or the mother appear sick or injured, please contact our team at 028 3025 1000, or your nearest vet, for advice on the next steps.

Thank you for your compassion and support in helping us care for animals.