Let Mother Cat Be a Mom

Calls are steadily coming in from people who have discovered a nest of newborns, often in their own backyards.  Sometimes, callers are especially distressed because the mother cat is nowhere to be found.  While our good-hearted instincts tell us to rush in and rescue the poor, little itty bitty creatures, the best advice, is to leave them alone, unless you are very certain they have been abandoned. 

Here's what to do if you find a nest of newborn kittens:

1.  The goal is to keep the mother and kittens together to ensure their best chances for the kittens' survival.  In the first weeks of their lives, kittens need their mother's care and antibodies from her milk.  And as they grow, the mother will begin to give her kittens the critical training. 

2.  Determine the age of the kittens: 

• Under one week: Eyes shut, ears flat to head, skin pinkish. Part of umbilical cord may be attached. Scooting on belly. 
• 10-14 days: Eyes begin to open, ears flat. Smaller than your hand. Still scoot. 
• Three weeks: Eyes fully open - blue in color, ears erect, tooth buds visible. Walking but wobbly.

3.  Above all, do not interfere with the kittens or the nest.  It is essential to their survival that you do not handle them, or try to create a shelter, keep them warm, or feed them, as long as the mother is around.  These interventions may stress the mother and cause her to abandon her family. 

4.  You can help Mama Cat by providing food and water.  Be sure to place the dishes far enough away from the nest that you do not disturb mom and her kittens, or draw predators such as raccoons to the nest area.  And of course, keep dogs and children far away. 

5.  Mama Cat needs to be trapped and spayed, but not now.  If you happen to trap a female with enlarged nipples, you must search for the kittens.  Inform the vet that the mother has kittens.  Return her to nurse her kittens within 12 hours of trapping.

The previous prose was taken from From Fix Our Ferals.

ADOPTIONS

Pet Food Express

Kittens

will hold adoptions on Saturday from 12:00 until 4:00 and Sunday from 12:00 until 3:00.

Dogs

Benicia Dog Park

Puppy Tales will have dogs for adoption Friday night from 6:00 until dark.