What Should You Do If You Find An Abandoned Kitten

You should never assume that kittens have been abandoned by their mother just because you can’t see her right then and there. Mother cats often leave the nest to hunt for food. They also move their nest frequently and might be in the process of moving from one place to another. Feral mothers are often afraid of humans and will not come around if people are present. If you come across a litter of kittens, you should keep an eye on the nest for a few hours to make sure that mom is not coming back. The same is true if you find one kitten – make sure that mom isn’t moving more kittens into that space.

If you find a kitten that has truly been abandoned, the first thing that you should do is to get him somewhere warm and safe. If you cannot care for him yourself, you can call a local animal rescue and see if they have room to take him in. Rescues get many calls every day asking for help and they may not have the resources to take in every orphaned kitten. If rescues cannot take him in, then your next option would be your local animal control. Do not assume that they will be automatically euthanized upon intake. Many animal control agencies work very closely with rescues that have resources for orphaned kitties. Some animal control agencies might have a lactating mother cat that might be willing to take on an additional kitten. Never leave an orphaned kitten to die outside hungry and cold.

If you can care for the kitten yourself you will need to create a warm, cozy place that is away from other pets. He will also need a litter box with non-clumping litter. The kitten will also need age appropriate food. If the kitten is very young, it will need to be bottle fed with KMR (kitten meal replacement) – sold at most pet stores, along with bottles. Never give kittens cow’s milk. If the kitten does need to be bottle fed, he will need to eat every 2-4 hours around the clock. If the kitten is a bit older and can lap from a dish, you can mix KMR and kitten wet food and make a very soupy mixture. Kittens at this age will still need to eat every 4 hours. Kittens between 6-8 weeks old can usually eat dry kitten food with wet food being weaned off gradually.

Once the kitten is around eight weeks old, he can be placed up for adoption. Before that happens, make sure that you get him neutered so that you aren’t faced with the same problem all over again next year! But, since different vets recommend surgery at different ages/weights, make sure that you follow their advice and have them fixed at the appropriate time. Many veterinarians will offer low cost neuters for rescue kitties. If you can’t find a vet who offers low cost surgery options, call your local animal control and see if have services for low cost spay/neuter.

Pets: The Gift that Keeps on Taking

Many of us know that pets make terrible gifts. But it never fails that someone, somewhere thinks that this is a splendid idea. Many of us who have had the opportunity to actually go to the shelter and choose a pet (as opposed to one choosing you one day on your walk home from work) know exactly how difficult it can be to choose a companion that is going to be with you for the next 10+ years. Long hair? Short hair? High energy? Low energy? Pure bred? Mutt? These decisions can be exhausting, and most of us have some sort of idea of what we want. But could you imagine making these decisions for someone else? Do you know your friends, family, spouse well enough to pick out their best friend for the next decade?

Five reasons why pets make bad gifts:

1) Pets are very expensive, and the recipient might not be able to afford proper veterinary care for the animal. The average yearly cost for owning a pet (between vet care, food, toys, boarding, training) can be upward of $1000.

2) Timing is everything. Just because someone wants a pet someday, does not mean that they are ready for that kind of commitment today.

3) It’s all about the chemistry. Just because you fall in love with a particular personality, does not mean that your friend will have the same feelings.

4) Pets require a lot of time and energy. Most people with dogs spend a minim of an hour a day exercising and training their dog; the recipient may not have a schedule that allows the time necessary to properly train, exercise, and socialize a new dog.

5) Housing always needs to be considered. If the recipient rents a house or apartment, pets may not be allowed. And if they are allowed at that particular place, is your friend ready and able to pay the $500 pet deposit? Also, when they move, are they prepared to spend the extra time and energy (and money) it takes to find a new place that allows pets?

If you are sure that your friend is ready for the commitment and you still want to give them the gift of a furry companion, here are a few ways to make sure that it is works out for everyone involved:

1) Make a donation to a local shelter or animal rescue in the person’s name.

2) If they offer it, buy a “gift certificate” to a local humane society. Then the recipient can either adopt an animal or the gift certificate can be used as a donation.

3) Give a gift basket full of pet goodies with a note offering to go with the recipient as they go to the shelter to pick out a pet, and pay the adoption fee

4) Offer to pay for the first vet visit (or a pay for a training class, or for the first grooming) for their chosen pet.