This time of year doesn’t just bring warmer weather and longer days — it also brings kittens. And lots of them. With the number of stray cats in Toronto estimated to be between 20,000 and 100,000, we anticipate hundreds of kittens will be born during this year’s “kitten season.”
If you come across one of these adorable bundles of fur, your first instinct might be to scoop them up and take them home, but this may not always be in the best interest of the kitten.
Kittens shouldn’t be taken from the spot you found them right away. For a variety of reasons, they are better off remaining with their mother for a while. Removing them from their mother too early can do more harm than good. So how do you know when kittens should be left alone, or when they need your help?
Don’t Kitnap Kittens is a resource designed by Toronto Humane Society to help you know when kittens need a hand, and when they don’t. You’ll find everything you need to know, including a step-step, interactive chart that will guide you should you ever come across a litter of kittens. You can refer to the breakdown below, or you can download the full PDF version here.
There are three options for finders of kittens without a mom. You could:
Kittens are one of the most fragile and vulnerable of the animal populations that we serve. It takes a village to help support these little lives– such as orphan kittens Bibbsy and Bobbsy.
These 1-week-old precious kittens were found without their mother, brought to Toronto Animal Services, and then transferred into our care.
They are receiving around the clock care from a loving Foster Parent. This includes bottle feeding every few hours, tummy rubs to stimulate their muscles to relieve themselves, and constant monitoring to maintain their body temperatures.
Because Bibbsy and Bobbsy are orphans, their dedicated Foster Parent will also help socialize and prepare them to enjoy interactions and be comfortable with people, places, activities, and other animals. This is an extremely important part of a young cat’s life that will help them to be less fearful, and puts them on the path to becoming social, happy, well-adjusted adults.
You can help support kittens that come into our care by making a monetary donation or by donating kitten supplies such as kitten food, formula, or heating pads to our location at 11 River Street in Toronto.
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