Every Dollar Counts

PLEASE CONTACT A RESCUE BEFORE TAKING THE KITTENS FROM THEIR MOM!

The first step when discovering kittens in your yard is to leave the area unless they are in immediate danger. Observe from a safe distance (such as inside your home) to ensure the mom cat feels comfortable returning to care for them.

If you’ve been feeding the mom, continue to do so. If not, check with your neighbors to see if anyone has been feeding her. Offer nutritious food and clean water. Nursing moms need significantly more food than usual—imagine how hungry you’d be if you were eating for six!

Mother cats often choose safe locations to give birth. First-time moms, however, might make quick, hasty decisions, which is why kittens often end up in bushes, flower beds, window wells, or woodpiles. Moms frequently move their kittens to new spots as they grow, as the weather changes, or as people approach. Keep track of where the kittens are being moved and offer her a safer alternative, such as a cat house, a covered porch, or a storage tub.

If You’ve Already Captured the Kittens

If you’ve already brought the kittens indoors, here’s what to do next:

• Keep them warm: Use a heating pad (on low), a hot water bottle, or wrap them in a warm towel.
• Do NOT feed cold kittens: Feeding cold kittens can be fatal. Warm them first.
• Feed appropriately: The best food is KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement), available at pet stores, grocery stores, or Walmart. Many stores also sell pet nursing kits with small bottles.
• Do not cut the hole in the nipple too large.
• NEVER give kittens cow’s milk or human baby cereal. Goat’s milk is acceptable if KMR isn’t available.
• Contact a local rescue immediately: If the rescue cannot take the kittens right away, they may help you find placement or offer guidance on how to care for them until placement is arranged. 

How Feral Feline Project Can Help

Feral Feline Project is a small organization, and while we cannot take every kitten found, we are here to help! If you’re willing to provide a foster home, we will provide everything else:

• Food
• Litter
• Toys
• Medical care
• Adoption assistance
• Training and support

Next Steps for the Mom Cat

Once the kittens are safe, contact your local TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) group to ensure the mom cat is humanely trapped, spayed, and vaccinated. Do not attempt to catch her yourself or place her in a regular pet carrier—this can be dangerous for both you and the cat. For everyone's safety, she must be trapped and transported using a proper TNR trap. Cats will not be accepted for surgery or veterinary services unless they are presented to us in a proper TNR trap.

If you’re in Northwest Cook County, Feral Feline Project can help. The cost for TNR is $100 per cat.