It is not ideal for a kitten to be born outside. They are fragile at their age, and many do not survive because of diseases, parasites or other health problems. Follow these steps to help these kittens without endangering their life, and to avoid "kidnapping" them by prematurely separating them from their mother.

1. Do you see any obvious signs of injury or illness? (blood, sore, pus, eyes stuck together, swollen, cold to the touch)

If so: Contact your animal service immediately. Most of us are connected 24/7 to your police department for emergencies threatening the survival of an animal.

If not: ⬇️

2. ESTIMATE THE AGE OF THE KITTEN

GUIDE HERE

5 weeks and + : If he can eat canned food by himself, he can be taken to a shelter (with or without his mother). Make arrangements with your animal service, which will offer socialization and the necessary medical care (vaccines, deworming, sterilization, etc.) until his adoption.

4 weeks and - : The kitten is unweaned, he needs his mother. ⬇️

3. OBSERVE FROM A DISTANCE, BE PATIENT. CAN YOU SEE THE MOTHER?

If so: It is preferable to wait until the kitten is weaned before intervening. Let the mother do her job, she is best to keep warm, clean, feed, educate, stimulate his needs, etc. To separate them would be a "kidnapping" and would threaten the survival of the baby.

If not: Wait about 4 hours, she could be out looking for food, or moving her litter 1 kitten at a time. If she doesn't come back: ⬇️

4. CONTACT YOUR ANIMAL SERVICE SO THEY CAN TAKE IN THE KITTEN

At less than 4 weeks old, he should be kept warm and bottle fed with kitten milk replacer every 2-4 hours. If you do not have access to an animal service, contact a veterinarian or someone who has experience caring for newborn kittens.

Never give cow milk to a kitten! This could lead to serious health problems.

THE MOTHER: IS SHE SOCIABLE?

If so: Contact your animal service to try and find her owner. If she does not have one, she can be sterilized, cared for and placed for adoption at the shelter.

If not: Do not bother her until the kittens are weaned.

Bringing her into your home is a bad idea, the stress will put her own health and that of her babies at risk.

When the time comes, the kittens can be brought to the shelter and the mother sterilized to prevent other litters from being born in these conditions. Do not wait too long to capture the kittens after they are weaned, as it will become difficult to approach them the more they adopt their mother's behavior.

---

If in doubt, we are here to advise you:

• info@spcaroussillon.com
• 450-638-9698
• Connected to your police station for emergencies 24/7