Shaggy Sheet_Spring2023
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DON’T KIT-NAP THIS KITTEN SEASON<br />
Kitten Season has started again in sunny South Florida and chances are good that you<br />
may come across tiny newborn kittens outside.<br />
DON’T TOUCH THOSE KITTENS - their lives depend on it!<br />
They’re cute and tiny, but Kitten Season is NOT cute.<br />
During early spring until late fall, cats mate and give birth<br />
to numerous kittens. It’s this time of year in which shelters<br />
across the country feel added pressures.<br />
Good Samaritans see these kittens and desperately want<br />
to help them. The best way to help these kittens when you<br />
see them is to watch closely – where<br />
there is a nest of newborn kittens,<br />
mama cat isn’t too far away.<br />
Mama most likely went to find<br />
food for herself so she can<br />
continue to nurse her kittens<br />
until they are able to eat on<br />
their own.<br />
Once you see mama come<br />
back to her litter, you can<br />
make it easy for her to find<br />
food! Set up some food<br />
and water far enough<br />
away from her nest<br />
so it does not attract<br />
predators, but she can<br />
still eat and get back<br />
to her kittens quickly.<br />
Easy, right?<br />
round-the-clock care and animal shelters may not have<br />
enough staff or fosters to care for these tiny newborn kittens.<br />
The kittens’ best chance for survival is to stay with their<br />
mother. Mama’s milk has antibodies that help them to grow<br />
and get strong. Mama also teaches her kittens important<br />
survival skills.<br />
Once the kittens are 2 pounds or 2 months old, they are old<br />
enough for vaccines and spay/neuter, and can then go into<br />
an adoption program like the one at Peggy Adams.<br />
WHEN YOU SEE KITTENS,<br />
ask yourself these questions:<br />
• Where is mama?<br />
• Can I see her?<br />
Yes? – Leave food and water at a distance.<br />
No? – Watch for 24 hours and, if needed,<br />
reach out to your local animal shelter for advice.<br />
• What if I need more information?<br />
please visit<br />
PeggyAdams.org/Found-Kitten-Resources<br />
After 24 hours, if you<br />
notice that mama hasn’t<br />
come back to her kittens,<br />
this is when they MAY<br />
need human intervention.<br />
Please know that neonate<br />
(newborn) kittens require<br />
INTERESTED IN HELPING TO FOSTER NEWBORN KITTENS?<br />
Please visit PeggyAdams.org/Foster or email us at Foster@PeggyAdams.org<br />
4 <strong>Shaggy</strong> <strong>Sheet</strong> | Spring 2023
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