Found/ Surrendering Kitten(s)?

Darbster Kitty Policies: (If In Florida)

  1. We can place ads to get kittens adopted in New Hampshire and will facilitate transport
  2. We will assist with costs to fix and get health certificate to travel
  3. If the kitten is Palm Beach County, they must check it into Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue
  4. If the kitten is not Palm Beach County, the  person surrendering must find the location to get the kitten vetted and a health certificate – we can contribute up to $50 per kitten to assist if the person needs the help.
  5. Person surrendering  the kitten must commit to keeping the kitten until the DATE OF TRAVEL.   
  6. Person must be able to get the kittens to transport destination on the date of travel (typicall ACC or Justin Bartlett Animal Hospital)  
  7. Any kitten over 5 months does not go without lined up adopter
 

How Old Is The Kitten I Found?

Under 1 week: Eyes shut, ears flat to head, skin pinkish. Part of umbilical cord may be attached.
10-14 days: Eyes begin to open, ears flat. Smaller than your hand.
3 weeks: Eyes fully open – blue in color, ears erect, tooth buds visible. Walking, but wobbly.
4 weeks: Teeth erupt. Possible interest in canned food. Walking.
5-6 weeks: Eyes changing from blue to adult color. Playful – begin to pounce and leap.
8-9 weeks: Weigh about two pounds and really look like small cats

What Do I Do If There Is A Mother?

Kittens with friendly mother
If you determine that the mother is friendly, the best thing to do is to take her and the kittens indoors until the kittens are old enough to be weaned, sterilized and adopted.  The mother should then be spayed and either placed in an adoptive home or taken to the shelter.

Kittens with a feral mother
The mother needs to be trapped and spayed, but not now. Give us a call, and we will help you out with determining the best time to begin trapping the mother. Once the kittens are “weaned”( no sooner than 4 weeks), the kittens can be separated from the mother. You can then begin the socialization process with the kittens in your home.

What Do I Do If There Is No Mother?

Kittens without a mother
If kittens are very young (less than three weeks) and after four hours the mother has not returned,  she more than likely has abandoned her kittens. As tiny kittens easily become chilled and dehydrated, this would be the time we recommend to bring them into your home. 

Click on the link below for information on how to care for a neonatal kitten.
(Courtesy of Animal Allies)