4 days Ago
It’s a familiar scene this time of year: a tiny kitten or even a whole litter spotted under a bush, beside a building or on a porch. Your heart skips a beat, your instinct kicks in, and you scoop them up with visions of saving their lives. But the surprising truth is sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is nothing – at least, not right away.
Every spring and summer, animal shelters across the country brace for what's known as “kitten season,” a flood of births from unaltered community cats. Locally, our shelter and the Aiken County Animal Shelter quickly become overwhelmed with kittens – many of whom are just days old and far too young to be without their mother. If you find kittens, take a step back.
Observe. Are they clean, warm and sleeping soundly? That usually means mom is nearby. She may have left temporarily to hunt for food, and she’ll likely return soon.
Unless the kittens are in immediate danger (like near a road or exposed to extreme weather), leave them be and watch from a distance – ideally for several hours. A mother cat’s milk provides not only nutrition but also crucial antibodies to protect kittens from illness. No matter how loving and well-meaning we humans are, we simply can’t replicate the power of a mama cat.
If you’ve observed the area for at least several hours and there’s no sign of a mother cat, it may be time to step in. First, assess the kittens’ condition. Are they lethargic, dirty, crying or cold? If so, they need help sooner rather than later.
At this point, consider whether you can foster the kittens yourself. It’s not as scary as it sounds! Both the SPCA Albrecht Center and Aiken County Animal Shelter offer “kitten kits” with supplies and instructions based on their age. We also provide guidance to help you determine how old the kittens are and what kind of care they need – from bottle-feeding to litter box training.
The SPCA Albrecht Center even provides a private Facebook group for kitten fosters and a dedicated phone number for questions or help. While it’s tempting to drop them off at your local shelter and feel like you’ve done your part, here’s the thing: shelters, especially during kitten season, are often already bursting at the seams. Young kittens, especially those under 8 weeks, are vulnerable to illness in a crowded shelter environment and require round-the-clock care that most shelters aren’t equipped to provide.
By fostering, even temporarily, you give these kittens their best shot. When they’re healthy, over two pounds, and old enough to be spayed or neutered, the SPCA Albrecht Center or Aiken County Animal Shelter can help with the next steps – whether that’s adopting them out or bringing them into the shelter when space is available. Still unsure? No problem.
If you find kittens within the City of Aiken, call the SPCA Albrecht Center at 803-648-6863. If they’re found outside city limits, call Aiken County Animal Shelter at 803-642-1537. Want to go a step further? Become a kitten foster.
It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do during kitten season. Everything you need, including kitten milk, bottles, heating pads and more are provided at no cost – just add your heart and your time. Apply at www.
LetLoveLive.org/foster . Not ready to foster? Donations help, too – especially with purchasing formula, litter, and medical supplies.
Visit www.LetLoveLive.org/donate to make a one-time or monthly gift.
While it’s heartwarming to save kittens, prevention is even better. Spaying and neutering community cats prevents countless litters from being born without a safe place to go. Both the SPCA Albrecht Center and Aiken County Animal Shelter offer TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs to help manage the outdoor cat population.
At the SPCA, low-cost spay/neuter services are also available for owned pets – visit SPCAVetCare.org for details and pricing. The Aiken County Shelter provides free TNR spay/neuter services for feral, stray, and community cats every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning.
Cats must weigh at least four pounds and arrive in a humane cat trap, which can be signed out from the shelter. After surgery, the person who brought the cat in is responsible for returning it to its outdoor home. This approach helps reduce overpopulation and keeps more cats out of shelters.
Call 803-642-1537 for more information. Saving kittens isn’t something that one person or even one animal shelter can do alone – it requires a community effort. Whether you foster, donate, spay/neuter, or simply wait and observe before jumping in, your actions have an impact.
This kitten season, let’s work together to ensure every kitten has the best possible chance – not just at survival, but at a healthy, happy life..
