Spring is upon us, and soon we’re headlong into kitten season, the time every rescue enters with some trepidation and a prayer for strong mums and healthy kittens.
The Best Case Scenario
On average, a pregnant mum will have four kittens, with larger litters of six or seven becoming more common. Each kitten should stay with their mum for twelve weeks, being fed and taught how to be a cat, gaining the strength and confidence to go out on their own.
That would be the perfect scenario.
When Things Don’t Go to Plan
But what happens when the mum doesn’t make it through the birth, or is too poorly to feed her babies? That’s when it falls to us: two-hourly feeds through the day and night, toileting the kittens until they can manage it themselves, and keeping them warm so they don’t become ill. It’s a full-time job, and sadly one we’ve had to take on far too often.
Specialist kitten care is not for the faint-hearted. Kittens need their mums, and we sadly lose many of the hand-reared kittens we take in. Those who do make it often need additional medical support, meaning expensive vet visits and sometimes hospitalisation.
How We Keep Going
We try, because how can we not? We have trained team members who can take on the feeds. We have a brilliant working partnership with a vet practice that has a feline specialist. And most importantly, we have a strong team of volunteers and supporters who fundraise the money needed to keep going, leaving no little one in need.
We know times are tough for everyone. But when we all make a small difference, the change can be outstanding.
Meet Some of Our Little Fighters
Meet Toffee, the sole surviving kitten from a litter of three.
Meet Purdy, Fidget, Thunder, Wizzer and Rolly, found abandoned in a greenhouse.
Help Us Save More
Please join us and help save as many kittens as possible. Visit our news page for more stories, donate today or volunteer with us and be part of this vital work.