What To Do If You Find Kittens Outdoors In Minnesota

With the changing weather, kitten season is arriving, and while people across Minnesota want to help, many don’t realize that sometimes the best help isn’t what we think it is.

Ruff Start Rescue of Princeton has put together a helpful flyer of what to do should you run across kittens this year.

WHAT'S THAT SOUND?

You'll hear tiny mews in garages, barns, or other outbuildings. Suddenly, you see a flash of fur under a deck. Next thing you know, you stumble across a litter of kittens and, unsure of what to do, you start handling them and bringing them into the house.

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SAVING KITTENS DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN PICKING THEM UP RIGHT AWAY

Organizations like Ruff Start Rescue are reminding people that saving kittens doesn’t always mean picking them up right away.

If you find a litter of kittens outside, the first instinct might be to bring them indoors. But in many cases, mom is nearby. She may be out searching for food and will return. Taking kittens too soon can actually lower their chances of survival.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND A KITTEN...OR MANY KITTENS

The better move is to pause and watch from a distance. Be a kitty investigator, and follow these guidelines if at all possible. The poster made available through Ruff Start Rescue's post can really give you some great guidelines about the steps you should take in helping out the kittens you have found.

MOTHER KNOWS BEST - MOST OF THE TIME

If the kittens appear clean, quiet, and tucked together, there’s a good chance they are being cared for. Typically, a Momma cat knows best in those early weeks, and keeping families together gives her kittens their strongest start.

But that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. Helping the Momma cat and kitten population starts long before you ever find a litter.

THE BEST WAY TO CONTROL THE CAT POPULATION IS TO SPAY OR NEUTER

Spaying and neutering pets is still the single most important step. Fostering is another powerful way to help, giving kittens a safe place to grow until they’re ready for adoption. Even spreading the word can make a difference, especially during the busiest months of the year.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND INJURED, SICK OR LOST KITTENS

If you do find kittens that appear sick, injured, or truly abandoned, that’s when stepping in matters the most.

This time of year can feel overwhelming for rescues, shelters, and animal lovers alike. But with a little knowledge and a lot of heart, everyday people can make a real impact.