Go To Adoption Clinics In Your Area
Your local pet stores are not just places where you can shop for pet supplies. You can also adopt cats or kittens through their free adoption program.
You should check out Petco, PetSmart, and Pet Supplies Plus for the schedules of their adoption clinics, as they call it.
This initiative helps give homeless cats a new chance at building a normal life with a loving family. It is also very convenient since you wont have to search for the closest shelter or rescue.
Kittens Younger Than 8 Weeks With Their Mother
Leave Them Be! Kittens who are healthy and thriving with their mother outdoors do not need to be rescued.
Remember: Mother knows best. You cannot replace a mother cats instinctive care. Plus, neonatal kittens need round-the-clock care to survivewhich is challenging for humans to provide. These kittens are unweaned, meaning they still rely on their mothers milk.
Post Some Kitten Wanted Fliers In Your Locality
Were used to seeing fliers for missing cats but who says you cant post some for finding a free cat to adopt?
Make the most of the bulletin boards by pinning your notice in public places like your vets office, grocery stores, gyms, bus stops, and even laundry shops.
Bring your fliers with you at all times so you can place them in a suitable location. A piece of paper can go a long way.
Recommended Reading: Can You Buy Cat Dewormer Over The Counter
Dont Let Kittens Outside
until theyve received all preventive vaccinations, microchip identification and parasite treatments and you have a safe outdoor sanctuary. Its nearly impossible to kitten proof the great outdoors. Instead, leash-train your kitten to keep her safe and/or make the indoors so interesting with toys, cat trees, and your love that the kitten never misses going out.
When Are Baby Kittens Old Enough To Be Adopted
My children found six baby kittens in our front bushes today. Their eyes are open, but I’m not sure where their mom is. We cannot keep them all Are they old enough yet to adopt out?
Hi, the rule if thumb is 9 – 10 weeks before adopting kittens and puppies. Your local shelter will spay / neuter, license, first round shots and microchip kittens for the low fee of 20.00. Defenders of Animals may take them for free. They are a no kill shelter and will try to find them a forever home. This is a crucial time for the kittens. The more they are handled and pet, the better. Otherwise, they will become timid and unsure of human touch. My daughter and I found 5 ferral kittens and their momma cat on our side porch a few years back. Momma cat left to have a second litter. By then the kittens began trusting us and played shortly after. If you wish to reach out to me directly, dont hesitate.
I have volunteered at my local shelter as a foster caretaker of baby kittens for close to 7 years. The kittens need to weigh 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. to be adopted. However, if you need to place them as soon as possible, as long as they can eat regular cat food they should be fine. I usually start them on the “Pate” type of food since it doesn’t have large pieces. Good luck and if you have other questions or concerns,let me know I may be able to help. My name is Chris
Recommended Reading: Is Brown Rice Good For Cats
Timeline For Weaning Kittens
Mother cats will typically start to wean their kittens off their milk at one month of age. This does not mean that this is the time that the kittens can go home, though. The next month of life is still full of essentials for a growing kitten, even if it isn’t consuming its mother’s milkall of the time.
The weaning process usually continues for about another month until the kittens are fully weaned between eight and 10 weeks of age. During this time, the kittens will still occasionally nurse on their mother but they will also start to eat liquid kitten food. The liquid kitten food should gradually get thicker until it is a watered-down canned kitten food or a moistened kitten kibble. Over the four to six week weaning period, the kitten will consume less and less milk from its mother. Getting a kitten used to eating dry food can take some time, so it should not be forced or rushed.
What If The Mother Cat Is Not Around
If the mother cat perhaps did not survive the birth, was not healthy enough to care for kittens, got hit by a car, or if a litter of kittens was abandoned at a shelter, the kittens can still get the necessary nutrition they need and lead a healthy life with the help of humans. Some shelters will use a foster lactating cat to both nurse the kittens and socialize them or bottle-feed the kittens with kitten milk replacement formula.
Bottle-fed kittens do not receive the same care from humans as they would from a cat though. Cats teach their young important skills that we cannot duplicate as humans. Bottle-fed kittens are a huge time commitment, so if you are adopting a young bottle-fed kitten who has no mother cat, be prepared to feed, stimulate them to potty and clean them often.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Eyeliner Cat Eye
Health Issues That Come With Adopting Kittens
Because the kittens were strays before we adopted them, they had fleas. After a flea treatment they were gone, but Ramen got a tapeworm from one of the fleas and had to be treated. If you’re planning on adopting kittens, know that they will likely have some sort of health issue that needs to be addressed and you will need to budget in the price of going to a vet.
What To Feed Kittens
Growing kitties need a healthy diet, so stock up on a brand-name kitten or cat food. If youre not sure which type to pick, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Kittens also go crazy for cat treats but dont go overboard since treats can contain a lot of fat and sugar. You can also offer your kitten healthy pet-safe fruits and veggies. Be sure to cut them up into small bits or cook them until theyre soft to help avoid choking.
Don’t Miss: How To Tell What Animal Killed My Cat
How To Get Kittens For Free In Your Area
Regardless of where you live, there are many ways for you to get a free kitten or cat. Although not always guaranteed, your chances of successfully taking home a new companion are never zero.
The ways listed below are realistic enough to actually let you have the pet of your dreams without having to spend a single dime:
Q& a: Why Won’t My Hamster Let Me Hold Him
After they’ve been given a day or two to adjust, spend a little time with them. This can be done by simply sitting near where you keep them and gently petting them if they allow you to come close. Luring them out with some food on your finger also occasionally works.
Play is very important for kittens as they do need exercise. Kittens will likely play with each other, but providing them with some small toys will also help encourage play. Toys are important because they will help keep the kittens from trying to bite you while playing.
Introducing the kittens to other animals in your home should not happen until they are comfortable in the area you keep them, and even then, they should always be supervised.
It may seem impossible to socialize kittens when you first bring home a feisty bunch, but with patience, you will have them purring in no time!
These are my feisty fosters Rick and Lucy
You May Like: What Does A Cat Licking You Mean
Two Kittens Will Never Be Lonely
Unfortunately, none of us can be home with our cats 24/7. Many people wonder what their cats do when they leave the house, and if they become bored or lonely.
Depending on the cats personality, they might feel these things. Some cats even develop which, in extreme cases, can negatively impact a cats entire life.
Having another pet in the household decreases the risk of kitten separation anxiety, though, likely because theyre never truly alone.
A second kitten is a purrfect match for this situation, as it also gives your kitten someone to play and socialize with while youre away!
Pros Of Getting A Free Kitten
Lets start with the advantages. Here are some benefits of getting a free kitten:
1. You can save a lot of money
Since you dont have to spend a single cent, you can save thousands of dollars usually spent buying a newborn kitten from a breeder.
You also dont need to pay for adoption fees required by shelters or rescues. Its the most practical option.
2. You can allot more budget on cat supplies
With the money you saved, you can focus on purchasing high-quality items for your cats convenience. These include carriers, beddings, toys, cat trees, scratching posts, and grooming essentials.
You can also invest in a good pet insurance policy to ensure your cats health for the years to come.
3. You dont have to wait for long approval periods
Adopting a cat from a rescue usually takes two weeks or more since they are run by volunteers. When you get a free kitten from a friend or other sources, you dont have to deal with these lengthy processing times.
You can instantly get your kitten and take it home. You can also save yourself from interviews, home visits, and tedious evaluations.
4. You can have an instant companion
When adopting a free kitty, you dont need to be approved by rescue volunteers or be waitlisted by a breeder.
Once you settle the meetup schedule with the cat owner, you can take your pet home instantly.
Typically, this is also a paperwork-free transaction so you wont have to worry about time-consuming contract signing, settling of payment, etc.
Recommended Reading: How Is A Cat Scan Performed
Will A Mother Cat Abandon Her Kittens If You Touch Them
A mother cat will not abandon her kittens when a human touches them. Your scent may be left on the kittens fur but this wont make them unrecognizable by their own mother.
They usually dont like their newborns being touched so they become instantly protective when humans approach them.
Thats why its best to leave them alone until the kittens are ready to come out of hiding and socialize.
Cons Of Getting A Free Kitten
As they say, there are two sides to every coin. So before you get a free kitten, consider the following disadvantages:
1. You can get a cat with several diseases
There is very little to no guarantee that the free kitten you will get is healthy. Its likely that the owners havent taken them to the vet or that their parents might have suffered from a grave illness.
Stray cats, especially, may have acquired infections, injuries, and life-threatening diseases.
2. You might end up spending more money on medical needs
If you adopt a free kitten, you dont have the advantage of getting a cat with complete vaccinations and preventive medications. You will also need to pay for neutering or spaying services out of your own pocket.
If they have any form of sickness as Ive mentioned, you need to spend money on treatment. As these expenses add up, you may find that the money you spent is almost equal to the price of a kitten from a breeder.
3. You might need to deal with a feral cat
Aside from medical concerns, you also need to observe the cats behavior. For instance, if you adopt a feral cat, you may have trouble dealing with aggressiveness.
Because they are not used to humans, they have a tendency to hiss, claw, or even bite when approached. You need to be very patient in taming them.
4. You can get scammed by people on the internet
Since anyone can post anything online, you cant be sure that the free kitten ad you see on Facebook or Instagram isnt a scam.
Don’t Miss: What Do Cats Like To Sleep On
Nerdiest Cat Names Ever
Nerdy monikers make for some funny cat names. Consider these choices when naming your nerdy cat! Theres no denying it. Nerdiness is very in. So why not consider some funny cat names to reflect your cats and your own inner nerd? Whether you and your cat are just a little bit nerdy or totally off the deep end,
When Is The Right Age To Adopt A Kitten
Kittens shouldnt be rehomed until theyre at least eight weeks old . The mother-kitten relationship is vital to a kittens development and its partly thanks to their mum that kittens grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults.
Although kittens start eating solids at four to five weeks, theyre still dependent on their mother for food and warmth until theyre around eight weeks old. Their mum will still also be helping them toilet not only stimulating their motions through licking but also showing them how to do it on their own. Kittens learn from their littermates too growing up around their brothers and sisters develops their social skills. Without it they can grow up fearful, skittish or even aggressive.
If you plan on getting a kitten, always make sure you know exactly how old it is and how long it spent with its mum and siblings.
Recommended Reading: Can I Get My Cat Neutered For Free
Kittens 8 Weeks Old And Older
Kittens of this age are weaned from their mother, meaning they dont rely on her milk and are eating on their own. So, dont hesitate: Take them to a veterinary clinic for spay or neuter!
Spaying or neutering kittens when they are 8 weeks old and at least 2 pounds is ideal for their health and wellbeing. You can learn more at alleycat.org/2Months2Pounds.
If the kittens mother is with them, spay her at the same time. This is critical so she does not become pregnant again. We have tips for trapping a mother cat and kittens for a Trap-Neuter-Return program at alleycat.org/TNRKittens.
As you are preparing to spay or neuter the kittens and/or mother cat, you have a choice:
Return the kittens outdoors.Returning kittens to their outdoor homes as part of a TNR program is 100 percent okay! Like all cats, they will thrive. Be sure they are eartipped during their spay or neuter appointment. If a mother cat is not socialized, meaning friendly and accustomed to people, return her to her outdoor home as part of TNR as well.
Foster and adopt the kittens. If you have the means, you can foster the kittens for adoption, or adopt them yourself. You can also do the same for a mother cat who is socialized. We have a guide to find the perfect adoptive home atalleycat.org/AdoptionTips.
How Do Cats Come Into Season
Cats can become sexually mature from just four months old which is why it is so important to get cats neutered at this age, to prevent them from becoming pregnant with unwanted litters. From four months, cats will experience heat cycles with active signs such as restlessness and calling, lasting a couple of days and reoccurring every few weeks during the breeding season.
A cat coming into season can vary depending on the region and the climate of that given year. Cats coming into heat is often due to the increased daylight hours of the spring and summer. This signals warmer weather thus more availability of food for the mother to provide for herself and her kittens.
Females in season will seek out a mate during this period, with unneutered males already on the search. If there is more than one male in the vicinity, the female can mate more than once in a day. This gives her a higher chance of reproductive success and can mean her litter has several different fathers.
A cats short reproduction cycle, with pregnancy only lasting for nine weeks, and females coming back into season just six weeks after giving birth, means there is the potential for a vast number of kittens being born in a brief period. And, as cats can have litters of up to nine kittens at one time , the number of cats and kittens needing homes can reach crisis levels in the summer months.
Also Check: Why Does My Cat Bring Me Socks
Cat Pregnancy And Lactation
Cats can get pregnant before they are a year of age and are pregnant for about two months. Lactation will begin when they are about to give birth. Cats usually have eight teats and they will all produce milk. Cats that are not pregnant, and sometimes even spayed, can produce milk and this is called a false or pseudopregnancy. Hormones in a cats body control this production of unnecessary milk. If your cat is not pregnant but is lactating, do not allow it to pretend to nurse items such as toys or socks, as this will prolong the pseudopregnancy.
Pregnant cats will experience swelling to their teats about halfway through pregnancy but they will not begin to lactate until a few days before they give birth. Their appetite will increase during pregnancy to help provide the extra nutrition that their bodies need to produce milk. Once they give birth, the kittens will need to receive the first milk that the mother cat produces called colostrum. Colostrum is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help support the kittens’ immature immune systems.
How Much To Feed A Kitten
You should talk to your veterinarian about your particular kittens nutritional requirements. Some cat parents prefer to keep dry food out for their felines to nosh on whenever they like, while others prefer to give meals at specific times. For set meal times, you can follow these guidelines:
- Little kittens 6 to 12 weeks old: 4 meals a day
- Older kittens 3 to 6 months old: 3 meals a day
- Adult cats: 2 meals a day around 8 hours apart
Any canned food leftover in your cats bowl should be thrown out after about 30 minutes. Also, make sure your kitten has plenty of fresh water on hand around the clock.
If you have a kitten who is snubbing the food bowl or not eating enough, you can ask your veterinarian for tips on managing the situation. They may suggest offering your finicky friend chicken or turkey baby food for a little while or adding warm water to the kitten food.
Keep in mind that loss of appetite can indicate an illness. Cats and kittens may mask or hide symptoms, so its good to be on the lookout for this and other signs your cat is sick. Contact your veterinarian if you notice anything concerning.
Don’t Miss: Are Umbrella Plants Toxic To Cats