The weather is warming up, and we know what that means… kitten season!
Wait… kittens have seasons?
Well, kind of.
Kitten season is what we call the time of year when most kittens are born, typically from early spring through late fall. As the weather warms up and days get longer, unspayed cats begin having litters, and shelters see a huge increase in kittens coming through their doors.
And by huge…we mean it! A single unspayed cat can have up to five litters per year, with an average of 4–6 kittens each time. Factor in that kittens can start reproducing as young as four months old and you’ve got a recipe for a lot of cats.
Why is kitten season a big deal?
Kitten season puts a lot of pressure on animal shelters. Most kittens who come in are too young to be adopted right away. They need a safe place and time to grow as well as consistent medical care, food, and enrichment to develop into healthy, adoptable cats.
That’s where our foster program steps in, and people like you make a huge difference.
Without foster homes, shelters would run out of space quickly (in the summer we often have over 100 animals in foster at any given time). On top of that, young kittens in a shelter environment are at much higher risk for disease and stress.
Foster homes don’t just help the kittens they take in; they make space for the next kittens who need help, too.
So…what should you do if you find kittens?
We know the instinct is to scoop them up and bring them straight to the shelter. It comes from a good place. But in many cases, that’s actually not the best first step.
The most important first step is this: Call us for advice before doing anything at (828) 250-6430.
If the kittens look clean, quiet, and are snuggled together, their mom is likely nearby and caring for them. Staying with mom is their best chance at staying healthy and growing strong. In these cases, the best thing you can do is leave them where they are and monitor from a distance.
We know leaving vulnerable kittens alone can feel uncomfortable, but it often gives them the best outcome. And you won’t be doing it alone; we’ll walk you through it. Our team can help you figure out how old the kittens are, whether mom is likely coming back, and what the best next step is for your specific situation.
If the kittens appear sick, injured, or are in immediate danger, contact Asheville Animal Services or Buncombe County Animal Control for assistance. If you’re outside of Buncombe County, we recommend reaching out to your local shelter or animal services for support.
You can find more details, including why we often recommend waiting and monitoring, on our found kitten resource page.
What if you find kittens after hours?
Again, if the kittens appear healthy, the best thing to do is leave them where they are! You can leave a ring of flour around the kittens and check for Mom’s pawprints in the flour the next morning.
Consult our resources on our found kitten page to determine next steps. Call the Pet Help Center at (828) 250-6430 once we are open to get further help.
If a kitten is cold, unresponsive, very thin, or appears unhealthy, DO NOT feed them. They will need medical care ASAP. Please bring them to Buncombe County Animal Shelter or your regular veterinarian if it is after hours.
We’ll be sharing more all season long!
Throughout May, we’ll be sharing more about kitten season, including what to do at different ages, common myths, and how you can help make a difference. Follow along to see stories of kittens and their amazing caregivers, and we’ll also be sharing our wish lists if you want to contribute to our foster animals from afar!
