What To Do If You Find A Litter Of Cats On The Street?
Lactation puppies are the most vulnerable animals we can find on our streets. However, knowing how to act in time when finding a litter of orphaned kittens will allow them to survive and grow into very affectionate, domesticated adults.
the breeding seasons
Although cats can get pregnant any time of year, the main periods of heat occur in early spring and autumn. Of these two periods, the one that produces the most births is, without a doubt, the first trimester of the year.
Thus, between March and May, hundreds of kittens are born on the streets of cities. Some initiatives, such as the CES method (capture, sterilization and release), have tried to stop the reproduction of stray cats. However, while these actions do not reach more places and the abandonment of animals does not end, births continue to happen.
It’s important to know what to do when you encounter a litter of cats on the street, but prevention is even more crucial. So, sterilize your cat, even if it’s homegrown. If he goes out for a walk or gets lost for a few hours, he may come across another animal by surprise.
To prevent this situation it is also possible to collaborate economically or as a volunteer in animal protectors who are implementing CES methods. Another option is to submit projects of this type to your city or state government.
Wait for the mother of the cat litter
First of all, watch the kittens for two or three hours. The mother cat tends to take the puppies away a few times a day to hunt and do their necessities. Stay hidden or a few meters away, because if you are to the side, the mother will not dare to be visible.
When kittens are puppies, they need to feed every three or four hours. Therefore, the mother of the animals doesn’t usually take longer than that to come back. Thus, if after these hours the female does not return and, especially, if the offspring start calling her, we can conclude that they are orphans. They will need your help to get out of this situation.
Despite this, if it is evident that the puppies are abandoned (they can appear in cardboard boxes with blankets), don’t wait for the cat. There are insensitive people who abandon whole newborn litters and separate them from their mother.
How to take care of kittens at home
After collecting a litter of stray cats, the first step is to provide warmth. When they are young, they cannot regulate their body temperature and are likely to feel cold. Before giving them food for the first time, put them in a crib with blankets and a bag of hot water.
Lactating cats do not need much attention. When they have few tips or weeks to live, they don’t walk or play. So all you need to do is give the kittens a bottle of special milk (no cow’s milk!), help them clean up, and provide a warm place to sleep.
Be sure to weigh them at least once a day to make sure they are getting fatter and growing. Carefully monitor the puppies’ appetite and their feces: these are great indicators of their health.
After taking care of them for some time, you should visit a veterinarian. In addition to ensuring that they are safe, the professional will be able to help you determine their exact age, deworm them and answer all your questions.
Contact a protective association
Another option is to contact a protective association. These organizations are used to raising stray kittens. In some cases, they can help you get milk, pay the vet, or any other expense incurred by the puppies.
Also, when they start eating solid foods and are ready to be independent cats, the protectors can help with adoption. This way, you can be sure that the little animals will find a family and will not be abandoned again.
The litters of orphaned cats on the streets are unable to survive without your help. In exchange for your attention for a few weeks, they will become independent felines and prepared to be happy for the rest of their lives with a permanent family.
