Kitten Season
Kitten Season Is Here
Every spring and summer, kittens are born throughout Santa Maria and the surrounding area. Some are healthy and safely being cared for by their mother. Others are orphaned, injured, sick, exposed to extreme weather, or in immediate danger.
Before moving kittens, pause and assess the situation. A mother cat may be nearby searching for food or waiting for people to leave.
I Found Kittens. What Should I Do?
1. Look before you move them
Watch quietly from a distance. If the kittens are warm, clean, quiet, sleeping, and grouped together, their mother may be caring for them. Keep people and pets away and give her time to return.
2. Check for immediate danger
Move kittens only when they are exposed to traffic, flooding, predators, extreme heat or cold, active construction, or another immediate threat.
3. Watch for the mother
When conditions are safe, observe for several hours from far enough away that the mother feels comfortable returning. Young kittens usually have the best chance of survival with their mother.
4. Request help when needed
If the mother does not return, the kittens appear sick or injured, or you cannot safely monitor them, send us the location, photos, estimated number of kittens, and a description of their condition.
Emergency Warning Signs
- Cold, limp, weak, or unresponsive
- Struggling to breathe
- Bleeding or visibly injured
- Covered in flies, maggots, or heavy fleas
- Crying continuously
- Unable to stand, crawl, or nurse
- Separated from their mother in dangerous weather
- In a roadway, flooded area, construction zone, or predator danger
Do not give cow's milk. Very young kittens require kitten milk replacer, warmth, and age-appropriate care.
How You Can Help During Kitten Season
Foster a litter
A spare bathroom, bedroom, or quiet indoor area can save lives. Foster homes may care for a mother with kittens, weaned kittens, bottle babies, or kittens recovering from illness.
Sponsor kitten care
Donations help provide formula, wet food, litter, flea treatment, vaccines, testing, spay or neuter surgery, carriers, and emergency veterinary care.
Donate supplies
Commonly needed items include kitten formula, nursing bottles, canned kitten food, heating pads, small litter boxes, non-clumping litter, carriers, towels, washable bedding, and cleaning supplies.
Transport or trap help
Volunteers may be needed to transport kittens, pick up supplies, help monitor a location, or assist with humane trapping when the mother cat also needs help.
Quick Kitten Age Guide
Birth to 2 weeks
Eyes are closed or just beginning to open. Kittens cannot regulate their body temperature and need constant warmth and frequent feeding.
3 to 4 weeks
Kittens begin walking, exploring, and learning to eat soft food. They still need warmth, close supervision, and frequent care.
5 to 6 weeks
Kittens become active and playful, eat independently, and begin using a litter box consistently.
7 to 8 weeks
Kittens are usually ready for vaccines, continued socialization, spay or neuter planning, and adoption preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I immediately take kittens away from their mother?
No. Unless they are in immediate danger or clearly sick or abandoned, kittens usually do best with their mother.
How long should I wait for the mother to return?
When the location is safe, observe from a distance for several hours. Your presence may prevent her from approaching.
Can I feed kittens cow's milk?
No. Cow's milk can cause serious digestive problems. Use kitten milk replacer only.
Can OnlyCats take every litter?
Our capacity depends on available foster homes, supplies, funding, and veterinary support. Complete information and clear photos help us determine the safest next step.
What if the mother cat is feral?
A feral mother can often continue safely caring for her kittens in a quiet foster or protected location. We may also plan for humane trapping and spay once the kittens are old enough.
One Foster Home Can Save an Entire Family
Kitten season places enormous pressure on local rescuers and shelters. Fostering, transporting, donating supplies, sponsoring veterinary care, or sharing a kitten's story can make the difference between life and death.