Mary Allen
Who to Call for Stray Kittens
Finding stray kittens can be a common occurrence, especially in urban areas. While it may be tempting to take them in and care for them, it’s important to get them to a safe place where they can receive proper care and attention. There are several options for who to call when you encounter stray kittens, including animal shelters and rescue groups, municipal animal control agencies, local veterinarians, non-profit animal welfare organizations, community cat programs, humane societies, feral cat TNR programs, pet adoption agencies, neighborhood watch programs, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and emergency services for animal rescue.
Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups
Animal shelters and rescue groups are a great resource when it comes to dealing with stray kittens. They have the facilities, staff, and resources to care for these animals and find them loving homes. Many shelters and rescue groups also have foster programs, where volunteers can care for kittens until they are ready for adoption. If you find a stray kitten, contact your local animal shelter or rescue group to see if they can take it in.
Municipal Animal Control Agencies
Municipal animal control agencies are responsible for enforcing local animal control laws and regulations. They also provide services such as animal pickup, transportation, and impoundment. If you find a stray kitten, you can contact your local animal control agency to come and pick it up. They will take the kitten to a shelter or rescue group where it can receive proper care.
Local Veterinarians
Local veterinarians are also a good resource for dealing with stray kittens. They can provide medical care and advice on how to care for the kitten until it can be taken to a shelter or rescue group. Some veterinarians may also be able to take in the kitten themselves or refer you to a local rescue group.
Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organizations
Non-profit animal welfare organizations work to promote animal welfare and provide services such as rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption. They may also provide education and resources on how to care for stray animals. If you find a stray kitten, you can contact a non-profit animal welfare organization to see if they can take it in or provide advice on how to care for it.
Community Cat Programs
Community cat programs are designed to reduce the number of stray and feral cats in a community through trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. These programs trap feral cats, spay or neuter them, and then return them to their original location. If you find a stray kitten in a community with a TNR program, you can contact the program to see if they can take it in or provide advice on how to care for it.
Humane Societies
Humane societies are similar to animal shelters and rescue groups, but they may also provide other services such as animal cruelty investigations and advocacy. If you find a stray kitten, you can contact your local humane society to see if they can take it in.
Feral Cat TNR Programs
As mentioned earlier, feral cat TNR programs are designed to reduce the number of stray and feral cats in a community. If you find a stray kitten in a community with a TNR program, you can contact the program to see if they can take it in or provide advice on how to care for it.
Pet Adoption Agencies
Pet adoption agencies work to place animals in loving homes. If you find a stray kitten, you can contact a pet adoption agency to see if they can take it in and find it a permanent home.
Neighborhood Watch Programs
Neighborhood watch programs can be a useful resource for dealing with stray kittens. They can help locate the owner of the kitten or provide advice on how to care for it until it can be taken to a shelter or rescue group.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
Wildlife rehabilitation centers specialize in the care and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned wildlife. While they may not typically deal with domestic animals like stray kittens, they may be able to provide advice or refer you to a local shelter or rescue group.
Emergency Services for Animal Rescue
In cases of emergency, such as a kitten trapped in a storm drain or stuck in a tree, you can contact emergency services for animal rescue. These services have the equipment and expertise to safely rescue the kitten and take it to a shelter or rescue group for proper care.