COUNTYWIDE — Kitten season is here and we know how hard it is to walk away from tiny, vulnerable kittens. Your instinct is to help and that comes from a good place.
But here’s something many people don’t realize: most kittens that appear to be “abandoned” are not. Mom is often nearby, watching and waiting or out hunting for food.
Kittens should remain with their mother and siblings for at least 8 weeks to give them the best chance to thrive. During this time, their mother teaches them important skills including grooming, litter box habits, social interaction and appropriate play behaviors. She also helps support their immune systems and overall development. Kittens removed too early can miss important developmental and behavioral milestones and their chance of thriving can decrease significantly. Feral kittens are handled a bit differently. While it is still beneficial for them to remain with their mother, feral kittens become harder to socialize as they get older. After approximately 8 weeks of age, they are often much more difficult to catch and socialize without the use of humane traps and experienced handling.
If you find kittens:
• Keep pets and people away from the area
• Do not move them unless they are in immediate danger
• If they are cold, injured or mom does not return, then it’s time to step in
If you live in Big Piney, Marbleton or Pinedale, please contact your local animal control officer if you find a stray. If you are in Sublette County outside of town limits, Sublette County Animal Control can respond and assist.
We are all trying to do our best during kitten season, but the reality is many cats are not spayed and continue to reproduce. A single intact female cat and her offspring can produce hundreds of kittens over their lifetimes, contributing to the overwhelming number of homeless cats each year. The most effective way to prevent this cycle is through spay and neuter.
The LOBA Memorial Spay and Neuter Program can help with the cost for Sublette County residents. It’s simple: visit your Sublette County vet’s office and ask for an application, complete it and return it to the clinic. The veterinary office will bill LOBA for a portion of the cost, making it easier to ensure your pets and our community cats don’t contribute to the next wave of kittens.
