By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
Kitten season is peaking and the Fluvanna SPCA urges residents to look, wait, and learn because not all kittens need saving, and the wrong move could do more harm than good. Every spring and summer, thousands of kittens are brought to animal shelters by well-meaning residents who find them outdoors and assume they’ve been abandoned. Known as “kitten season,” a time of year when a critical mass of kittens are born, Fluvanna SPCA is bracing for an influx of these tiny, vulnerable animals, many of whom may not need rescuing at all. In most cases, found kittens have not been orphaned, and removing them can put their lives at risk.
According to Fluvanna SPCA, around 375 cats and kittens are brought to the shelter each year. The greatest influx of kitten intake typically occurs between May and September. What do you do if you happen upon a litter of tiny kittens outdoors? It’s natural to want to care for them yourself or take them to a shelter, however, both of those options based on their age and stage may place them in more danger.
“The best thing to do for healthy kittens is to leave them with their mother, who is often nearby,” said Shelter Director Rachel DiLuciano, “If the kittens appear well taken care of with full bellies, groomed and healthy, chances are mom is around and best to leave them where you found them. Kittens get the best care from their mother, and it is recommended they remain with them until they are eight weeks old or two pounds.“
Fluvanna SPCA offers guidance and three steps to take if Fluvanna residents find kittens outdoors:
1. Pause and observe: If the kittens appear healthy, clean, well-fed, and quiet, it’s likely their mother is still caring for them. Keep a distant eye on the area for several hours. If the mother returns, the best course of action is to leave the kittens where they are until they are approximately eight weeks old and can be safely adopted.
2. If the kittens are in immediate danger or in a hazardous spot (near traffic, predators, flooding, etc.), gently move them to a safer location nearby so the mother can still find and care for them.
3. If the mother does not return or the kittens appear sick, cold, thin, or injured and you’re certain the mother is not returning for the kittens, contact a veterinarian or Fluvanna SPCA for further instructions.
When kittens truly need intervention, whether due to illness, injury, or confirmed abandonment, community support becomes critical to their survival. Here is how the community can help in various situations.
Fosters are always needed and welcomed. Young, unweaned kittens require specialized around-the-clock care which is difficult to provide in the shelter. Fluvanna SPCA depends on the compassion and commitment of foster volunteers to help kittens grow healthy and strong in a safe home environment. Kitten fosters are provided with care kits with supplies, training, and ongoing support. Once kittens reach eight weeks or two pounds, the shelter coordinates spay/neuter and adoption.
The key to preventing future litters and the most effective way to reduce the number of homeless kittens is through spaying/neutering. Affordable services are available through Augusta SPCA or low-cost events. The Fluvanna SPCA has a list of low-cost services.
Education is key, spread the word, and share these lifesaving tips with neighbors, friends, and family to ensure more kittens found in Fluvanna receive the care they truly need, and fewer end up unnecessarily in the shelter.
Nationwide, progress is being made thanks in large part to community support. According to Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters, the number of cats killed in U.S. shelters decreased by 10 percent in 2024, marking the lowest point in recorded history. This improvement is due in large part to increased community support through adoptions and foster-based care.
For more information on helping community cats visit Alleycat.org.
To view adoptable kittens, apply to foster, adopt, or volunteer, visit FSPCA.org.
Follow Fluvanna SPCA on Facebook or Instagram for updates, volunteer opportunities, and educational tips throughout the kitten season.
