Everyone loves kittens. They are adorable, innocent, snuggly and COMPLETELY dependent on whomever is caring for them. In a perfect world, that would be their mother- ideally in a safe, warm home, with a plan to spay and neuter everyone when old enough. 

 

Sadly, this is not the reality. As the cost of housing, food, and veterinary care continues to rise, people are forced into impossible situations. Cats are left behind when families move, or left unaltered because sterilization is simply out of reach. Beloved pets have unwanted litters, adding even more strain. Sometimes, the only option someone feels they have is to place kittens in a box outside and hope that someone kind will find them.

 

Such is the case of the little family below. We don’t know their backstory or how this could have been prevented. We only know that these kittens were just days old when they were found in a plastic storage bin outside someone’s home. Thankfully, their mom was with them. Because someone chose to care, they were brought to safety, placed in foster care, and given a chance to survive. Today, they are thriving.

One of our most recent hot-spots in the city has been keeping us busy with tons of cats in less than desirable locations. From underpasses to parks to loading docks, our trappers have seen it all. 

 

This particular rescue was a chain reaction- one that only worked because the right people were in place at the right time. An employee discovered two tiny kittens (and heartbreakingly, their deceased sibling) in the loading area behind their workplace. She reached out to a nearby veterinary hospital- where, by chance, an Alley Cat Project volunteer works.That volunteer sent out an S.O.S., and within the hour, one of our dedicated bottle feeders was on the way to pick them up.

This is what rescue looks like. It’s fast, it’s unpredictable, and it depends entirely on having the resources and people ready to act at a moment’s notice.

These kittens are safe today because a network of compassionate humans stepped in.

Each year, we respond to dozens of frantic callers who have found neonate kittens. Their first instinct is often to bring the kittens inside to keep them safe. While that can be necessary in certain situations, if the kittens are not in immediate danger, the best thing to do is to leave them where they are and monitor from a distance to see if mom returns. 

 

Caring for neonates is incredibly difficult. These kittens require constant supervision, feeding every 2 hours, help regulating their body temperature and protection from illness. Mom watches them, feeds them, keeps them warm and boosts their immune system with her milk!

 

We’ve created a guide to help you feel confident if you ever find kittens. No matter the situation, all paths can lead to Alley Cat Project- and together, we can give the tiniest lives the best chance at a bright future.

Give BIG is tomorrow!!

You can help support even more kittens by making a tax-deductible donation at the link below.

We're seeking compassionate, patient foster homes for the constant influx of cats & kittens entering our care. We support fosters with food and cover medical expenses for cats while in care. If you've got a quiet space and a little spare time, join our mission! Apply at the “volunteer” link below 

Thank you for helping us save Seattle cats and kittens.