Kittens who are 1 day to 4 weeks old, with or without mom
Unable to regulate their own body temperature until at least 3 weeks of age
Need round-the-clock care: feeding and pottying every 2-3 hours
Lots and lots of sleeping, no real “playtime” yet
Very fragile and highly susceptible to illness
Orphaned neonatal kittens are at a huge disadvantage; it’s not uncommon for them to pass away due to lack of maternal antibodies and underdeveloped organ systems
Why do neonatal kittens need foster care?
They require round-the-clock care and we are unable to staff the building 24/7
Despite thorough cleaning protocols and our best efforts, risk of disease transmission is higher in-shelter
Babies need socialization and nurturing
How do foster parents help a litter of neonates with a mom?
Provide an environment that is as quiet and stress-free as possible
Simply let mom do what she does best; support mom and keep her comfortable
Make sure babies are getting proper care from mom; fosters may need to provide supplemental feeding
Monitor kittens’ weights to ensure proper growth; watch for signs of illness
