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(April 10, 2023)
More than 20 vulnerable kittens and puppies are already in the Houston SPCA’s neonatal nursery staying warm and being gently hand-fed every few hours. Every spring, we care for hundreds of bottle babies separated from their mothers. The lifesaving nursery is critical for these babies until they are stable enough to go into foster care before they are prepared for adoption which includes spay or neuter surgery, up-to-date vaccinations, and a microchip.
How to help our most vulnerable nursery pets
- DONATE to Houston SPCA as we are solely funded by donations.
- SHOWER our nursery with the gift of kitten and puppy formula or puppy pads. Shop on Amazon or Chewy.
- FOSTER to help us raise adorable kittens and puppies until they are ready for adoption!
- VOLUNTEER to support our staff in the nursery!
Nursery staff and volunteers work 17 hours a day to feed each baby every few hours. In 2022, over 400 neonatal kittens came through our nursery during the kitten season. With no expectation of that number decreasing this year, our nursery program needs all the donor support possible.
How do I tell if a litter of kittens is orphaned?
To help our resources last, we only want to take in litters that are in need of immediate care. If you come across a litter of kittens in your neighborhood, don’t swoop in right away. Watch and observe first. Here’s how to tell if you need to step in and help.
- Mom is absent and has yet to return after several hours.
- The babies are very young. They have closed eyes, folded ears, and are not walking around freely.
- The babies are injured, malnourished, or covered in ants/insects.
If you observe the following, it’s ok to leave the litter alone for the time being. You can wait until they’re old enough for spay/neuter surgery (around 2 pounds or 8 weeks of age) and move forward with helping them find new homes.
- They walk and play like adult cats and appear healthy. Older kittens that don’t require bottle feeding aren’t in immediate danger.
- Mom is either with the kittens or returns within a few hours.
When in doubt, call us at 713-869-7722 for further assistance.
The Houston SPCA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that operates solely on donations. We are not affiliated with any other animal welfare organization, locally or nationally.
