In most states, kitten season begins around spring and lasts through early winter. Cats start reproducing and continue to have several litters during this time period. During this time, Athens-Clarke County Animal Services experiences a massive influx of intakes of kittens and mother cats. Underage kittens without their mothers are at high-risk being brought into shelters due to the vulnerability of their health.

Before jumping to the rescue, please considering the following recommendations:

• Quietly observe from a safe distance to determine if the mother is present.
• If the kittens are clean and sleeping in a heap, mom is most likely out looking for something to eat and will be back to care for them.
• If you sense the kittens are in immediate danger, move them to a safe area nearby where the mother can still find them.
• Place them in a sheltered area, away from the direct sun, rain or traffic and continue to watch for the mother.
• If you have observed the kittens for 24 hours and the mother has not returned, then pick them up, and care for them.

Be aware that sometimes, no matter what you do, some neonatal kittens do not survive and can fade very fast. You can only try to be the best surrogate guardian possible and hope for the best.

Athens-Clarke County Animal Services is an open-admission shelter. That means we do not turn any animal away. However, kittens less than eight weeks old are at extremely high risk being brought into shelters. Due to large amount of animals housed at the animal shelter, underage kittens are more susceptible to diseases that can spread quickly and affect these vulnerable animals heavily, and often fatally. Underage kittens would be in need of foster care with constant monitoring and feedings. Animal Services can never guarantee that a pet will be fostered or adopted from the shelter, although every effort is made.

Due to the vulnerability of kittens in a shelter environment, Athens-Clarke County Animal Services has asked citizens in the community to help through the Wait Until 8 program. Through this program, Athens-Clarke County will provide some resources to care for the orphaned kittens until they are at an age, safe enough to survive in a shelter and become a potential adoption candidate to find their new loving home.

Wait Until 8 means to wait until kittens are eight weeks old before turning them into a shelter. This program is designed to empower you to care for kittens in your home until the kittens are old enough to return for sterilization and adoption.

To qualify for the program you must be an Athens-Clarke County resident, age 18 or older that agrees to the following:

• Be able to safely house kittens and/or mama cat with nursing kittens for the duration of the program - typically until the kittens are 8 weeks of age and weigh at least 2 pounds.
• Give adequate and age appropriate food, and fresh water, every day.
• Provide clean bedding and litter box.
• Spend time each day socializing the kittens. In order to be an ideal adoption candidate, kittens need to be socialized and friendly.

If you’ve found a kitten or a litter of kittens and aren’t sure if they are old enough, to exist in a temporary shelter environment. You can call the Athens-Clarke County Animal Services and one of our Milk Officer can deliver a kitten kit to your home.

In the starter kit you will receive the following supplies:

• Kitten Milk Replacer (“KMR”)
• Kitten bottle
• Syringes (3mL)
• Canned kitten food
• Disposable litter pan
• Puppy pee pads
• Kitty litter

Congratulations! Your kitten(s) are ready to find their new forever home.

You have the following options:

• Bring them to Athens-Clarke County Animal Services. 
• Contact Animal Services, and a Milk Officer will come and pick them up from your location.  

Kittens will be impounded, placed on the spay/neuter surgery schedule, and placed for adoption.

Please contact Athens-Clarke County Animal Services and speak with the foster coordinator. Our Phone number is 706-613-3540.