by Kelsey Winters

Created on: October 01, 2009   Last Updated: October 02, 2009

It can be a truly wonderful experience when you take in an abandoned kitten (or a whole litter of them!). Don't get me wrong: It will take a lot of work, time, and patience to help these little critters healthily grow. You may want to keep and raise these kittens, or you may just be looking to get them healthy so you can find a good home for them. Either way, there are some very important things you need to do when you first take on this responsibility.

Visual Check

First, check to make sure that the kitten or kittens are actually abandoned. Look around for the mother cat, just so you're certain she isn't off hunting or hurt. If the kittens are dirty, crying a lot, and are living in a messy nesting area, it's very likely that they are abandoned. Also, do a general visual check over the kittens. Check to see if there are any noticeable signs of injury, illness, or common viruses such as ringworm or eye infections. Feral cats are especially susceptible to infections, injuries, and illnesses, but these are often treatable with medicines or shots.

Create a Comfortable Environment

Take the kittens inside and keep them as warm as you can. Put blankets or towels down in the box to create a nest for the kittens. Try to wrap them in blankets or towels, massaging them lightly to warm them, or place a warming pad or hot water bottle in the nest. Abandoned kittens will feel most comfortable in smaller, warmer areas, since that is the environment their mother would create for them.

Make a Vet Appointment

Your newly adopted kittens will need to see a vet as soon as possible. A vet can determine approximately how old they are, what sort of care they are going to need, and if they are dehydrated or malnourished. If necessary, your vet will give you medicine and/or eye drops with instructions to give to the kittens daily. Also, if the kittens are old enough and healthy enough, your vet may give them their first shots. If not, he may tell you to wait a few weeks and come back to get the shots.

At Home

Find a space for the kittens to live. If you don't want them wandering around the house just yet (which you probably will not want them to do, since they are not litter box trained and can get themselves into tight spots - literally), find a room the mark off as "theirs". Bathrooms are a great place for them, since the floor is generally easy to clean. Lay towels and bedding down in this room. You will also want to buy a litter box, and you may want to invest in some rubber gloves

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