Part of Ireland's TNR Manual
How to Help Community Cats
Adapted for Ireland from Alley Cat Allies.
When you come across outdoor kittens, you may feel the need to immediately pick them up and bring them home with you, but that might not be the best thing for the kittens – or for you. Here are some guidelines on how to decide if kittens in a colony should be removed and socialised for adoption, and how to care for them should you choose to remove them and raise or socialise them yourself. You can find more in-depth information online and in our Recommended Reading List. These guidelines are just that, and they should not be used as a substitute for veterinary care.
First Steps When You Find Kittens Outdoors
Taking kittens home is not always in the best interest of the kittens – or you.How to Care for Neonatal Kittens
Some important tips to keep in mind if you do end up having to care for a neonatal kitten.Socialising Feral Kittens
Socialising kittens is a big commitment – but it’s a very rewarding experience.Estimating Kittens’ Ages
Kitten progression photos & weight guideIn addition to the information in this section, consider looking into animal welfare organisations in your area. These are local individuals, organizations, and veterinarians or clinics that may be able to help with hands-on advice, information about borrowing equipment, and veterinarians or clinics that can spay and neuter feral cats. Check out our Links List or search the internet.