Neonatal kittens without a mother face significant survival challenges that require intensive foster care with correct technique and supplies to achieve positive welfare and survival outcomes.
Neonatal kitten foster care is one of the most demanding and impactful welfare interventions available to cat lovers. The intensive time commitment is substantial, but so is the welfare benefit to animals who would otherwise not survive. Incorrect technique including wrong milk formula causes avoidable illness and death. Correct thermal management prevents the leading cause of neonatal mortality. Fosters who develop expertise and support networks become highly effective contributors to shelter welfare outcomes, with the skills to save dozens of kittens over their fostering careers.