Kitten Rescue 

It's that time of year again...shelters are literally crawling with kittens, and we've received lots of mails from those of you who have found yourselves suddenly joining the kitten rescue squad. Don't panic! Many people just like you, are able to successfully rescue and re-home kittens every year. With so few humane animal resources here in Japan, it's up to everyone to do what they can, and this is something you can do. Here are a few tips for bringing about a happy ending!

1. Take them in
Don't leave kittens outside. They are in grave danger from many predators, but most often from crows. Time and again, we hear from people who leave the scene and go back, only to find one or more missing or dead. You may have only one chance to help them, so do the kind thing, and pick them up right away. If you only see one kitten, look around for others. Don't remove kittens from mother cats. If all have been abandoned together, and the mother cat is friendly, consider rescuing and re-homing the group.

2. Keep them warm and hydrated
Check the kitten's body for signs of trauma or ill health, and if possible, take them directly to be checked by a veterinarian. Very young kittens (with eyes still closed) should respond by bobbing their heads up, when touched, while older kittens should actively move around. Dehydration is common, with symptoms being lethargy and lack of appetite. Giving the kitten some sugar water may help temporarily. Mix one teaspoon sugar with a cup of warm water, and put drops into the front of the mouth. Be careful not to tip the head back, so the kitten doesn't choke. Hypothermia is also a common problem, particularly with young kittens, who cannot regulate their body temperature and react dramatically to changes in ambient temperature. Keep the kitten warm, without being too hot, by placing a small drink bottle filled with warm water under a towel near the kitten. If it needs the warmth, it will rest near the bottle. Even if the outside temperature seems warm to you, the kitten may still need the extra warmth, particularly at night. Pay special attention to any wounds, which can look small but may involve a serious abscess under the skin. Issues such as wounds, a runny nose or eyes full of discharge, require veterinary attention.

3. Give them food and comfort
Address food and comfort needs before worrying about cleaning the kitten up or removing fleas. A bed with a soft furry blanket in a box or basket, along with the hot water bottle, can really make a kitten feel secure and comforted. Kittens whose eyes are open may be ready to eat soft wet food. Kitten food is best, as it is easiest to eat, and it contains the extra amount of nutrients that kittens need for growth. Warm the food slightly in the microwave, to make it stronger smelling and more attractive, then place it in a small dish directly under the kitten's mouth. You can also introduce the food, if necessary, by placing a very small dab in the front of the kitten's mouth. If that doesn't work, or the eyes are still closed, the kittens will need to be bottle fed. Cow's milk doesn't have the nutrients needed by kittens, and can also cause stomach upset, so specially formulated kitten milk is necessary. Find this, along with bottles, at most home centers. Esbilac brand, in powdered form, seems to be a favorite. Thoroughly mix it according to directions, initially using very warm water, as cool water can dangerously lower the kitten's body temperature. In order to prevent lumps that can clog the nipple, mix it into a paste with a very small amount of water first, then add water slowly while stirring. When bottle feeding, frequency and patience are key. Sucking is an important part of the feeding process, but it can take young kittens a bit of time to adjust to using a synthetic nipple. Rinse new nipples multiple times in warm water, to remove some of the rubbery smell. Check to be sure the milk isn't too hot or cool, and that the nipple isn't clogged, so that milk can actually flow through it. Also be sure that the hole in the nipple is not too big, creating a danger of choking from a heavy flow of milk. The kitten may resist, at first, but try to gently place the nipple in the kitten's mouth several times. Wrapping the kitten in a towel, and rubbing the edges of its mouth with your finger, can sometimes stimulate a sucking response. If the kitten doesn't start to suck, don't use force to keep the nipple in its mouth, which might create a negative association. Take a break and then try again after 20 minutes or so. Dropping or syringing milk into the side of the kitten's mouth is a good idea, in order to provide some nutrition temporarily.  But, this will not be effective over time, so continue trying to use the bottle. Some kittens respond better if you try a different brand of bottle. Feed according to package directed amounts, 6 or more times per day. Healthy kittens should gain weight steadily, should not cry constantly, should be actively moving, and should have round bellies. Health issues in kittens move into crisis mode quickly, so vigilance and quick medical attention can be necessary. However, even under optimum care, it seems that some kittens are just not meant to make it. Give it your best shot, and know that you were able to provide the kitten rescue and some comfort, at the very least.

4. Help them to toilet
Very young kittens need help toileting, and cannot eliminate without stimulation, so may die without this help. Place the kitten on its back, in the palm of your hand, and tap the genital area with a tissue gently. You can use a tissue dipped in warm water, but don't use packaged wet tissues, as the chemicals included are not safe for kittens. Watch out for continuous diarrhea, which can dangerously dehydrate kittens. A few common causes are bacteria in the living space, diet irregularity, and/or parasites. Start by bringing a small sample of the kitten's feces to the vet, who can check for parasites, bacteria or digestion problems, and provide appropriate medication. Human medications and supplements are often unsafe or dangerous to use on cats, so do not medicate without veterinary supervision.

5. Keep them clean
Since orphaned kittens are without the protection of antibodies in their mother's milk, they are very susceptible to bacterial infections, so their living space and bodies must be kept very clean. Change bedding or cage lining frequently. Wash your hands before handling, and use a warm wet washcloth to clean the area around the kitten's mouth after feeding. If not cleaned immediately after eating, food or milk on the face or neck will harden and be difficult to remove afterward. Feces residue may also need to be cleaned away from the leg and tail area. If the kitten must be bathed, do it after the health is stabilized, and keep the kitten warm at all times. Use kitten safe shampoo, but keep water and shampoo away from the kitten's face. Shampoos like Novalsen, containing Clorhexidine, are good for removing bacteria. Use a blow dryer or heater to towel them dry in front of, afterward, keeping them warm until dry. It's better to discuss flea treatment with a vet, as some types may be too strong to use on kittens. However flea combs are safe, and can be used to remove fleas temporarily.

6. Keep them safe and social
Give the kitten a safe place to play and live. Use a shallow litter tray, with the type of cat litter that has larger pellets, so that the kitten does not accidentally ingest it. Cages can sometimes be convenient to use for kitten care, as they address safety issues as well as potential damage to your living area. Check out an idea for making cage life more comfortable by adding a loft bed. If you have young children, explain how fragile kittens are, and supervise all interaction. This is a good chance to instill empathy in your child, and to provide instruction on how kittens should be held and picked up, specifically not around their stomachs or necks. People want to adopt friendly kittens, and some kittens will need more help with socialization than others. Gently play with the kitten, and interact with it often to encourage this process.

7. Start looking for a home
If you are able to give the kitten a good home yourself, consider doing that. It's often very easy to take cats with you, for those leaving the country. However if you aren't able to provide a home yourself, get started on re-homing right away. It's easiest to find homes for kittens while they're young. Think up a cute name, and write up an interesting profile. Make attractive posters, using down-loadable software such as Comic Life, to put up at schools, shops, veterinary clinics, etc. Check out a sample poster made by one of our foster caretakers using Comic Life and another using PDF. If you only have English language ability, post classified ads on popular expat websites such as Kijiji, Craig's List, Gaijin Pot, etc. If you have Japanese ability, post on satoya-boshu.net and in either case, check potential homes carefully. Though most people responding to ads for kittens are genuinely interested in adoption, there are also people with bad intentions out there, who are searching for free cats and kittens. Always visit the home, check that the address matches the identification, and watch how potential owners interact with the kitten. Be absolutely sure that the kitten will be spayed or neutered. Re-homing without insuring spay/neuter only creates the possibility of the tragic and unnecessary cycle of unwanted kittens continuing.

8. Prevent other kittens from winding up in the same position
Pat yourself on the back. Helping when there is such an obvious desperate need, is the kind and good thing to do!  Now take a look around the area in which you found the kitten. Kittens are often found in places where stray cats congregate, and starting a TNR project in the area is the most effective way to make a difference. Trapping stray cats for spay and neuter gives them the best chance for a healthier, safer life. It also stops the needless reproduction and suffering of kittens, that may not be as lucky as those you found. For more advice or assistance in helping cats or kittens, feel free to contact us here at Japan Cat Network.