Longer days and warmer weather mean cats will be in heat, and kitten season is here.
When you find kittens outside, your first thought might be to take them to the vet. But what looks like orphaned kittens may not be abandoned at all.
The mother cat is likely out scavenging for food, and she is their best source of survival.
If their current nesting area is in immediate danger, move them to a safe location nearby where the mother cat can still find them.
If there is no sight of a mom for 12 to 24 hours, she is likely not coming back.
You can take the kittens in as new family members, or foster them while you reach out to your personal network to find them a home.
Local rescue organizations at this time of year are over-capacity with kittens so they should be the last resort.
The Hawaiian Humane Society cannot take in kittens younger than 8 weeks old.
For more information on kitten resources, visit here.
