04/23/2026
This is a very timely post, especially after our kitten situation yesterday evening.
We do not separate kittens from their mom unless an absolute emergency. This is only the second time in SEVEN YEARS and over 7,000 cats where we have had a mom reject her kittens. We work diligently to always keep kittens with mom.
We also have a vast network we work with, of reputable and ethical organizations where our values and missions align, along with mentors with decades of experience to guide us with difficult decisions.
We were in communication with our friends, Olivia from Cat Adoption Team and Joy Smith of Fieldhaven Feline Center. They both have feral/community cat experience and with neonates. The kittens were transferred to an experienced neonate caregiver with our transfer partner CAT.
This episode brought out messages from multiple people, mostly individuals, who "have experience with neonates and will keep until adopted out". In our experience, these groups are usually only interested in kittens, not spaying the mom, zero regard to a colony, zero education to the finder and are quick to just take the kittens.
Please do your research when you are looking for "someone to take this kitten ". And reach out to experienced rescues with community cats - maybe those kittens don't need to be rescued yet.
Thank you Brittany for your PSA.
We’ve recently seen an increase in individuals offering to take in only neonatal (newborn) kittens, without their mom. We want to share some context so our community can make informed, safe choices for these vulnerable animals because it's a group effort and transparency is important.
🚩 Why this can be concerning
Caring for neonatal kittens is highly specialized and demanding. While there are experienced fosters and rescues who handle these cases, reputable rescue work is typically focused on the big picture as well like helping entire litters, supporting mom cats, and reducing overpopulation through spay/neuter programs.
Groups or individuals who are only seeking out newborn kittens, especially without regard for the mother, should prompt thoughtful questions.
🐾 What reputable rescues look like in Oregon, legitimate rescues:
• Are registered with the Oregon Department of Justice as Animal Rescue Entities (ARE)
• Focus on helping both kittens and their mother whenever possible as well as other adult cats.
• Spay/neuter prior to adoption
• Operate transparently and prioritize animal welfare
• Work toward long-term solutions
Local rescues like us here at Hazel's House Rescue, Mario’s Paw, Northwest Animal Companions, Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals, PAWS Animal Shelter, a division of NW Oregon Animal Alliance, and Newberg Animal Shelter (and many more) all work toward that bigger picture supporting families, not separating them unless absolutely necessary.
🍼 When intervention is actually needed
Bottle feeding is a last resort, not the first step. Rescues step in when:
• The mother is confirmed deceased
• The mother has rejected the litter
• A kitten is in medical distress or fading
Otherwise, the best place for kittens is with their mom. Many kittens who seem “abandoned” are simply waiting, mom is often nearby and will return.
🐈 If mom is feral
If the kittens are safe, it’s often best to wait until they are around 4–5 weeks old before intervening. At that stage, you can make a plan to safely trap mom and kittens and get everyone the care they need. A great local resource is PDX Cat Trapper, who can help guide you through humane trapping and next steps.
⏳ If you find kittens
• Watch from a distance and give mom time to come back
• Do not remove kittens unless they are in immediate danger
• Contact a reputable rescue for guidance before intervening
💛 Education over judgment
We know people care deeply and want to help, that compassion matters. By working together and following best practices, we can ensure both kittens and their mothers get the care they truly need.
If you’re ever unsure, please reach out. We’re always happy to help guide you.
