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What to Do if You Come Across Kittens
The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department’s mission is to protect and serve the pets and people of Albuquerque by providing Caregiving, Awareness, Resources, Enforcement and Service excellence.

What to Do if You Come Across Kittens

Animal Welfare Department explains how to help

April 21, 2026

ALBUQUERQUE — With hundreds of orphaned kittens arriving every week, this is an overwhelming time of year for shelters. If you find a kitten or a litter of kittens, Animal Welfare Department (AWD) requests your help, and offers resources and information on what to do.

If you find young kittens without their mom, it does not necessarily mean they have been abandoned. The mother could be out looking for food or a more suitable home for them. If you find one or two kittens, their mother may be in the process of moving the family and is on her way back for the others.

Wait and observe from a distance for an hour or two. If possible, watch the area for several hours to confirm the kittens are truly abandoned. To check whether the mother cat is returning, sprinkle a small amount of all-purpose flour around the location, avoiding the kittens themselves. If you see paw prints in the flour, it means the mother cat has been coming and going.

Once you determine kittens are truly abandoned or in danger, you can help save lives and keep shelters from reaching capacity by becoming a foster parent. AWD provides pet food and supplies when taking care of our shelter pets. For more information about fostering, please email [email protected]. For additional questions about caring for kittens, email at [email protected].

“As a pet-friendly city, we want all residents to know how to help during ‘kitten season,’” said Mayor Tim Keller. “With an influx of animals needing homes, it’s a great time of year to foster or adopt a shelter pet.”

 “AWD shelters are overrun with cuddly puppies and kittens right now, some of which need constant care,” said AWD Director Carolyn Ortega. “We’re asking the community’s help to make sure they live happy, healthy lives.”

If the found kittens are weak or lethargic, please bring them immediately to the admissions entrance at either the Eastside or Westside shelter location. After hours please take found kittens to Route 66 Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Center.

Tips for Judging a Kitten’s Age

  • Under one week: Eyes shut, ears flat to head, skin looks pinkish, part of umbilical cord may still be attached.
  • One week-10 days: Eyes beginning to open, ears still flat. A kitten this age is smaller than your hand.
  • Three weeks: Eyes are fully open, ears are erect, and teeth are visible. Kittens are just starting to walk and will be very wobbly.
  • Four-five weeks: Eyes have changed from blue to another color and/or kittens have begun to pounce and leap. Kittens this age will begin to eat gruel or canned food.
  • Seven weeks: Kittens are ready to be away from their mother cat. They will start to eat crunchy kibble/food and are very active and playful. Kittens this age run, jump, and are highly

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