Lionel was a very young kitten when he was found in a bush on a rainy day. Barb, a volunteer of Allen County SPCA, took Lionel in as a foster. At one point, he stopped eating and began to decline. Barb knew that Lionel would do much better if he had some siblings around. She asked… Learn More

Can a partnership with local veterinarians save orphaned kittens’ lives? You bet, when they’re moved from foster care to local veterinary practices, where they’re provided with love, socialization and care. That’s what the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (HSSW) did, and they share how you can, too, in our latest MaddieTalk: Vet Pets! “We were struggling… Learn More

It’s no secret underage and orphaned kittens are at high risk even in the best of circumstances. Fortunately, there is a growing body of experience and resources aimed at helping animal shelters, rescue groups and foster homes give these little ones the best possible chance at a healthy life in a new adoptive home. At… Learn More

Orphaned kittens are fragile. Even under the best of circumstances they often don’t survive, and being orphaned is a major threat to their health. While many dedicated caregivers take it on themselves to bottle feed these babies, few know how to perform a basic exam that could mean the difference between life and death for… Learn More

Probiotics may help orphaned kittens suffering from diarrhea. But how do you get the probiotics into the kitten? Orphaned kittens frequently have digestive problems, including diarrhea. This can be caused by a number of factors including stress, infection and dietary change. Giving probiotics may help prevent or reduce the severity of diarrhea, but getting them… Learn More

Mama cats use their rough tongues to get their kittens to urinate and defecate. Orphaned kittens have to rely on their foster parents to help them do that. But how? In this video, veterinarian Dr. Laurie Peek, Maddie’s Executive Leadership Team, narrates a step-by-step guide to get any human up to feline mother standards in… Learn More

Do you think your orphaned kittens are ready for solid foods, but aren’t sure how to make the switch? Orphaned kittens transition from formula to solid foods at about 3-4 weeks of age as their teeth start to come in. This change of diet can create a big mess for you, and tummy troubles for… Learn More

Few things can make more of a difference in an animal shelter than saving the lives of orphaned kittens, which usually requires the loving dedication of foster homes. Here’s the good news, though: Bottle-feeding these fragile little ones is easy once you understand a few basic points. In this short, step-by-step video guide, bottle-feeders will… Learn More

If you’ve ever raised an orphaned kitten, you know that they often get as much food on them as in them. What’s more, without their mother’s raspy and ever-ready tongue, they can get covered with stool very quickly. It’s best to spot clean kittens whenever possible, although there will be times that a full bath… Learn More

Spring is already here in some parts of the country, and knocking on the door of the rest. To those of us in the sheltering world, that doesn’t mean spring flowers or spring showers… it means kitten season. Maddie’s Institute® is here to help with this list of kitten season resources! Orphaned Kitten Care How-To… Learn More