Become an at-home caregiver for stray and neonatal kittens until 8 weeks of age
The Wait Until 8 program empowers you to become an at-home caregiver for stray and neonatal kittens until 8 weeks of age, when you can then return them to the shelter for adoption.
How it works
If you might otherwise turn 2- to 6-week-old stray and orphaned kittens over to shelters, you can instead obtain free supplies and care instructions to save their lives. Our shelter staff will provide free Kitten Survival Kit supplies, written care instructions, and a personal orientation for care of neonatal kittens. You will return orphaned but healthy neonatal kittens to the shelter at 8 weeks of age (or when they weigh at least two pounds).
What you should know
- Volunteers agree to provide all care after leaving the shelter (during the "waiting" period)
- Upon return to the shelter at 8 weeks, all kittens undergo spay/neuter surgery to prepare for adoption
- Volunteer caregivers may officially adopt their kittens free of charge - including County pet license, vaccination, microchip, and chip registration
- Volunteer caregivers must be at least 18
- For medical reasons, neonatal kittens whose eyes have not yet opened will not be eligible for the Wait Until 8 program
- All participants receive a Kitten Survival Kit containing formula, bottles, and other items provided by Pet Resource Center. Kitten Survival Kits are available at the Pet Resource Center
Resources
See instructions on how to take care of very young kittens
- Best Friend's: Caring for Abandoned Kittens
- Best Friend's: Bottle Feeding Kittens
- Instructions for caring for orphaned kittens
- Instructions for kitten milk replacement liquid
- Instructions for kitten milk replacement powder
Contact
For more information, please contact Pet Resources at (813) 301-PETS (7387) or visit them at 440 N. Falkenburg Road in Tampa.