Preventing disease spread isn't a nice-to-have in kitten work. It's the whole job, running quietly underneath the feedings and the laundry.

If you have a mama cat with a litter and you're trying to figure out when she can get fixed, you're asking exactly the right question at exactly the right time.

So there's a kitten coming home. Maybe you've been planning this for months, or maybe the Kitten Distribution System found you and now you're standing in a pet store aisle wondering why there are forty kinds of litter. Either way: breathe. You've got this, and we've got you. Here's the honest truth about that first week — it's less about having the perfect setup and more about giving one small kitten a calm, safe place to land. Kittens don't need much. They need warmth, food,

One of the largest kitten formula manufacturers recently pulled its product from store shelves without warning, leaving shelters, rescue organizations, foster caregivers, and community members scrambling to find alternatives. As demand has shifted to other brands, those products are becoming increasingly difficult to find as well. Rescues across the country are asking the same question: What happens if kitten formula simply isn't available? Unfortunately, this isn't a hypoth

The first few days at home are all about helping your kitten feel safe, secure, and comfortable. A calm, gentle introduction to their new environment helps build confidence and sets the foundation for a happy, trusting relationship.

It's one of the most common questions people ask after finding a mother cat with kittens: Can a cat get pregnant while she's still nursing her babies?

Giving medication can feel intimidating—but slow, calm, and gentle is the key.

Sometimes we feel drained, sad, or overwhelmed. Here’s how to tell the difference between compassion fatigue, burnout, and grief–– and what to do about it.

Clean bedding and towels are essential for keeping kittens healthy. Kittens are vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, and parasites, so proper laundry routines are lifesaving.

Moving into a new space can be stressful for kittens. With patience, routine, and gentle support, you can help them feel safe, confident, and ready to thrive.

If you're considering returning to fostering after a period of burnout, here are some ways to make that transition healthy for both you and the kittens in your care.

Food can help build trust, reduce fear, and support healthy socialization, without forcing interaction.

Cleaning and sanitizing are not the same thing, and one does not work properly without the other.

Proper toy sanitation helps prevent illness and protects future foster kittens.

Knowing when to discard items helps prevent illness and injury.

Every once in a while, we make a decision that can feel a little inconvenient from the outside: We close to the public for a day. And while it may look like “just cleaning,” these days are actually some of the most important life-saving days we have all year.

He was found alone in a ditch — just a tiny, fragile kitten with no mom in sight. At three weeks old, he should have been steadily growing, curious, and beginning to explore the world. Instead, he weighed what a five-day-old kitten should weigh.

Bringing your first foster kittens home is equal parts exciting, overwhelming, and deeply rewarding. You’re stepping into a role that quite literally saves lives — and while that’s an incredible thing, it’s also important to know what you’re walking into. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really do this?” — this guide is for you.

Can a cat get pregnant while nursing? It's one of the most common questions we get — and the answer surprises a lot of people.

At Esther Neonatal Kitten Alliance, we’ve learned something important over the years: the most powerful lifesaving work happens before the first emergency intake of the season.