Saving a neonatal kitten is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s also one of the hardest. And for many shelters across the country, it’s simply something they cannot do alone.

Newborn kittens enter the world with almost no defenses of their own. For their first few weeks, they rely on antibodies passed from their mother’s milk to help protect them from disease. But once they’re weaned — or if they’re orphaned from birth — that natural protection fades quickly, leaving them vulnerable to viruses that can spread fast and turn deadly in a matter of days.

Spaying a mother cat is one of the most impactful things you can do to prevent unwanted litters — but what happens when that mom is still nursing her kittens? Let’s walk through the facts, dispel the myths, and share best practices to ensure mom and babies stay healthy and safe.

Here’s how to write an adoption bio that helps cautious kittens find the patient, loving homes they deserve.

Here’s how to thank donors in heartfelt, authentic ways that leave them feeling valued —and eager to give again.

At Esther Neonatal Kitten Alliance, we knew we needed to offer around-the-clock support to our foster parents — but we also knew that burning out our staff wasn’t an option. So, we got creative. Here’s how we built a 24/7 foster emergency support system that actually works — and how your rescue or shelter can, too.

If we want to keep saying “yes” to kittens from overcrowded shelters, bottle babies found outside, or kittens in urgent need of medical help, we have to make sure that adoptable animals are seen, noticed, and chosen. Adoptions are the engine that keeps the rescue machine running. So when things slow down? We have to adjust.

When new kittens enter a shelter environment, it is crucial to conduct comprehensive nose-to-tail examinations to ensure their well-being...