Shelters across the country are overwhelmed, especially during “kitten season” (spring through fall), when the number of homeless kittens skyrockets. Many facilities simply don’t have the resources or staff to care for every kitten who needs help. If the shelter can’t help, what can you do? Don’t panic. There are options — and what you do next could make all the difference for those kittens.

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.

Spaying and neutering are some of the most important — and most misunderstood — procedures in animal rescue. If you're a new adopter or foster parent, it's completely normal to feel nervous about putting a kitten or cat through surgery.