Earlier this spring, a Good Samaritan who thought she was rescuing kittens took possession of babies of an entirely different sort!
Jennifer Armbruster, Senior Manager of Public Relations at the Arizona Humane Society, told Fox News Digital via email, "Last week, a Good Samaritan found a den behind their shed full of tiny baby animals."
She Thought She Was Rescuing Kittens
Noticing a nest of furry babies on her property near South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, and unsure what to do, the woman transported the critters to the Arizona Humane Society (AHS). She believed them to be orphaned and domestic animals.
Once there, AHS staff quickly realized that the two offspring were not kittens but foxes. Ms. Armbruster said, "The tiny babies were then transferred to Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, which identified them as gray foxes, where they will undergo rehabilitation and [be] released to the wild when they are old enough to be on their own."
Jennifer shared that it's important to remember that animal mothers offer their little ones the best opportunity for survival. Late spring and summer mark the start of "kitten season" for most parts of the country. The season can last until fall. Therefore, outdoor female cats may birth three litters during the typical six-month breeding season. That's a lot of kitty cats!
Kittens Might Be Alone if Mom Is Hunting or Finding Water
According to Austin Cannon of Daily Paws, "When a momma outdoor cat gives birth to a litter, she’ll construct a kind of nest for her small family. It’s common to come across their little home when the kittens are alone, but that’s normal. The mom needs to hunt and find water. Not to mention, she might be nearby, waiting for you to leave."
According to Jennifer Armbruster, leaving the kittens alone is best because the mother will probably return. If, however, the mother has not returned within 8 hours, "it is likely the kittens are orphaned."
Care-in-Place Kits for Rescuing Kittens
The Arizona Humane Society and other animal organizations have Care-In-Place kits that can be used to care for underaged, orphaned kittens if they are found too young to be spayed or neutered. It’s an excellent tool for rescuing kittens.
While the Arizona Good Samaritan had no idea the littles she located were wild animals, individuals who suspect they've found orphaned creatures that belong in the wild should contact a wildlife rehabilitation organization for assistance.
"Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name." Genesis 2:19
Photo Credit: Facebook/KTAR News 92.3
Originally published on GodUpdates. Used with permission.