Kitten Resources

I began fostering kittens in June 2013.

This page includes a few of my tips for helping kittens, various resources I turn to, and some photos of the kittens I’ve worked with over the years.

My “sweet spot” is working with 6-8 week old kittens who need help with their socialization skills. I’ve also fostered some moms with their babies. I love when a kitten is ready to look for their forever home.

I work most closely with the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle and we support each other. I help with kittens in need and they support my volunteer efforts with on-call medical care, food/litter, and the entire adoption process. If you would like to be considered to adopt a kitten I am fostering, you can apply here.

Foster Status

2021 My kitten room is currently empty as we care for resident cat Shadow.

Please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle.

3 ways to help

Donate Money. Find an organization and make a donation.
Share Awareness. Help share news about TNR in your community, kittens and older cats who are available for adoption. Like that social media post and share it.
Donate Time. Beyond fostering, you may find your time can be used with your organization in different ways. Help them with laundry, sort donations, be creative!

Top 3 tips

Have a number of an expert to call and use it if you have a question. Kittens are tiny and a little change may affect them quickly.
Get comfortable talking about poop (and looking at it). You will quickly learn to analyze different colors and consistencies. The photos and texts on my cell phone are as likely to be adorable pics of kittens as what comes out their back end.
Keep them warm and have fun.

Resources

kitten care provdes tips and guides from kittenlady.org including feeding guides, bathroom business, guides to determining age and sex, and more. she's also active on instagram (@kittenxlady) & her partner, a professional cat photographer (@iamthecatphotographer)
The Chris Griffey Memorial Feline Foundation focuses on neonatal at-risk kittens and is based in the Washington DC area. Ellen Carozza, LVT provides lots of helpful information on instagram (@thecatlvt).
Cornell University Veterinary Specialists based in Stamford, CT. They offer 24-Hour Emergency services as well as specialists for comprehensive and effective care. They've been treating my resident cat, Shadow, for his hemangiosarcoma.
ASPCA provides lots of information, primarily geared towards shelters. I've found their Kitten Gender Guide very helpful!
Animal Medical Center is based in NYC and has a helpful website including their Pet Health Library

Selected Articles I've written

Kitten Season Resources Review of Fear Free Shelters course & Tiny but Mighty book (blog post penguingirl.com - 25 March 2021)
knitting with kittens (blog post littleacorncreations.com - 30 July 2019)
Lessons in Patience (blog post penguingirl.com - 29 November 2018)
foster kitten socialization for extreme introverts (blog post penguingirl.com - 25 January 2018)
Penny's Guide To Fostering Kittens (blog post tombihn.com - 26 May 2017)
helping kittens (blog post psgstudio.us - 04 May 2016)
Lessons From a Kitten (blog post tombihn.com - 23 April 2015)
A Kitten's Guide to Getting Things Done. (blog post psgstudio.us - 12 August 2014)
cats and kittens and love (blog post penguingirl.com - 23 May 2014)
Shadow's Decision (blog post penguingirl.com - 30 August 2013)

Photo Album & Blog Posts

coming soon...

Current Full-Time Residents

Shadow was adopted in Nov 2009 as a 7 month old kitten. In May of 2021 he was diagnoised with hemangiosarcoma. He has had surgery and chemo. His prognosis is uncertain as this is a rare condition in felines. He loves to sunbeams and snuggles.

Dot was adopted after a month of fostering in the summer of 2019. She loves boxes and bird watching.