ALEEFI found a kitten in the street: the right things to do
In Morocco, coming across a lone kitten in the street is common — and it tugs at your heart every time. The urge to save it is the right one, but a few thoughtful steps are worth more than a rushed impulse that could, without meaning to, harm it. Here's how to do it right.
1. Observe before you act: the mother may be nearby
A lone kitten isn't always abandoned. The mother hunts or moves her young one by one, and may come back at any moment. If the kitten looks clean, calm and warm, keep your distance and watch for a good hour or two: a kitten has far better odds with its mother than with the best of human intentions.
On the other hand, if it's visibly in distress — cold, dirty, thin, crying non-stop, injured, or in immediate danger (traffic, heat, a dog) — you need to step in.
2. Secure it and keep it warm
A kitten loses body heat very quickly. Wrap it in a towel or a clean cloth, against you or near a gentle source of warmth (never hot). Settle it in a box or basket, somewhere quiet, away from noise and drafts.
3. Feed it safely
This is where people often make a well-intentioned mistake:
- Never give cow's milk: it causes diarrhea and dehydration, which are dangerous for a kitten. “Ordinary” milk is not suitable.
- A very young kitten needs a specific kitten milk replacer (sold in pet shops), given lukewarm.
- If it's a bit older and eats on its own, offer suitable kitten food and fresh water.
- If you're unsure of its age or condition, your vet will guide you: the feeding rhythm and type for a newborn are nothing like those for a two-month-old kitten.
4. See a vet
This is a step not to skip. A vet can estimate its age, check its health, deworm it, spot any illness and tell you how to proceed (feeding, vaccinations to plan, weaning). An early check-up avoids many nasty surprises, for the kitten and for the other animals in the house.
This article does not replace veterinary advice: for anything touching the kitten's health, it's the professional who decides.
5. Does it have an owner? Think about it before adopting
A kitten — especially if it's not skittish — has sometimes simply gotten away from its family. Before considering it “yours”, the right reflex is to check whether someone is looking for it: it's both a matter of honesty and, for the kitten, the best chance of finding its people again.
6. Adopt or refer: you're not alone
Maybe you can keep it. Maybe not — allergies, other pets, housing. Either way, the community can help: finding a foster family, spreading the word about an adoption, pointing you to an association or sharing advice from people who've been through it.
How ALEEF helps you, every step of the way
- Lost & Found: report the found kitten and check whether an owner is looking for it in your area.
- Directory: quickly find a vet near you for the first check-up.
- Community: ask for advice, look for a foster family or spread the word about an adoption among other animal lovers near you.
- Health record: if you decide to adopt it, open its record from the very first visit.