Putting Orphan Kittens With Lactating Mom

[gtmoy]

I have 2 foster moms right now and their litters are 2 and 3 kittens. I am always seeing the local shelter begging for bottle feeders, but I work full time and can't do that. I was thinking I could take some of these orphans and let them latch onto my current moms. The only thing I am wondering is if the orphans have fiv/felv, wouldn't I end up exposing the mom and litter? I had both moms tested before they gave birth and they're negative. Thanks in advance.

 

[talkingpeanut]

How old are your current kittens?

 

[gtmoy]

17 and 26 days old.

 

[talkingpeanut]

I would make sure that you knew what happened to the mom of the orphans, and make sure they are similarly aged/sized.

If mom won't accept them, what will you do?

 

[gtmoy]

I was thinking about taking them with me to the shelter, but I guess that would be pretty stressful for mom and babies. Perhaps I'll just concentrate on the kitties I have now. Thanks!

 

[talkingpeanut]

Yeah, I would highly recommend that you don't move mom and babies around.