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Summer is the most urgent time for TNVR. Learn why kitten season is so deadly and how you can help prevent suffering for outdoor cats through GiluFunds.

Every spring, social media lights up with adorable photos of tiny kittens found outside. And while the instinct to help is a good one, well-meaning actions can sometimes do more harm than good.
Kitten season is a high-stakes time for rescuers—and the choices we make as individuals can literally mean the difference between life and death for a kitten.
So let’s talk about the most common mistakes people make during kitten season—and what you should do instead.

You’re out for a walk and spot a litter of tiny kittens tucked under a bush or hiding near a building. They’re quiet, alone, and your heart tells you: I have to save them.
But before you act, pause.

Each spring, well-meaning animal lovers come across tiny kittens outside and rush to “rescue” them. But during kitten season, the wrong kind of help can actually cause harm—to the kittens, the mother, and even the rescuer. Before you scoop up that litter, take a breath. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do to truly make a difference.

Every spring, animal shelters, rescue groups, and community caregivers across the U.S. brace for a familiar—and heartbreaking—reality: kitten season. While it may sound cute, kitten season represents a time of crisis for stray and feral cats, when the number of kittens born outdoors skyrockets. Understanding what kitten season is and how you can help is the first step toward real, lasting change.

In a quiet Philadelphia neighborhood, a cat named Oliver once prowled the streets with wary eyes and a rigid stance, his life defined by survival. He had spent years dodging cars, scavenging for food, and retreating from human contact. But today, Oliver sleeps soundly in a sunlit living room, his paws kneading a soft fleece blanket as he purrs contentedly beside his human guardian. His journey from feral to friendly was neither simple nor guaranteed, but it proves one of the most persistent questions in feline welfare: Can a truly feral cat be socialized?

Many people use the terms “feral” and “stray” interchangeably, but they refer to very different types of cats. This misunderstanding often results in well-meaning but harmful actions. Stray cats are socialized to humans and have lived in homes before becoming lost or abandoned. Feral cats, on the other hand, have never been socialized to humans or have spent so much time away from people that they behave like wild animals.

When it comes to ensuring a long, happy life for your feline companion, keeping them indoors is one of the best decisions you can make. Indoor cats live significantly longer than outdoor cats—often 10–15 years longer—because they are protected from various dangers, including traffic, predators, disease, and harsh weather conditions.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is one of the most misunderstood conditions in the cat world. Often compared to HIV in humans, FIV carries an unfortunate stigma that makes adoption challenging for affected cats. However, the truth is that FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy, and happy lives, just like any other cat.

Not every cat living outside is feral—some are lost, abandoned, or simply seeking human companionship. If you’ve encountered a friendly stray cat, you might wonder how to help them find a safe and loving home. Placing a cat in a home requires patience, planning, and the right resources to ensure their long-term well-being.

Encountering a cat outdoors can be a heartwarming yet concerning experience. Is the cat lost? Was it abandoned? Or is it a feral cat that has never known human companionship? Understanding the difference between a feral cat and a stray cat is crucial for providing the appropriate help.