If your pet is expecting a litter of puppies or kittens this spring, “Wait ’til 8” and help save their lives by keeping them with their mother for eight weeks.
Puppies and kittens are more likely to survive their youth if they stay with their mothers for the first six weeks of life, said OKC Animal Welfare Superintendent Jon Gary. The extra two weeks are also important so they grow to the appropriate size and weight to be spayed or neutered and placed into a new home.
“Spring is the season for puppies and kittens, so new litters will be born all over our community soon,” said Gary. “People often bring unwanted litters of puppies and kittens to our shelter, but it can be an uphill battle for their survival without their mothers. Even if you don’t plan on keeping the litter, wait until the animals are 8 weeks old before bringing them to us. Puppies and kittens younger than that require temporary foster care, and that’s not always possible because of how many other animals are in our shelter.”
Litters of puppies and kittens don’t need much space for the first eight weeks. Clean their space regularly and make sure the mother dog or cat is taken care of, and she can raise the newborns more or less on her own for eight weeks.
The puppies and kittens are weaned by about 6 weeks old, but still need their mothers’ help for another two weeks to learn social skills and avoid infections.
At 8 weeks old, the puppies and kittens are old enough to fend for themselves. They can be evaluated by the Animal Welfare team and placed for adoption after they’re spayed or neutered.
All adoptable animals at OKC Animal Welfare are microchipped, up-to-date on vaccinations, treated for worms and spayed or neutered. Visit okc.gov/animalwelfare to search for adoptable animals and get tips on responsible pet ownership.
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Media Contact
Jon Gary
(405) 297-3116
jonathan.gary@okc.gov
