Found kitten. Need advice.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

I work in HR for a construction project. We are set up in trailers. A couple of months ago, one of our engineers complained of meowing coming from under his trailer. Lo and behold, we found two kittens, but the mom was nearby so we left them alone. These were all black kittens and the mom was black as well.

Then, today, one of the subcontractors brings me (I guess I'm the office cat lady... I don't know why, since I'm more of a dog person) another kitten, who is grey with black stripes. She (as we determined) is a feisty one. As soon as I put her on my chest, she started purring. Now, she's in a box, covered up, that has holes for her to breathe because I can't hold her all day, as I have to do work.

Now, the question that I have is this kitten.. she is not super young or a newborn, she still has the big kitten eyes and tiny tail, but can anyone give me any tips as to what to check to establish how old she could be?

Next question, should I let her go out on her own and perhaps find her mom? Just the other day, one of our engineers saw a cat who had been run over by a car and was heavily injured. He took the cat to the humane society which euthanized him/her. Now, we're wondering whether that was the mom. We haven't been able to find other kittens.

I admit I don't know much about cats. I have a rescued cat who has FIV but he was an adult when I rescued him. Any help/suggestions/etc. are appreciated. I was thinking of getting her some food when I go out at lunch time.

Right now, she's quiet in her box, along with a cup of water. She's right next to me. She meows every once in a while, but I think she's at peace now (she was rather scared; we had to corral her into an office).

[HopeHoops]

1. Take her to a vet.

The size and appearance can be deceiving, especially if she's malnourished. A vet will use teeth and other indicators to establish age.

She'll need shots anyway!!!!!

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. Took her to lunch with me

she loves turkey breast and baked Cheetos.

She was hungry and ate a lot. Now she's sleeping in her box. I left her some bits of baked Cheetos and some water. She's as cute as a button.

[hamsterjill]

4. Please don't put her back out.

You may very well be correct in that it was the mother that died, so please don't put this baby back out.

If she's big enough to eat turkey breast and baked Cheetos, she's probably at least 5 weeks old. Any way you could post a picture?

Taking her to a vet would be the best thing to do. If that's not an option, I encourage you to contact a local no kill facility for suggestions, etc.

[Flaxbee]

3. she sounds pretty young, sweet little thing

Not sure how to age her -- a vet definitely will be able to do so. She'll need shots and to be wormed -- just routine stuff.

Are you thinking of keeping her?

[SoCalDem]

5. If you cannot keep her, ask a vet.. Many times they have people who foster kittens

PLEASE....DO NOT PUT HER "OUT",, Some cruel kid or an animal will get her:(

[joeybee12]

6. Don't put her back!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, construction sites are notoriously dangerous for cats due to their curiosity...if you can't keep her, check with a local vet or humane society or shelter...if there is a county shelter, odds are they AREN'T no-kill, so don't bring her there. Make some calls. Again, if she's purring and somewhat friendly, all she needs is a lot of handling to get used to humans.

Also, if those black kittens look old enough to have been weaned, better to take them in also and see my advice above. thanks!!

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

7. I'm not putting her back out...

One of the subcontractors is interested. If he doesn't take her, I will take her to the humane society shelter or to a vet. I'd love to keep her but we lead very busy lives and we already have a dog and an adult FIV+ cat, especially not knowing how they'd react to a new kitten.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51310020@N08/4709900236/

Here she is!

[Critters2]

8. It's difficult to determine the age of a malnourished kitten.

With healthy kittens, there's a formula...so many ounces per week, can't remember exactly. For less-than-healthy kittens, vets will check teeth, eyes, bone development, etc. She may not be a "she" either. Kittens' testicles can drop as late as 2 months. I used to foster kittens, and at least twice I was surprised, when "Suzie" became "Stewie" and "Annie" became "Andy". :)

So, yes, the best thing to do is take her to a vet or shelter. Thanks for taking care of her!

[tango-tee]

9. You have a good, kind heart.

For that alone - thank you. And I agree with the other posters, please don't put the kitten out on the street again.