Neonatal Program

More Kittens—More Structure

Adequate FacilityAdjust your current spaceRelocate the nursery

Nursery Structure∙All in—All out system for intakes∙Create separate “rooms” if your space is open∙Status boards∙“Overflow” or isolation area

Supplies—Storage Area Multiple feeding stations—scales,

baby wipe warmers, etc. Bins for litter Cat litter Cotton balls Hand sanitizer Disinfectant (nonirritating) Approved cleansers Towels (small and paper) Canned kitten food Dry kitten food: (Royal Canin Baby

Cat Kibble preferred)

Team StructureMore intakes, expanded programEstablish program policies and procedures

BB Organizational Chart

As you grow, so will your need for volunteers and fosters

Don’t lose sight of either one

How do we get and keep volunteers?

Positive messaging◦ Social media◦ Signs◦ Orientation◦ Local news resources◦ Word of Mouth

Keeping volunteers◦ Train them well◦ Clearly defined roles◦ Give them ownership◦ Manage expectations◦ Expect turnover◦ Help them◦ Have fun!

Teams within the teamJob descriptionsVolunteer AgreementStrict time commitments for volunteersPaid feedersCalendarKeep it fun and rewarding

Foster Team CoordinatorClosely monitors nursery

populationClosely monitors foster list—

spreadsheetStays in touch with clinicSeparate foster needs—BBs,

gruel kittens, pregnant and nursing cats, medical and special needs

How do we find and keep fosters?

BlogSocial mediaLocal news (radio, TV, newspaper)Word-of-MouthEducate, train fostersFoster MentorsHelp with marketing and adoptionsMake sure fosters know how important they are to

the programAPPRECIATE your fosters!

Transport CoordinatorLiaison with local shelterPictures; kittens’ story; health updates

from shelterClose contact with nursery

manager/foster manager/clinicArrange transports Transport team

Training CoordinatorRecruitingRespond to inquiries about joining teamConsistent training formatStrategic scheduling of classesOnly experienced feeders should be trainersMonitor trainees’ progress; watch for red flagsProvide mentoring as neededTrain the trainersAnnual workshop

Team Communication

Google Calendar (scheduler)

Yahoo group, pros and consMessage board in nurseryWeekly updates, monthly

newsletterSocial MediaVolunteer Liaison

Your organization must also be up to the task of saving

more kittensAdoptions and Foster TeamMedical—disease, ringworm, surgeries

**APA Clinic performed 1,826 CAT spay/neuter surgeries in 2013—approximately 70% of those were for our kittens**

2 Important External PositionsCat Program & Rescue ManagerOversees anything to do with rescuing cats over 6 weeks old and once our babies turn 6 weeks old.  Cat Adoption Manager Oversees adoption processes, adoption centers and where our kittens go when they are old enough to find forever homes

Protocols∙ Intake/Testing∙ Sanitation ∙ PreventionoRingwormoURIoDiarrheaoPanleuk

∙ Illness protocolsoFading Kitten SyndromeoURIoDiarrheaoRingwormoPanleuk

∙ Feeding/Recipes∙ Outcome∙ Vaccinations/Parasite Control

Record Keeping∙ Intake Information∙ Feeding/weight∙ Urination∙ Defecation∙ Unusual behavior∙ Medical Symptoms∙ Medications∙ Comments∙ Vet notes∙ Feeder Board

Typical Diseases and Meds URI: Doxycycline suspension, Zithromax,

Baytril, Convenia (depends on severity) Diarrhea: Pen G, Kaolin, Amoxicillin, Metro,

Panacur, Marquis Paste, Baytril, LRS Vomit/Diarrhea: Panleuk protocol (Baytril

LRS, Polyflex, Cerenia) Ringworm: Terbinafine; spot treat with lime

dip Fleas: tiny drop of Frontline or Capstar Constipation: Laxatone, sq fluids Not eating: tube feed, Reglan, sq LRS,

antibiotic Almost ALL kittens get sick with something! Fading Kitten Syndrome- B12 injection;

usually has underlying problem, treat even if you don’t see it

Medical Guide URGENT: call person on call; start fading kitten protocol first

◦ Diarrhea◦ Abnormal twitches◦ Bleeding from any part of the body◦ Heavy breathing, gasping/mouth-breathing; breath interval is

low◦ Head slumped in food/water bowl and can’t wake up◦ Body limp and non-responsive

WATCH CLOSELY◦ Coughing◦ Wheezing◦ Sneezing◦ Tires easily◦ Loss of appetite; not eating◦ Change in attitude or behavior◦ Behavior that is unusual compared to normal behavior◦ Straining to urinate or defecate—stimulate, consult vet team if

not productive

Fading Kitten Syndrome Sometimes kittens simply fade

◦ Stop growing◦ Lose weight◦ Stop nursing/eating◦ Can’t stay upright◦ Cry continuously

Chronic illness can also pose problems (e.g., persistent diarrhea even after treatment)

If kitten becomes lethargic/gasping for air:◦ Wrap kitten in heating source/pad, protected with a blanket, like a burrito◦ Make a sugar water mixture (can also use Karo syrup or Dextrose if

available) and carefully force feed oral syringe◦ Place in bin and watch while feeding other kittens if necessary◦ Call On Call Person

Stay focused—don’t give up!

The higher you set your standards, the higher your

team will rise to meet them.

2009: Bottle Baby Team started mid-season over 250 kittens saved!

2010: over 801 kittens saved!

2011: over 1,100 kittens saved!

2012: over 2,100 kittens saved!

2013: over 1,500 kittens saved…

90% survival rate!

Let us know how things go as you expand

your Neonatal Program

andSAVE MORE

LIVES!