A Day in the Life at The Kitten Cradle
Spoiler: It’s adorable… and a little exhausting.
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at The Kitten Cradle? It’s not all cuddles and cat naps (though we love those too). From round-the-clock feedings to late-night brainstorms, life at the rescue is a whirlwind of tiny paws, dirty dishes, and big hearts.
Rise and Shine… and Feed. Again.
Our day usually starts with one thing: hungry kittens. Bottle babies eat every two hours. Yes—every two. This means alarms going off in the middle of the night, bleary-eyed mixing of formula, and carefully warming up bottles just right. These little ones can’t feed themselves, and we’re committed to making sure they get the best start possible.
Not bottle babies? Don’t worry—they’re still keeping us on our toes. Wet food feedings are a multi-times-a-day affair, and you better believe they know when you’re even thinking about cracking open a can.
Cleanliness is Cuteness
Once a day (at least), we do a full kennel clean-out. Sanitation is everything when you’ve got tiny, vulnerable immune systems and incoming kittens from all over. Bleach, gloves, fresh linens—it’s a full routine. And while it might not be glamorous, it’s one of the most important parts of keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Socialization Station
Kittens don’t just need food and shelter—they need love, too. Every kitten at The Kitten Cradle gets one-on-one time to help them grow into confident, friendly cats. If they’re past quarantine, they get the chance to meet other kittens, adult cats, and sometimes even dogs (from a safe distance, of course). Our dog, by the way, is very interested in kitten playtime and watches their antics with the most hopeful eyes.
Inbox Overflow and Dinner Table Brainstorms
Outside the nursery? We’re juggling emails about kitten surrenders, vet appointments, adoption inquiries, and coordinating with fosters. Social media posts are carefully crafted (usually after someone spills coffee on their phone) to share the stories of our little fuzzballs and find them the perfect homes.
And when the work day ends? It doesn’t. Dinner conversations with my husband often turn into full-on planning sessions—events, new ideas, what worked, what didn’t. He’s probably heard the phrase “kitten poop consistency” more than he ever imagined when we got married.
Why We Do It
It’s a lot—truly. But we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every purr, every adoption, every “first” for a scared little kitten makes the long hours and short nights worth it.
We’ll keep doing the dirty work, the bottle-feeding, the post-writing, and the daydreaming—because these tiny lives deserve a big future.
🐾 Want to help? Whether you’re interested in fostering, donating, or just spreading the word, we’d love to hear from you. Visit thekittencradle.org to learn more or send us a message!