Animal Welfare Professionals

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

Hi, Ruth!  I've been rescuing neonatal kittens for more than 25 years now and I understand your frustration!  Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your live outcomes, and buying an expensive incubator is not a requirement.  Maddies University provides very helpful information (especially the Stomach Capacity and Feeding Chart), but if you think it could help I'd be happy to talk with you and see if we can figure out what you can do to save more tiny lives.  Let me know if you'd like to connect!

Nancy

Little Orphans Kitten Rescue, Inc.

Louisville, KY

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

Hi, Ruth!  I've been rescuing neonatal kittens for more than 25 years now and I understand your frustration!  Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your live outcomes, and buying an expensive incubator is not a requirement.  Maddies University provides very helpful information (especially the Stomach Capacity and Feeding Chart), but if you think it could help I'd be happy to talk with you and see if we can figure out what you can do to save more tiny lives.  Let me know if you'd like to connect!

Nancy

Little Orphans Kitten Rescue, Inc.

Louisville, KY

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

Hi Ruth, I have been bottle feeding kittens for about 5 years now and know that they can be so fragile and sometimes with our very best intentions they still don't make it.  That being said, I have found a ton of useful tools/tips/information from The Kitten Lady's website.  I have always gotten along just fine using a pet heating pad on it's lowest setting.  But recently my organization applied for a grant from Petfinder and got funding for some cat/kitten enrichment supplies.  We were able to get an incubator so we're pretty excited to give it a try this spring!  Thanks for all you do to help the kittens in need.  

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

Hi Ruth

Our small rescue is the only one that takes neonatal kittens in our region of Portugal. Because of this, we bought an incubator a year ago and it made a big difference. It took a significant burden from the primary carers with no need to worry about kittens getting too cold on heating pads especially overnight. 

They're not actually that expensive at the lower end although we got a larger one, which was about 700€, rather than one in the 300-400€ range.

I would suggest that you don't get a large one as we actually found it is a bit too big. Though it's been useful recently for another rescuer who had newborn puppies found in the trash at Christmas and works for larger kittens needing humidity/recovery from hospital stays, I would go smaller next time.

This year, we will try and use it more for sick kittens when we don't have neonatals in, which will mean moving it. But it's light enough that it isn't an issue. The smaller ones are a bit more portable for sure!

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

Hi Bettina, I'm curious to know where you found the lower priced incubtors for Portugal?   Looking for one for Montenegro, we've only found ones from about 1300 euros up.  In fact, even in the states I haven't seen many lesser priced ones.  A European supplier would make the shipping more reasonable, though.

Thanks!

Hi Ruth

Our small rescue is the only one that takes neonatal kittens in our region of Portugal. Because of this, we bought an incubator a year ago and it made a big difference. It took a significant burden from the primary carers with no need to worry about kittens getting too cold on heating pads especially overnight. 

They're not actually that expensive at the lower end although we got a larger one, which was about 700€, rather than one in the 300-400€ range.

I would suggest that you don't get a large one as we actually found it is a bit too big. Though it's been useful recently for another rescuer who had newborn puppies found in the trash at Christmas and works for larger kittens needing humidity/recovery from hospital stays, I would go smaller next time.

This year, we will try and use it more for sick kittens when we don't have neonatals in, which will mean moving it. But it's light enough that it isn't an issue. The smaller ones are a bit more portable for sure!

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I am getting so much great advice - thank you everyone.  I originally looked at large incubators on Amazon and they are over $1,000.   I would only use this for kittens so  think a smaller one might work just as well and would be more cost effective.   So - my next question - does anyone have recommendations on a neonatal kitten incubator that is good quality, reasonably priced, and perhaps I can take back and forth with me from work to home???    Thank you in advance.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I am getting so much great advice - thank you everyone.  I originally looked at large incubators on Amazon and they are over $1,000.   I would only use this for kittens so  think a smaller one might work just as well and would be more cost effective.   So - my next question - does anyone have recommendations on a neonatal kitten incubator that is good quality, reasonably priced, and perhaps I can take back and forth with me from work to home???    Thank you in advance.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

#CommunityCatManagement
#FosterPrograms
#Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization

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Ruth Olson
Director
Sumter Humane Society, Inc.
------------------------------

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I've been fostering neonate kittens for almost 20 years, and one of only a handful of people with our organization that does neonates. This past fall I did a Go Fund Me and was able to raise enough funds to purchase 2! I purchased both through this company as they run really good deals pretty regularly, and at the time I purchased they were around $600 each;

https://www.ojcommerce.com/brinsea-tlc-40-eco-series-ii-brooder-intensive-care-unit-for-young-sick-or-injured-birds-small-animals-ushd4001cA

I also have a small portable Brinsea incubator that I use for transports to rescue partners, to/from work, etc. I've been using that one for singles/pairs for a couple of years and I find it has made a big difference.  Consistent temperatures, environment, etc

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Jennifer Fly
Animal Control Officer Supervisor
Chesapeake Animal Services

Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2023 10:44 AM
From: Ruth Olson
Subject: Would an incubator make that much of a difference?

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

I viewed the Dallas Animal Services' Kitten and Puppy Neonatal Guide in the forum library and have a question.

We have a steady stream of newborn kittens entering our shelter every summer and I am the only one that will foster but lose so many. My only training has been buy formula, feed every two hours, and potty. It is so discouraging. This year I am determined to be more successful and doing tons of research. My question - would an incubator make that much difference? The good ones are pricey and I would need to purchase one for the shelter and one for my home as they travel back and forth to work with me. I have always just used heating pads? Any feedback would be appreciated.   

#CommunityCatManagement
#FosterPrograms
#Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization

------------------------------
Ruth Olson
Director
Sumter Humane Society, Inc.
------------------------------