# Kittens in our skunk trap - need answer fast
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 29, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239 "2024-05-29T20:13:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/1 "2024-05-29T20:13:09Z")
So we have a skunk living under our house, and the guy we called about it set up a humane trap.
No skunk - two kittens. Eyes are open but they look pretty young. We have a lot of stray cats around here and I don’t think these kittens are socialized. They look terrified every time we approach the trap.
We are calling all the shelters we can, but in the meantime I’m not sure what to do with them. I don’t really want to leave them outside in a trap, but I have no cat carriers and I don’t know if they’re rabid or anything about them. We have a four year old son with no danger awareness so we can’t exactly let them run around in our house.
They look young enough to still be nursing.
What to do? Most of the shelters are closed for the day. We may have them overnight.
Any advice welcome!
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/2 "2024-05-29T20:17:44Z")
Let them go, but put out some food and water.
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### Author:  [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/3 "2024-05-29T20:24:25Z")
Depending on how young they are, food might not help. Hopefully **Spice\_Weasel** can get hold of a rescue that can take them. Very young kittens need their mother, or someone who knows how to take care of them.
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### Author:  [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/4 "2024-05-29T20:27:09Z")
Oh poor babies! Can you maybe leave the trap open and disabled so their mother can get to them while you figure out the next thing?
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/5 "2024-05-29T20:34:16Z")
> [@Infovore](#):
>
> Depending on how young they are, food might not help.
True, but it could help the nursing mother.
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### Author:  [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/6 "2024-05-29T20:34:41Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> What to do? Most of the shelters are closed for the day. We may have them overnight.
> **[What to do if you find kittens](https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-if-you-find-kittens)**
>
> Crucial considerations before you scoop up young kittens
The first suggestion is to give the mom kitty a little time to come back. Perhaps put out a little cat kibble for her so she can make milk for her babies, she’ll take care of feeding them. If not, that website above has a link for feeding kittens part way down the page.
First thing I’d do is call the person who placed the trap and have them come back and release the kittens so their mom can reunite with them.
Then some watchful waiting before you need to do more than put out water and food for mama cat.
It’s high kitten season, most likely every cat rescue/humane organization in the country is overwhelmed and over capacity, even if they could answer the phone.
Call the person who set the trap to release the kittens. Put out mom cat food and water. Watch patiently from a distance.
@JaneDoe42 might have helpful advice, as might @Johnny_L.A or other Mumpers.
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### Author:  [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/7 "2024-05-29T20:36:21Z")
The neighbor knew a lady who knew a lady who knew a cat rescue. They took the kittens with the trap and will get them out, and they will be taken care of.
I was not aware of this but apparently they were in there all day.
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/8 "2024-05-29T20:39:33Z")
Good grief. I hope they’re actually cats. Not skunk kits.
Black and white? Eeek!
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### Author:  [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/9 "2024-05-29T20:45:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> True, but it could help the nursing mother.
Yes, that’s a good point.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/10 "2024-05-30T00:56:34Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> The neighbor knew a lady who knew a lady who knew a cat rescue. They took the kittens with the trap and will get them out, and they will be taken care of.
Good news!
As to putting food and water out- helping the nursing mother-
> [@Infovore](#):
>
> Yes, that’s a good point.
Absolutely. Many kitten die when mom can’t get enough food.,
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### Author:  [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/11 "2024-05-30T01:45:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> As to putting food and water out- helping the nursing mother-
Mama may still be out there. And may still be hungry. And may even still have kittens to feed – two may not have been the whole litter.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/12 "2024-05-30T01:48:26Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#):
>
> Mama may still be out there. And may still be hungry. And may even still have kittens to feed – two may not have been the whole litter.
Excellent points.
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### Author:  [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/13 "2024-05-30T20:09:49Z")
If they’re black, you can get some white spray paint & prank your wildlife guy.
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### Author:  [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/14 "2024-05-30T20:22:02Z")
If we’re gonna make jokes, I’d just like to note that every time I see this thread I get Skip to M’Lou stuck in my head.
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/15 "2024-05-30T20:42:00Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> Good grief. I hope they’re actually cats. Not skunk kits.
Wait?! You have to **build** skunks?
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/16 "2024-05-30T21:37:00Z")
Heh. I’d _accidentally_ on purpose lose the stinky gland.
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### Author:  [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/17 "2024-05-31T17:44:10Z")
Whelp. Now we’ve got a groundhog. Come on, skunk.
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### Author:  [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/18 "2024-05-31T18:29:42Z")
Are you playing some weird slot machine???
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### Author:  [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/19 "2024-05-31T19:16:59Z")
I can hear that skunk snickering all the way from here.
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### Author:  [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kittens-in-our-skunk-trap-need-answer-fast/1002239/20 "2024-05-31T20:10:49Z")
Them’s the breaks kid.
You trap what you trap. That’s an actual hunter/trapper law.
Thank the stars we are not having to feed ourselves on these fickle laws.
(I’m assuming groundhog makes a better stew than skunk. Kitten veal wouldn’t work either)
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