Debunking myths about mother cats

ARPO and Kitty Correspondent KJ McGlinn are working to dispel misconceptions about mother cats and promote upcoming events to support them and their kittens.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:55pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting a mother cat gently watching over her nursing kittens in an intimate, dreamlike scene.A mother cat's tender care for her newborn kittens is often overlooked, but rescue organizations work to ensure their wellbeing and dispel harmful misconceptions.Indianapolis Today

Local animal rescue organization ARPO and Kitty Correspondent KJ McGlinn are working to debunk common misconceptions about mother cats, such as the belief that they abandon their kittens. The effort aims to highlight the often-overlooked needs of mother cats, particularly as Mother's Day approaches. Rescue advocates say mother cats may stay nearby while keeping their distance to monitor their litters or leave temporarily to forage for food, and that finding clean, healthy kittens is a sign they are being cared for.

Why it matters

Many people mistakenly believe mother cats abandon their kittens, when in reality they are often protecting them or searching for food. This misconception can lead to kittens being unnecessarily removed from their mothers, and mother cats struggling to find homes as they are often overlooked for adoption compared to their kittens.

The details

Lori White, a representative for ARPO, an all-foster-based rescue in the Indianapolis area, said that while kittens are frequently adopted, mother cats often struggle to find homes and need additional support. KJ McGlinn, a Kitty Correspondent, said misconceptions about mother cats are widespread, with many people believing the cats have abandoned their kittens when they are actually just monitoring them from a distance or searching for food. White said that if people find kittens, they can check for the mother's return by putting flour around the area and looking for tracks, and that clean, healthy kittens are a sign they are being cared for.

  • The featured litter was born on March 30 and is about two weeks old.
  • A Kitten Shower will be held on April 26 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Smitten Kitten Cat Café.
  • PurrCon at PopCon will feature kitten therapy sessions on May 8-10, presented by Dr. Elsey's.

The players

ARPO

A local animal rescue organization in the Indianapolis area that is all-foster-based.

KJ McGlinn

A Kitty Correspondent who is working with ARPO to dispel misconceptions about mother cats.

Lori White

A representative for ARPO who says mother cats often struggle to find homes and need additional support.

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What they’re saying

“One of the things that was fascinating to me when I got involved with rescue is we hear so often that, 'Oh, I found these kittens, the mama abandoned them.' And mama cats are getting the worst rap. That is not what's happening.”

— KJ McGlinn, Kitty Correspondent

“Mama cats have a tendency of wanting to watch from afar. They're kind of watching their kittens.”

— Lori White, ARPO Representative

“If you find an area with baby kittens, put some flour around where they are. If you see tracks in that flour, you know the mama cat is coming back.”

— Lori White, ARPO Representative

What’s next

To protect pregnant cats and their litters, ARPO recommends bringing stray cats indoors when possible, such as providing a space in a garage or bathroom for them to have their babies in a safe place.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of understanding the natural behaviors of mother cats and dispelling common misconceptions that can lead to kittens being unnecessarily removed from their mothers. By supporting mother cats and their litters, rescue organizations like ARPO can help ensure the wellbeing of both the mothers and their kittens.