[header] How to catch a stray kitten [title] Determine if the mother cat is nearby. [step] When you see a kitten who appears to be alone, your first step is to figure out if the mother cat is still in the picture. It is possible that she has abandoned her kitten, but it could also be that she is simply out hunting for food. 
The only way to know whether the kitten is motherless is to wait. You will need to observe the situation for more than just a few minutes.