Carole and All AnimlalsWelcome are absolutely right. A 2 year old doesn't know any better. I feel very bad for that poor kitten.

When people come into the shelter looking for a pet for their kid the first thing I do is ask the age of the kid. People whose kids are young, I tell them that it's best they get an older cat because then the cat can defend itself should the child get rough. The shelter does NOT adopt out young kittens out to children under 5 years old. I think that's a great rule. Afterall, we are only looking out for the best interest of the animal.

Tonya, you did the right thing. I would also try and talk to the mother about possibly rehoming the kitten till the kid is ALOT older or offer to take the kitten. How about fostering the kitten till the kid is older??? I would do whatever I had to do to try and get that kitten outta there. A 5 week old kitten is too young to be away from it's mother, let alone be mauled by an infant.