If you actively support your local animal shelter, you may know that it is now “kitten season.” Because many people don’t spay or neuter their cats, shelters are flooded with unwanted kittens throughout the summer. Unfortunately, shelters often lack the resources to support all of the cats they receive, so many are euthanized.
There are several ways you can take action during the summer to improve the lives of homeless cats and kittens.
Spay or neuter your cats
First, and most important, if you are a cat owner, please spay or neuter your kittens as soon as possible after they turn eight weeks old. I know more than one good cat owner who had a kitten that got pregnant at a very young age, before the owner was able to get her spayed. If you’re having trouble paying for the operation, you may be able to find a low-cost spay/neuter program near you.
If you have feral cats in your area, consider promoting a trap-neuter-return program to reduce the population of feral cats and kittens.
Adopt cats
If you are able to take in one or more new pets, you can do a great deal of good by adopting one or even two cats — preferably adults. When people choose a cat at an animal shelter, they frequently choose a kitten over an adult. If you can adopt one or two adult cats, you may save them from being euthanized. Cats sometimes come to the shelter with a “buddy” from their previous home; it’s wonderful if you can keep these cats together. And your shelter may offer a deal on a multi-cat adoption, such as an “adopt one cat, get one free” special.
Provide foster care
Sometimes cats and kittens need foster care. The shelter may lack the space for all of the cats that are brought in during kitten season, or they may lack the resources to care for cats and kittens with special needs. If you want to provide a temporary home to one or more cats, contact your local animal shelter and ask them about how you might provide foster care.
Make a donation
Animal shelters need your support. Our local humane society is supported solely through donations. If people don’t give, they can’t provide for all of the animals that are brought in. In addition to donating money, you may be able to donate supplies to your shelter; check their website or call them to see if they need anything you can give. Your shelter may also need volunteer support, particularly if you are willing to make a long-term commitment.
In addition to donating to your shelter, you may want to consider donating to a spay/neuter program in your area.
I’d love to see a world where kitten season was not a problem. Until that day comes, let’s do what we can to reduce the number of cats that are euthanized.