Kitten season is here
PET PAGE INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE
4 ways you can help them By Jenna Kretschman, Roice-Hurst Humane Society
S
pring is officially upon us, which means one thing to animal shelters: It’s kitten season! As you read this, hundreds of cats are reproducing in astronomical numbers. People are finding kittens in bushes, under trailers, inside sheds—and bringing them to shelters. While kitten season is undoubtedly the cutest time of year, caring for the constant stream of tiny felines is time consuming, expensive and emotionally taxing. An estimated 80 percent of all kittens born each year are born to outdoor community cats, and many of these kittens don’t survive past a few weeks old due to illness and other inherent dangers of living on the streets. The ones who do survive often don’t receive the human socialization they need in time to become friendly house cats, and ultimately become feral, continuing to add to the population. The good news? You can help save the lives of these kittens! Here are some ways you can help: 1. Ensure every cat you know has been spayed or neutered! The best way to solve this problem is to prevent it. Think about your cat, your friends’ cats, your neighbors’ cats and the random cats that show up on your porch. Make sure those cats are spayed or neutered, and educate other cat owners about the importance of doing the same. If you need assistance with the cost of surgery, or to borrow a humane cat trap, reach out to local animal welfare organizations for help. 2. Know what to do if you find kittens. You may stumble into a litter of kittens this spring or summer. Your next step will depend on their age, temperament and condition. When
in doubt, reach out to an animal shelter for guidance. If the kittens are newborn and look reasonably clean, quiet and plump, it’s likely that Mom is nearby. Newborns have the best chance of survival when being cared for by their mom. If the kittens are safe where they are and Mom is feral, it’s best to monitor the family until the babies are weaned around five weeks old. At that point, you can bring them into your house (or coordinate with a shelter for placement), and don’t forget to get Mom spayed! However, if you find newborn kittens and it’s clear that Mom is not coming back or the kittens are in danger, contact an animal shelter immediately for further instruction. 3. Donate kitten supplies to animal shelters. Between crucial supplies like formula, baby bottles, heating disks, food and litter, and medical care, the cost of raising even just one orphaned kitten can add up. When you donate kitten supplies or monetary gifts to animal shelters, you truly help save lives. 4. Sign up to foster kittens! Animal shelters can only care for so many animals on-site. It’s simply impossible to care for the hundreds of kittens we meet every year without the help of generous foster families. Bottle-fed kittens, weaned kittens, under-socialized kittens, nursing mom cats, and kittens with medical needs all require the love of a foster home. ■
Trust is earned Western Colorado has turned to Hilltop for compassionate care for over 70 years. Our award-winning senior living communities offer: n Luxurious apartments with views, spacious floorplans, and paid utilities n Restaurant-style dining n Beautiful outdoor spaces and walking trails n Social activities and trips
n 24-hour emergency response system n Flexible care options to meet your current and future needs n Temporary assisted stays n Customized wellness program helps you “Stay Fit for Life!”
The Commons (970) 243-3333 The Fountains (970) 243-8800 625 27 1/2 Road • TheCommonsGJ.org
3203 N. 15th Street • TheFountainsGJ.org
To learn more about how you can help, contact 970-434-7337 or www.rhhumanesociety.org. Find contact info for other local animal resources at www.beaconseniornews.com/ businesses
When you choose Hilltop Senior Living Communities, your money stays right here in our community, supporting a nonprofit that has provided Western Colorado with compassionate and comprehensive human services for over 70 years.
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | APRIL 2022 | PET PAGE |
13
