Coping with kitten season

Posted 8/21/12

REGION — With early spring starts “kitten season,” the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters with homeless cats and kittens. As shelters struggle to house as many of these …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Coping with kitten season

Posted

REGION — With early spring starts “kitten season,” the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters with homeless cats and kittens. As shelters struggle to house as many of these cats as possible, the risk of disease increases dramatically. The influx of kittens also means that difficult decisions must be made about which kittens and cats can be saved.

How can you help? It’s simple; spay and neuter your own cat and encourage others to do the same. Hormone-driven unaltered cats tend to sneak outdoors in search of mates. Mating just once can start a domino effect that can result in hundreds of unwanted animals.

If you find a litter of kittens, leave them where you found them. Female cats often hide their kittens in safe places while they go off hunting for food. In the very rare event that the mother cat doesn’t return, consider taking the kittens in and caring for them yourself until they are at least eight weeks of age, as mortality rates for young kittens in shelters are high. Information about caring for kittens and their moms can be found online at www.2ndchance.info/felinelabor.htm. You can also call 845/856-3677 for advice and assistance. Donations for the care of kittens are always needed and welcome at the Humane Society of Port Jervis, 202 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here