Kitten Season is Here! Learn How You Can Help.

By Rainier Veterinary Hospital Cats, Preventive Care, Resources, Treatments abandoned, cat, cat health, emergency, kittens, neonates, stray, veterinary

At Rainier Veterinary Hospital and Rainier Beach Veterinary Hospital, our teams are always so excited to meet all the new kittens that come in to our practice. The owners are so happy to show off their new treasures while simultaneously making sure these new little ones are protected with vaccines, the right diets and the right plan for a long, healthy life.

Not all kittens are so lucky to have already found their forever homes. In fact, “kitten season,” late spring/early summer, is often the most overwhelming time of the year for shelters and rescue organizations. Shelters across the country receive thousands of pregnant cats and kittens that max out their space, staff and budgets. Literally, so very many kittens and not enough volunteers to care for them or enough supplies to meet their needs.

This is where you can help. Join our team in helping make a difference in the lives of local kittens while supporting those organizations doing their best to care for them and find them their new homes. Recommendations follow:

Check with your local shelter or rescue to see if they have a wish list. This way you can donate exactly what that organization needs. Some of these items may include wet and dry kitten food, towels, carriers, bedding, treats, etc. Every little bit helps.
Are you knowledgeable about cats and want to help save a life? Now is your chance. Contact your local shelter to see about potentially fostering. Most of these organizations have classes and orientations in advance so you will be ready to dive-in and help with the care when it is needed most.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to care for tiny “bottle baby” kittens? There is an especially great need for this type of support and care during kitten season. Shelters often take in orphaned or abandoned kittens who are under four weeks of age. These babies need to be bottle-fed every few hours and even those who are slightly older need to be isolated until their immune systems get stronger. We recommend contacting your local shelter or rescue today to see if they offer this type of training. You would be a lifesaver not only to the organization, but to the kittens who wouldn’t survive without this specialized care.
Is your house in need of a new pet? Considering finding a another cat to round out your family? Well, adopting an adult cat during this time of year can help free up much needed space at the shelter for incoming cats with kittens.
How about giving up a little of your free time? Volunteering this time of year at the local shelter or rescue organization can be invaluable to the team on the ground. Extra hands are essential to caring for all the incoming kittens.
How about making sure your pets are spayed and neutered? Once a cat reaches five months of age, she can become pregnant. Let’s all do what we can to help prevent unwanted litters.

New to the area and wondering where to begin? Here are some local shelters and organizations doing their part to help cats and kittens:

Kittens bring so much joy into this world. Let’s do what we can to ensure they have a bright future ahead and are on the road to finding their forever homes.

(Photos courtesy foster volunteer Sarah from the Alley Cat Project.)