Each year, and the ARL sees an influx of kittens and mamas coming through our doors in the early springtime. Read on to find out more about kitten season and how you can help!
Why does kitten season exist?
Kitten season exists because there are a lot of male and female cats in the community that are not spayed or neutered. Spaying/neutering cats helps control the pet population and would reduce the number of kittens arriving at the ARL every spring through fall. A mother cat can give birth to 2-3 litters yearly, with 1-8 kittens per litter. That means one female cat may give birth to 32 kittens in a 16-month period. Now think about 10 cats each having 32 kittens. That’s 320 kittens in a little over a year, and that’s a lot of meows!
How does it affect us at the ARL?
It takes thousands of hours and countless supplies to take care of all the kittens that arrive at the ARL each year. These tiny babies and their mamas need food, litter, bedding and toys, as well as vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, microchips and preventative care before they’re ready for adoption! Thanks to our ARL Foster Network, these kittens don’t stay in the shelter long, but the same supplies are still used in the foster homes.
What should I do if I find an orphaned kitten?
Great question! You can find out here.
How can I help during kitten season?
- SPAY/NEUTER: One of the best ways to help is by spaying and neutering. The ARL offers low-cost spay/neuter programs for those who qualify, and that includes programs for owned cats and community cats. Learn more about these programs here.
- VOLUNTEER: Join our Kitten Nursery volunteer team! Learn how you can help feed, care for, and support NICU kittens and pregnant and nursing cats. Sign up for a Volunteer Information Session today!
- FOSTER: Have extra room in your house to care for some kittens and/or moms with kittens? The ARL relies on people like you! Learn how to start changing lives as an ARL foster here!
- DONATE: We are always in need of items to care for these kittens. You can find all of our most-needed items on our Fetch List. You can also purchase items from our Amazon Wish List and Chewy Wish List and they’ll be shipped directly to the ARL – so easy!
