The arrival of spring also means that “kitten season” will soon be here too! Meet the newest addition to the FACE family…a little black and white kitten currently being fostered by FACE PR and Events Manager Athena Davis.

FACE PR & Events Manager Athena Davis

This cute little guy serves as a reminder that the coming of kitten season means that animal shelters and cat rescue groups will soon be overwhelmed by litters of kittens that need care and permanent homes. Too many unaltered cats, both strays and pets that go outside, breed in the warm months and create a huge number of homeless kittens. These kittens require a lot of care and attention and place a big burden on shelters and rescue groups.

What can you do to help? Check out these great tips from the Humane Society of the United States:

• Spay and neuter your cats. Look for low-cost spay/neuter programs in your community if you can’t afford the vet fee. Make sure to keep your cats indoors, especially if they are not fixed. A cat as young as five months old can get pregnant.
• Donate money, kitten supplies, or your volunteer time to local animal shelters. Kitten season puts a huge burden on shelters. Find out what your local shelter needs the most and offer to help!
• Volunteer with feral cat coalitions in your area to help control the stray cat population. Feral cat groups use TNR (trap, neuter, release) to reduce the number of unwanted kittens. They rely on dedicated volunteers to help make this happen.
• Foster a kitten. Love the idea of caring for a baby kitten? Talk to shelters and rescue groups in your area about becoming a foster parent. You can take in a mom and her litter, a few kittens, or just one…anything will help.
• Adopt a homeless cat. There are many great cats and kittens available for adoption during kitten season…and all year round.

FACE Grant Coordinator and Humane Educator Danae Davis