Wait Until 8 Strives to Keep Kittens Out of Shelter

Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center is taking steps to prevent cat overcrowding at its Falkenburg Road shelter this summer, but it needs some help to do so.

Through the newly launched Wait Until 8 program, residents can receive the tools they need to keep stray and abandoned kittens at home until they turn at least 8 weeks old. The initiative is a partnership between the county, The First Place for Pets and the nonprofit group Alley Cat Allies.

The program provides residents who find kittens with a free Kitten Survival Kit that contains formula, bottles and other necessary care items courtesy of Alley Cat Allies.

The reason for the program’s launch is simple, the county explained in a media release.

“Historically, the number of cats/kittens coming into the shelter during the summer months increases from around 300 to nearly 1,200 at peak season,” the county noted. The program is meant to help curb those numbers before the peak season arrives.

Here’s more information that potential volunteers need to be aware of:

• Kittens must be healthy and between the ages of 2 to 6 weeks
• They can be returned to the shelter at 8 weeks of age or when they weigh at least 2 pounds for potential adoption
• Volunteers in the program must agree to provide all care during the waiting period
• When returned to the shelter at 8 weeks, kittens will be spayed or neutered
• Volunteers may adopt their kittens following spaying or neutering with all fees waived, including county pet licensing fees and micro-chipping
• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old
• Students who take part in the program may be eligible for Bright Futures hours
• Kittens whose eyes have not yet open are not eligible for medical reasons

Kitten Survival Kits are available at the Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Road, in Tampa. For more information, call 813-744-5660 or visit www.HillsboroughCounty.org/Pets.

Image via Shutterstock

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