Fosters Direly Needed For Influx Of Kittens At Harford Co. Shelter

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Kitten season has sprung and right now, the Humane Society of Harford County is overflowing with vulnerable babies who need foster homes to survive.

Many of the kittens sadly arrive at the HSHC without their mothers and require around-the-clock care that can't be provided in the shelter setting. Staying in the shelter also bumps up their risk of contracting an illness with a fragile immune system.

Kittens cannot legally be adopted until they are eight weeks ago, said Erin Long, spokesperson for the HSHC. The kittens needing fosters can range in age from just a day old to seven weeks old.

"Until they're about four weeks old, they are still nursing from a bottle, and then they'll wean to soft food and harder kibble as their teeth come in," Long told Patch.

"Newborn kittens without their mother are the single most at-risk animals in our shelter," added Kelly Comerford, clinic manager at HSHC. "They need frequent feedings, constant monitoring and a quiet place to grow. The sooner we can get them into foster homes, the better their chances of surviving and thriving. The best part is that we provide all the supplies, medical care, and training—you simply provide the love."

Fostering kittens also reaps so many rewards for those who provide the care.

"When I used to foster, it was so fun watching them go from helpless little potatoes into wobbly and uncoordinated gremlins, and finally become confident and snuggly companions. It was also the best feeling in the world when they were adopted and moved on into homes of their own," Long told Patch.

Volunteer Cassandra Renner's son helps her foster pets.

“I love watching the animals blossom into the amazing pets that they are. Now my 7-year-old son is lending his little hand and is the biggest help. He’s so calm and gentle with the kittens," Renner told Patch.

Foster Kristy Whitten loves volunteering at all stages of a pet's life.

“Loving and caring for cats at the beginning or end of their lives — I live for their sweet purrs and kisses," Whitten told Patch.

It's a family affair for the Rommelman family, too, when it comes to fostering.

“Some of my favorite memories are of the entire family sitting on the bathroom floor with kittens climbing over and around us. We are all in various stages of feeding, cleaning, burping and having fun … those are precious moments," Rebecca Rommelman told Patch.

Volunteers can foster for as short as a few days or throughout the kitten season. HSHC staff will teach volunteers everything they need to know to care for the kittens.

The HSHC also needs dog fosters to help puppies learn home manners, medical fosters able to care for pets recovering from illness or surgery, short- and long-term foster families, and adults age 18 or older with reliable transportation who can bring foster pets to scheduled check-ups and vaccine appointments

"Fostering doesn't just save lives—it prepares pets for success," Comerford added. "Living in a home helps them build confidence, learn routines and become even more adoptable. Every foster family plays a vital role in helping pets find their forever homes."

For more information about fostering with HSHC, visit https://www.harfordshelter.org/foster-a-pet and apply to become a foster online.