"Kitten Season"

It typically begins in the spring and ends in the fall depending on the area, climate and other factors.

Some cats can be in ‘heat’ for up to 20 weeks/year compared to 4 weeks for dogs. Cats can give birth multiple times during the season. Some sources report an estimated 20 million kittens are born in spring alone, an estimated 13 million of them from free-roaming cats.

Sadly, shelters and rescue organizations quickly become overwhelmed. There’s not enough room, resources, supplies, money and other essentials. This limits the number of kittens and cats that can be helped, and difficult decisions are made.

Kittens are adorable and so much fun. However, there are also numerous challenges when caring for them, particularly ‘neonate' kittens - those who are about 2 to 3 weeks old. In many cases, if the mom is missing, these kittens must be bottle-fed with special formula every few hours. There is not enough room or trained resources at shelters or fosters who can commit to this daunting schedule. Kittens older than 3 weeks still require extra care. They need to be kept separated to protect against illness and disease while their immune systems get stronger. It can take a couple of weeks to months of caring and raising these kittens and cats so they are healthy and socialized, insuring that each adoption is a success.

NVHS is dedicated to saving as many kittens and cats as possible and finding them their forever homes. We are also dedicated to the only real way to STOP PET OVERPOPULATION – SPAY-NEUTER, including TNR (trap, neuter, return) for feral/community cats.

We need your help. Here’s how:

• If you see stray and/or feral cats, call NVHS.

• If you find kittens, do not move them in case the mother is nearby. Keep an eye on them and contact NVHS for guidance and help.

• Being an all-volunteer, all-foster care organization, NVHS always needs foster parents – it’s fun and rewarding! Contact us for more information.
• Be an adopter and/or adoption advocate – encourage family and friends. Adopting saves lives and opens up space to care for other kittens and cats.

• Make sure you spay or neuter your pets and help spread the word to others. Contact NVHS for low-cost programs and if financial assistance is needed.

• Make a monetary donation to NHVS so we can continue our lifesaving programs – no amount is too small or too large. Many companies do a matching donation, does yours? We also need unopened canned and bagged food, litter, toys and clean towels.

Visit www.neponsethumane.org for more information.

Neponset Valley Humane Society

781-769-1990

nvhumanesociety@gmail.com

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