With the arrival of summer, comes a spike in the average daily temperature but it also brings a spike in the dangers faced by kittens.
Known as Kitten Season, this is the time of year when the number of homeless litters of kittens peak to unmanageable levels thanks to a rise in cat births, straining the already minimal resources of most local animal shelters.
Beginning in spring, peaking in late spring/early summer, and ending in the fall, Kitten Season happens because of the birth of too many kittens due to the many cats who are not spayed or neutered.
Resources that are already hard to come by such as food, money, and space, are often stretched to their limit as shelters and other rescue groups, which often take in thousands of adult animals every year, are inundated with homeless kittens.
As shelters and rescue groups struggle to house as many cats as possible, the risk of illness to the kittens increase.
Cats who are not spayed or neutered will normally be driven by their hormones to sneak outside in search of a mate. This mating process will launch a domino effect resulting in hundreds or even thousands of unwanted, orphaned animals.
Those large numbers of unwanted kittens, when not left alone to fend for themselves, often turn up at local animal shelters where they are medically examined and often euthanized if they are found to have any illnesses.
Although the best way of preventing such a fate is to have cats spayed or neutered, another way of preventing the widespread proliferation of unwanted felines is through the controversial Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.
Through the TNR program, free-roaming feral (untamed) cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, medically treated, and then returned to the areas in which they were found unless those areas are deemed unsafe in which case, they are relocated to farmyard homes.
The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) of The Plains, VA, is opposed to TNR on the grounds that it’s not effective in reducing feral cat populations, which are reducing bird populations at an alarming rate. The ABC says feral cats kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds annually in the United States.
The ABC says TNR does not work because the actual rate of abandonment is low. In addition, they believe feral cats will stay where they are and continue to endanger the lives of local bird populations. ABC says the traditional approach by animal control to catch and kill feral cats may temporarily reduce the number of feral cats in a given area but intact survivors continue to breed and other cats move into the area. ABC calls this the “vacuum effect.”
An alternative to TNR, according to the ABC, is to trap and neuter feral cats, then relocate them to enclosed cat sanctuaries or shelters, or to adopt them out to safe and comfortable homes. While kittens are in the greatest demand by potential pet owners, there are benefits to be had by adopting adult cats.
The North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, NY, has been in the business of saving the lives of cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens for the past 71 years and advocates adopting an adult cat since many of them get left behind by potential pet owners who literally have their pick of the litter of the cute kittens that are flooding animal shelters during this time of the year.
According to the North Shore Animal League America, adopting a mature cat is less maintenance because they are independent and do not need the constant care of a kitten. Adult cats are also very often litter box trained and are more likely to have already been spayed, neutered, and fully vaccinated.
One thing people can do to aid in the plight of abandoned kittens is to make sure their cats are spayed and neutered as well as getting family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Those interested in helping during kitten season can also serve as adoptive parents for any kittens that are brought to animal shelters during this time of year.
KITTEN TIPS According to the website of the Humane Society of the United States, there are five ways you can help curb homeless kitten overpopulation:
1. Spay or neuter your cats
Cats can become pregnant as young as five months of age. Fortunately, kittens as young as two months and weighing two pounds can be safely altered. Many people ask their veterinarian to spay or neuter their pet. If you have trouble affording the fee, check this list of groups offering spay/neuter assistance. And while it’s always safest to keep your cat inside, it’s especially important to do so before the cat is spayed or neutered. Keep your cat happy indoors and learn how to provide safe outdoor time.
2. Help your local shelter during kitten season (and all year)
Donate supplies, money or your time. Contact your local shelter to find out what’s needed most. You can also volunteer at your local shelter’s adoption events or promotions.
3. Care for homeless or feral (not tame) cats in your area
Work with your local animal control or feral cat group to help manage your neighborhood’s feral and stray cat populations. More about helping feral cats.
4. Become a foster cat parent
Contact your local shelter or rescue group to learn more about becoming a foster parent for cats or kittens in need.
5. Adopt a cat
Open your home to new cat or adopt a playmate for your existing pets. Check out The Shelter Pet Project to find a new feline friend.