Humane Society of Elmore County News
June is Adopt a Cat month for good reason as all Shelters are in the midst of what we call “Kitten season” meaning we are being simply inundated with kittens – orphaned kittens, single kittens, multiple litters of kittens, momma cats with kittens, sick kittens, feral kittens, just kittens and more kittens every day.
From 1 January – 30 May we have taken in total of 668 cats and the monthly numbers below show the exponential increase in kittens starting this month. We will see these terribly high numbers all through June & July before they will start to decline so if you are wanting to add a kitten (or cat) to your family, summer is definitely the best time when the need is greatest.
Month Cats Kittens Total
January 53 35 88
February 56 35 91
March 82 51 133
April 55 85 140
May 49 167 216
Total 286 382 668
The truly sad reality is that for every kitten surrendered to our shelter there are that many and more out in the community looking for homes. If you just take a quick look at social media, signs in yards, free kittens in parking lots, Vet Clinics, friends and acquaintances advertising kittens tells you that there are simply more kittens looking for homes than there are takers.
While our Shelter kittens are all spayed or neutered prior to leaving us when adopted, far too many of the hundreds of kittens being given away in the community will not be spayed/neutered in time to prevent their ‘oops’ litter and the vicious cycle of kittens with nowhere to go will only continue. Many wonderful families give homes to kittens and cats that show up on their property but if you want to be a part of the solution – make their spay or neuter (it takes two to tango) appointment immediately. Vets can attest at seeing pregnant five-month-old kittens so if you are going to keep the stray that shows up, and since you may not be able to get an immediate appointment, please make that appointment soonest to prevent yet another unnecessary litter.
While our kittens will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped prior to adoption ($50 adoption fee), if you do get a free kitten, please take it to your Veterinarian immediately to get checked out and get its vaccinations started. Please also make (and keep) that appointment for the kitten’s spay or neuter no later than 5-6 months old so you don’t end up with a litter in need of a home in the fall.
And, of course, we are also taking in far too many dogs and puppies as well – puppies just tend to come all twelve months of the year. Getting that vaccination and subsequent spay/neuter appointment for your new puppy is just as vital – please do your part to prevent our very real pet overpopulation crisis.
