Through the end of April, the community is invited to donate items to help care for this year’s incoming kittens. The most urgently needed donations are KMR powder or liquid kitten milk replacer, Fresh News unscented non-clumping paper litter, Purina Pro Plan wet pate kitten food (no seafood flavors, please), Royal Canin Mother & Babycat dry food or mousse wet canned food, Pet-Ag bottle kits and Miracle nipples, and digital thermometers (flexible tip and waterproof).

Kitten season typically starts when the weather warms and intact cats reproduce at a more rapid rate than they do during more frigid temperatures. Continuing during the spring and summer, it is not uncommon for HSWC’s number of kitten intakes to quadruple at any time during the busy season. Because infant animals require more time and resources than adults, they are typically cared for offsite by volunteer foster families until they are ready for adoption.

“Most of the supplies we are able to give to foster families each year come from the Kitten Shower,” said Sarah Verdugo, Manager of Lifesaving Programs. “We need your help to make sure our foster families have everything they need to take care of the animals until they’re ready for adoption.”

“Currently, we have 23 cats and kittens in foster care, but that will exponentially increase soon,” added Verdugo. “In fact, in the last four years, we’ve averaged a 614% increase in the number of cats in foster care from the beginning of March to the end of May.”

To raise funding for supplies, virtual raffles will be held weekly on the “HSWC Foster Care” Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hswcmdfostercare), beginning March 13th. Raffles include tattoo gift certificates, therapeutic massage packages and more.

Members of the HSWC Foster Care program will also celebrate the donation drive with a hybrid Kitten Shower Party on Saturday, April 1st from 1 pm – 3 pm. There will be snacks and raffle prizes at the shelter for the in-person event. The virtual aspect of the party will be hosted on the “HSWC Foster Care” Facebook page with live streaming of the raffle drawings at 3 pm. Virtual and in-person attendees are encouraged to donate items through the Amazon Baby Registry (search using names Sarah Verdugo and Kim Jones) or contribute to the online Facebook fundraiser.

HSWC is actively seeking more fosters to help with the influx of kittens. Anyone who would like to donate to the foster program or become a foster parent can contact fostercare@hswcmd.org.

The Humane Society of Washington County exists to promote the welfare of companion and domestic animals through educational programs and initiatives that reduce pet overpopulation, endorse fostering, enrich adoptions, and encourage responsible pet guardianship.