The first thing that comes to mind when you think of spring is usually romance, blossoming flowers, or warmer temperatures. But ask someone who works in an animal shelter what we think of, and the response will assuredly be kittens! It’s true. At the Richmond SPCA, spring is known as kitten season. It gears up in April and ends sometime after October. Kittens can be spotted in nearly every area of our center, and hundreds are outside of the building in foster care with specially trained volunteers who provide around-the-clock care while they grow big enough to be spayed and neutered and readied for adoption. In all last year, we took into our care more than 1,200 kittens.
During kitten season we see everything. We take care of orphaned infants, singletons, juveniles and mamas with babies. We are a part of their early stages of growth, everyday development, and the overall socialization and health of these precious creatures. Its critical to monitor mama cats to make sure their health is good and their stress level is low so that they can successfully care for their babies. Monitoring kittens is a constant part of our daily routine. We must make sure all are nursing, eating, maintaining good health, and of course growing big and strong. At the first sign that a kitten, or the mama, may not be doing well, our veterinary team is immediately alerted so that we can begin even closer observation and deliver all necessary medical treatment.
Kittens are at a higher risk for illness because of their weaker immune systems. If a kitten is orphaned (has no mama), he is missing the nutrients and immunity he would normally gain from her milk. This is why it’s crucial to monitor the mama cat’s health and to ensure she is content and comfortable. If a mama is stressed out or becoming ill,she is not likely to continue nursing her kittens. If she stops eating,then she is not getting the nutrients her body needs for strength nor does she have enough nourishment to pass on to her kittens. A mama cat who is sick can also pass on her own illness to her kittens. If she is no longer able to feed them, foster care is the best place for the kittens to receive around-the-clock bottle feeding and care. When foster parents come to pick up their charges, they are provided with all the supplies needed for both feeding and comfort -- from kitten formula and bottles to heating pads and stuffed toys to snuggle against and remind them of mom.
Although caring for kittens can be stressful, it can also warm your heart and fill you with pride. I love watching a mom nurse her babies and being a part of their development. There is nothing cuter than a kitten learning to play or discovering new things like his feet or his siblings. Caring for orphaned litters of kittens and singletons has its own rewards. Usually these guys are in a different stage of development and awareness, so playing and snuggling is a must. They require lots of attention and socialization. It’s impossible not to become attached to them all. You instantly love them, and in many ways you will play the role of mama. As wonderful as it is to watch them grow and become ready for adoption, I imagine this is what it feels like to send your child away to college. Saying goodbye, whether you’re prepared or not, is the toughest part of kitten season. Honestly, my eyes tear up at just the thought.
If you are interested in learning more about foster care, visit our Meet the Fosters page, call Tameka Peters at 804-521-1313 or email fostercare@richmondspca.org. The Richmond SPCA provides all supplies for your foster pet and welcomes foster parents who also have pets of their own.
Natalie Peck is the lead animal care technician at the Richmond SPCA. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
It's like being a new mother all over again! And my two fosters each have such different personalities. . . . they actually get jealous (at 3 weeks) and I look forward to their little meows when I walk in the door. What a delightful experience!
Posted by: Tina Williams | May 17, 2011 at 06:42 PM