If there was ever a time you wanted a kitten, now may be the time to adopt one.
Jennifer Harkness, development manager at the P.E.I. Humane Society, says there is an incredible influx of kittens at the shelter.
Fifty-two kittens came into foster care in May and two mother cats are about to give birth.
“We have kittens coming in every day,” said Harkness in an interview with The Guardian.
In comparison to other years, the shelter had 26 kittens in May 2017 and 21 kittens in May 2016.
There are currently 90 kittens and mothers at the shelter.
Harkness says they are not sure why the shelter is seeing double the number of kittens this year.
“This time last year it was quite slow, and the kittens came at a slow and steady pace throughout the year. And then we kind of got a crunch around the fall, but it was never that overwhelming,” said Harkness. “Whether it’s the weather or there is, for whatever reason, more cats this year, we are definitely feeling the burden.”
The kittens are of varying ages, including neonatal kittens that need to be fed around the clock, older kittens without mothers and kittens with mothers.
People looking to adopt a kitten that is eight weeks old will have to wait a little longer with the shelter’s new policy.
Shelter veterinarian Dr. Rhonda MacDonald recently participated in a seminar that included some research about cats from birth to adults and how socialization continues to be important until they are 12 weeks of age.
“What they’ve come to believe is that within that eight-week to 12-week time as kittens, it’s just as important for their socialization to stay with their litter mates, and it actually reduces behavioural issues in cats.”
The shelter now waits until the kittens are 12 weeks of age to give them that little extra socialization time.
“We are hoping that makes healthier and happier cats.”
Harkness said most of the kittens that came in were strays, and she is thankful to the public for bringing them in after finding them in garages, barns and cottages.
“We want the public to know that you can bring any stray kittens to the P.E.I. Humane Society. If there is a mother cat, please bring the mother cat as well. If you need help trying to trap the mom cat or kittens or if you are concerned about their health, you can also call us.”
Harkness adds that they recently eliminated the mandatory surrender fees in the hope of decreasing the number strays and abandoned pets.
“It was a financial barrier for many owners,” said Harkness. “We are still asking for a voluntary fee, but if someone is not able to pay, there is no judgment.”
For more information, visit the P.E.I. Humane Society website.
