Help homeless kittens in Boston this spring!

April 18, 11:57 PMBoston Pets ExaminerMia Carter

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Spring has arrived...and so have the kittens. Hundreds of them, each kitten looking for an owner that will provide regular veterinary care, healthy food, a safe home, and lots of love and attention for the next 14-18 years.

Each spring, animal shelters and animal rescue organizations are inundated with box after box of kittens. This onslaught of adoptable cats leaves many animal shelters taxed, as the kittens require money for care and food, time from shelter staff and space in already-cramped animal shelters.

Very young kittens can be particularly difficult on an animal shelter or animal rescue organization's already-limited resources, as young kittens who have yet to be weaned can require 'round the clock care in a volunteer pet foster home.

This year, kitten season is expected to be a bit more difficult than in past years due to the poor economy. Fewer animal lovers are open to adopting a new cat as a result of financial strains that have resulted from the economic downturn.

How Can I Help Homeless Kittens?

There are several ways that animal lovers can help homeless kittens, aside from adopting a young cat or kitten:

• Donate Money or Pet Supplies to an Animal Shelter or Rescue Organization. Donate money to an animal shelter or rescue group to help care for homeless kittens. Or provide a local animal shelter with donations of much-needed supplies. Call the shelter or rescue group to find out what items they're most in need of or check the "wish list" on the animal shelter and animal rescue organizations website.
• Volunteer at a Boston Area Animal Shelter. Volunteer your time at a Boston-area animal shelter. Spring is a great time to volunteer at an animal shelter because much of the shelter staff's "free time" goes toward caring for the homeless kittens. This means fewer walks and less attention for other homeless dogs and cats who are waiting for homes. So if you have a few hours to spare a few times per month, consider volunteering at a Boston animal shelter or rescue group.
• Become a Pet Foster Parent. Do you know how to care for kittens? Are you capable of bottle feeding a young kitten and providing the other vital care that an orphan kitten will need? Consider signing up as a pet foster parent. Pet foster homes are always sought by animal shelters and rescue groups - there's never enough foster homes!
• Hold a Fundraiser to Benefit Homeless Pets in the Boston Area. Organize a canister drive, placing donation collection canisters at Boston area convenience stores. Consider holding a neighborhood yard sale, with the proceeds benefitting a local animal shelter or Boston animal rescue group. Approach local businesses for donations of products and services and then hold an auction to raise money for an animal shelter. Or hold a pet food drive at your office, gym or at your child's school. Get creative and raise money to help animal rescue organizations in and around Boston!

The Lowell Humane Society is one of the many Boston area animal rescue organizations that's gearing up for this spring's kitten season.

The Lowell Humane Society is holding a Kitten Shower on Saturday, April 25, 2009. To learn more about how to help homeless kittens this spring by supporting the Lowell Humane Society, check out this article by the Boston Pets Examiner.

(Julie M. Borsh Photo)