In last week’s blog, Dr. Tiva Hoshizaki reminded us that kitten season is practically here and it’s time to start preparing for their arrival. Dr. Hoshizaki advised shelter teams to reflect on last year’s season to help determine this season’s goals and strategies. She suggested that with timely planning and a committed crew, our shelters will be ready for the many, many kittens to come.
With Dr. Hoshizaki’s recommendations in mind, this year our Shelter Medicine program and the team at the SPCA of Tompkins County have vowed to embrace kitten season. Our goal: to actually enjoy these little critters all through the season instead of just in the beginning when they are novel and in fewer numbers!
Our plan starts by being proactive. This took some time and organization, but we sat down as a team and discussed what was successful about last season and what we would like to work on for this one. Our team agreed that although at times it seemed an impossible feat, our greatest accomplishment was the adoption of approximately 450 kittens. This year’s goal is to not only continue that trend, but also to be as prepared as possible, while gathering some much needed data about kittens in foster care.
Many shelters are unable to house kittens less than 8 weeks of age and rely solely on foster care programs in order to ensure the kittens remain healthy until they are old enough for adoption. With this in mind, our preparedness began just last week as Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, Cornell’s shelter medicine program director, along with Karen Nieves, the shelter’s LVT, hosted a very informative information session on kitten foster care for our volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their sleep, homes and peace of mind all in the name of adoptable kittens.
The session informed potential fosters about what to expect medically and behaviorally with kittens, from neonates through 8 weeks of age. It was an excellent, informative balance on the joys and challenges of fostering kittens. We had the largest volunteer turnout yet, which makes us even more hopeful that this kitten season will be very successful.
In addition to rallying our kitten foster volunteers, the team has stocked the shelter with essential kitten supplies including milk replacer, nursing bottles, human baby food, warming devices and the appropriate pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We have even recruited a licensed veterinary technician student to complete an internship at the shelter during our busiest summer months. Although her primary goal is an educational opportunity, she is thrilled to be able to help facilitate care for the many kittens to come.
Additionally, Allison Cowan, a current 2nd year veterinary student interested in shelter medicine, also received a grant to study foster and shelter kitten health. With the help and guidance of Drs. Elizabeth Berliner and Jan Scarlett, Allison will be collecting data on kittens in foster care. With the data gathered from this current research project, our team hopes to gain and share valuable information on growth rates, disease symptoms and response to treatments.
Our plan is in motion and our outlook is hopeful that this kitten season will be a success. As Dr. Hoshizaki mentioned in last week’s blog, our advice to you about to climb up “Kitten Mountain” is to unite your team by planning ahead. Gather your kitten foster volunteers now and inform them about the rewards and trials of caring for these vulnerable beings. Be sure to have essential supplies on site and ready for when the kittens start coming. Celebrate your kitten adoption successes and remember to pause and enjoy the cuteness that they are. Continue to keep in mind that our study will bring valuable information in the near future. Our program wishes all of you luck, peace and joy through this kitten season!
