The Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) is hosting its fifth annual six-week-long “kitten shower” (a play on the traditional baby shower) to prepare for the fast approaching newborn kitten season.
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, Tidy Cat or any non-clumping fragrance-free clay litter, Purina Pro Plan or Authority 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, digital thermometers (flexible tip and waterproof), and sandwich-size and quart-size baggies.
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 Monica Bulat, Foster Care Coordinator. “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 8 cats and 26 kittens in foster homes, and that number will only rise as Kitten Season gets into full swing.”
Members of the HSWC Foster Care program will celebrate the donation drive with a Virtual Kitten Shower Party on Saturday, April 10 from 10 am – 1 pm. The virtual event will be hosted on the “HSWC Foster Care” Facebook page with raffles and live streaming of kittens. Virtual attendees are encouraged to donate items through the Amazon Baby Registry (search using names Michael Cestero and Monica Bulat) or contribute to the online Facebook fundraiser.
Anyone who would like to donate to the foster program or become a foster parent can contact fostercare@hswcmd.org or call 301-733-2060 ext. 215.
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