Spring is coming to an end and summer is around the corner. As the temperatures start to rise, so does the number of orphaned kittens arriving at Santa Barbara County Animal Services’ three shelters.
Some of the kittens come to the shelter with their mothers, while others arrive so young the only way they can survive is if they’re fed by bottle.
According to Animal Services Community Outreach Coordinator Stacy Silva, the shelter has seen an influx of hundreds of kittens since the beginning of April. Silva said these kittens are born outside and are orphaned either because something happened to the mother, or people hear the kittens crying and bring them into the shelter because they think they’re abandoned.
Silva said that because underage kittens haven’t built up immunity to certain diseases, the shelter isn’t the best place for them. That’s why Animal Services is reaching out to the community for help.
To help combat the inundation of abandoned kittens, Santa Barbara County Animal Services is searching for volunteers to foster the homeless animals. On May 12, Animal Services was host to a Foster Parent Orientation for North County residents at the Santa Maria Animal Shelter.
According to a press release from the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, fostering a kitten is a great way to help without fully committing to adoption.
The only requirements for people who want to foster a kitten is that a safe and secure environment is provided. Interested families are encouraged to apply, and training will be provided.
Silva said that the fostering commitment lasts anywhere from one to eight weeks and makes a huge difference because the kittens are socialized and exposed to love, which makes them more adoptable.
If people aren’t interested in fostering a kitten, they can still help by making donations of wet or dry Science Diet kitten food, Kitten Milk Replacer, carriers, and blankets.
Silva said the community can also help keep down the number of orphaned kittens by contacting Animal Services if they find a litter they think may be abandoned and to spay/neuter their own pets.
For more information on how to help or become a foster parent, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 934-6981.
Staff Writer Kristina Sewell compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 17-24, 2012.