The Ottawa Humane Society is currently facing the challenges of kitten season, grappling with a surge in the number of stray cats being admitted to its shelter.
In a recent development on Thursday, the animal shelter received 25 cats, with a staggering 18 of them being kittens. According to the Humane Society, the majority of these felines were discovered outdoors, highlighting the onset of warmer weather prompting cats to breed, thus resulting in an influx of kittens and mother cats in need of care.
Dr. Shelley Hutchings, the chief veterinarian at the Humane Society, emphasized the seasonal trend, stating, “Spring and summer are some of the busiest seasons. The warmer weather signals to cats that it’s time to breed and this leads to an influx of kittens and mother cats in our care.”
Among the newly admitted cats was a mother cat named Blair, accompanied by her six newborn kittens. Additionally, five other kittens, aged between three and six months, were brought in with upper respiratory infections commonly referred to as “cat colds.” The Humane Society highlighted that all the kittens require spay or neuter surgeries, further straining available resources.
In response to the situation, the Humane Society is urging individuals in search of a feline companion to consider adopting a homeless cat from their shelter. They also emphasize responsible cat ownership practices, such as keeping cats indoors unless supervised on a leash or in an enclosed catio, and ensuring pets are spayed or neutered.
For those willing to offer support, donations to the Humane Society are welcomed to assist in providing the necessary care for the kittens.
“Our goal is to provide these kittens the care they need and to find a new home for them as soon as possible,” stated Sharon Miko, president and CEO of the Ottawa Humane Society, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of every animal in their care, regardless of the challenges posed by the current influx.
