It’s officially spring and that means cats are already giving birth to litters of kittens. The time of year is called kitten season, and it means an abundance of cats and kittens will soon be showing up at animal shelters.
“That’s when more strays are out running around, of course that’s when they go into heat. It’s a stark difference from the winter months,” said Melissa Smith, Executive Director of the York County SPCA.
During kitten season the York County SPCA can receive 30 or more cats a day. “30 to 40 cats in a days time for cats in the summer months is not unusual for us. Although it’s not unusual, it’s devastating everyday that it happens. There was a day last year that we took in almost 60 cats in one day,” said Smith. “They can have a couple litters a year, and if they have maybe six or seven each litter, the numbers are astronomical when you put them all together.”
“Over the next six months which is kitten season, from April to October there will be thousands of animals that come through the door,” said Todd Hevner, Operations Director for the York County SPCA. “The cat population on York county is at a point where the population is overwhelming.”
The best way the public can help is by spaying or neutering their pets and neighborhood cats. The York County SPCA has a program for the community to help with feral cats. Operation “Spay our Strays” SOS.It is really a TNR program, which is a trap, neuter and release program for feral cats. It’s $15.00 for each cat, and they get spayed or neutered, and ear tip, a rabies vaccine, and they are tested for Feline Leukemia,” said Smith.
You can also help by adopting. “You can go to a pet store and get a cat for $20.00. Or you can come here and get a cat for $75.00 and it’s fixed, it’s up to date on it’s shots, it’s current on its rabies. You know it does not have Feline Leukemia,” said Hevner.
For more on adoption at the York County SPCA or Operation “Spay our Strays” SOS- click here