With spring, comes baby animals, and many who don’t have homes. Kitten season has begun and the Kaua‘i Humane Society is looking for foster parents. Dozens of orphaned kittens are starting to arrive at the facility “We need volunteers willing
With spring, comes baby animals, and many who don’t have homes.
Kitten season has begun and the Kaua‘i Humane Society is looking for foster parents. Dozens of orphaned kittens are starting to arrive at the facility “We need volunteers willing to provide them some time to grow up. We provide the supplies, you just need to provide the love,” writes Dr. Becky Rhoades, executive director.
“We want the kittens to be off to a good start before adoption into a new loving home,” said Carol Everett, a foster parent. “We know from experience that the golden minimum for adoption is 2 pounds, or 8 weeks of age. This way, the kittens have developed a healthy immune system and are eating well to maintain their fast growth phase.”
Many kittens arrive only several weeks old. They need fostering for about a month to grow up to the 2 pound minimum. We will help foster families with food, litter and medications if needed. And we offer counseling when it’s time to say goodbye.
“Fostering can be emotionally challenging because you fall in love with them all,” said Linda Russell, volunteer coordinator. “Knowing that you have saved their life and given them a second chance in a loving home makes it all worth it. It also helps to write ‘bios’ for each kitten to place on their cage for adoption. You can describe their individual qualities, personalities and express your love in your own words. This information also helps the adopter find their perfect match.”
The volunteer foster program at the Kaua‘i Humane Society has helped save hundreds of kittens. “Since opening the doors to our new home in 2001, we have experienced a 200 percent increase in cat adoptions,” writes Rhoades. “Kittens of course, are very desirable by families, we encourage families to consider adopting two kittens or cats.
This helps prevent cat to human behavior issues and they will entertain each other for life. During peak season — June and July n— we offer two-for-one cat adoptions at a cost of just $50.”
Foster parent trainings are held the last Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon in the shelter classroom. Call for more information: 632-0610. ,238.
