LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Humane Society just got over $8,000 to boost its kitten care, thanks to a Rachel Ray “Save Them All Grant.”
The $8,350 grant will increase the humane society’s lifesaving capacity for kittens entering the shelter, supporting a growing foster network. The money also helped fund the recent 2nd annual KHS Kitten Shower — a community event intended to educate residents and guests about how they can help the island’s kittens in need.
“We are truly honored to receive this grant from Rachel Ray ‘Save Them All,’” said Mirah Horowitz, KHS executive director. “This grant will allow us to provide fosters with critical, lifesaving supplies which will, in turn, help save hundreds of kittens. And every kitten we rescue, get healthy and get adopted or transfered is one less free-roaming cat on our island.”
Each year, hundreds of kittens come to KHS needing help. Some need intensive care like bottle feeding. Some need support to receive regular medications. Some just need some peace and quiet so they can get strong enough to find their forever homes.
Currently, KHS has about 17 foster families for kittens, though some are more active than others. KHS has 17 kittens in the foster program, and staff members are frequently taking cats and kittens into the shelter.
The grant funds will be used to purchase much-needed supplies, like kitten formula for motherless kittens, bottles, transitional food, toys, blankets and kitty litter.
Most kittens stay in foster until they are large enough to be spayed/neutered and then adopted. KHS is always in need of more fosters.
“We need to at least double our kitten foster network if not triple it. We still struggle mightily with having too many kittens needing the care of a foster and not enough to go around,” Horowitz said.
The Rachael Ray “Save Them All Grants” is a grant program, administered by Best Friends and funded by The Rachael Ray Foundation, that provides grants to shelters for euthanasia-reduction initiatives.
