It's Kitten Time

It's Kitten Time

Kittens at the shelter in Roanoke

Every year despite all that the humane organizations and rescue groups do to promote spaying and neutering to discourage the birth of unwanted pets , it never fails, come June, the shelters are overflowing with kittens.

kittens at Metroport Humane Society

I have worked with various animal organization since 1980 and it just never seems to get any better. I think the blame lies with PEOPLE. I think many people take in cats or kittens often that they find and then fail to get them spayed and neutered. I know many people still don't know that a 5 month old kitten can give birth to a new litter of kittens and can also have 3 litters a year if she is not fixed.

Those unwanted kittens either become feral or wander off to be picked up by someone who out of the kindness of their heart, takes the kitten in but then doesn't get it neutered or spayed and so the cycle continues.

Don't forget the little black cuties

When you look at a cute baby kitten it is hard to resist but please don't get a cat unless you get it neutered and spayed. Many rescue and pet adoption agencies will already arrange for this for the kittens they adopt out. If not ask about low cost spay neuter programs.

Also please if you really think you are ready for a new pet cat please get one from a rescue group or a shelter. They need help to place all these babies that arrive on mass at this time of the year. Also a very special plea for those little black and tortie kittens , They are often the ones that get left in the shelters where the outcome of adoption is not good.