Each year as spring arrives, animal shelters get ready for kitten season—an annual wave of kitten births driven by rising temperatures and extended daylight. Between May and November, over half of all feline shelter intakes are kittens under eight weeks old. Unlike adult cats, these newborns need nonstop, hands-on care that many already-overburdened shelters lack the time or resources to give. Fostering offers a critical rescue option for these at-risk felines, and getting involved is simpler and more accessible than many realize.
Most shelters and rescue groups support their fosters with instruction, supplies, medical treatment, and ongoing guidance. “Foster to adopt” options let families sample pet ownership before making a permanent decision. All that's required is a readiness to help.
Since 2002, through its Food, Shelter & Love program, Hill’s Pet Nutrition has facilitated more than 16 million pet adoptions and contributed over $300 million worth of Hill’s brand pet food to shelters across the country.
Animal rescuer and bestselling author Hannah Shaw—known as “Kitten Lady”—joined forces with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to address key questions about how fostering and proper nutrition can create real change, and how families at home can contribute:
What is ‘kitten season’ and why does this time of year place such heavy demands on shelters?
Kitten season refers to the period each year when warmer weather and longer days cause a sudden increase in kitten births. Unfortunately, many of these kittens end up in local animal shelters that may lack the capacity to care for them on-site.
A large number are extremely young and fragile, needing constant attention. That is why foster families are so essential. By taking kittens into their homes for a few weeks, foster parents supply the care, nourishment, and socialization these animals require until they are old enough to be adopted—typically around eight weeks of age.
What do kittens need most in those early stages of life, especially when it comes to nutrition?
Take a kitten like Pup, for instance—he was only a few hours old when I brought him home. At that age, he needed intensive care, including bottle feeding every few hours, warmth, and continuous attention.
When kittens reach their second month, they grow much more playful, energetic, and curious. They also begin learning to eat solid food, which is where foster families can have a huge impact. Foster parents help guide kittens through the weaning process—whether by spoon-feeding, hand-feeding, or encouraging them to eat independently.
It is vital to introduce kittens to both wet and dry food specially formulated for their developmental stage. Kitten-specific nutrition delivers the essential nutrients they need to grow, thrive, and build the foundation for a long, healthy life.
What impact does fostering have, and what does it take to become a foster parent?
The effect of fostering cannot be overstated. It provides vulnerable kittens with a lifeline, offering them the care and support they need to reach adoption age and ultimately find loving, permanent homes.
The encouraging news is that no prior experience is required to become a foster parent. Local animal shelters and rescue organizations provide the training, direction, and continuous support necessary to help you succeed. They will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and mentorship needed to care for kittens at every stage.
Another important point is that fostering doesn't have to cost you anything. When you foster through a local shelter, they typically cover veterinary care, supplies, and other essentials.
How are programs like Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love supporting shelters and helping more pets find homes?
If you foster through a Hill's Food, Shelter & Love partner shelter, you will also receive high-quality kitten nutrition—so there are no out-of-pocket food expenses. That allows foster families to focus on what matters most: giving kittens the time, care, and love they need to thrive.
The Hill's Food, Shelter & Love program is making a remarkable difference in communities across the nation. The program has supported more than 16 million pet adoptions and donated more than $300 million worth of Hill's brand pet foods to shelters nationwide.
Importantly, that support reaches beyond shelter pets and extends into foster homes as well. Through participating shelters, foster families receive Hill's Science Diet kitten wet and dry food, ensuring kittens have the complete and balanced nutrition they need during the critical weaning stage and throughout their development.
Having access to that nutritional support removes a major burden for foster parents and helps set kittens up for a healthy future.
To find a participating shelter near you and learn more about fostering, visit HillsPet.com/Shelter.
About YourUpdateTV:
YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and released was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Michael O’Donnell
D S Simon Media
212-736-2727
modonnell@dssimon.com
A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b92de19c-23d0-41a0-97c1-c23bb4fc8c50
