Each year when spring arrives, animal shelters get ready for kitten season—the yearly increase in kitten births triggered by warmer weather and extended daylight. Between May and November, kittens younger than eight weeks make up over half of feline intakes at shelters. In contrast to adult cats, these very young kittens require constant, attentive care that overcrowded shelters frequently lack the capacity to offer. Fostering offers a critical support system for these at-risk cats, and becoming a foster parent is simpler and more within reach than many realize.
The majority of animal shelters and rescue groups provide fosters with education, materials, veterinary services, and guidance throughout the process. Programs like “foster to adopt” allow families to experience pet ownership on a trial basis before making a long-term commitment. The only requirement is a desire to make a difference.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has, through its Food, Shelter & Love program, facilitated over 16 million pet adoptions and contributed more than $300 million in Hill’s brand pet food to shelters across the United States since 2002.
Hannah Shaw—known as the “Kitten Lady,” an animal rescuer and bestselling author—partnered with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to address key questions about how fostering and appropriate nutrition can create meaningful impact, as well as how households can get involved:
Can you explain ‘kitten season’ and why it places such a heavy strain on shelters each year?
Kitten season is the time of year when warmer weather and longer days lead to a surge in kitten births. Unfortunately, many of these kittens end up in local animal shelters that may not have the resources to care for them on-site.
Many are extremely young and vulnerable, requiring around-the-clock attention. That's why foster families play such an important role
