Each spring, animal shelters get ready for kitten season, the yearly influx of newborn felines brought on by rising temperatures and extended daylight. Between May and November, more than half of all feline shelter admissions are kittens under eight weeks of age. Unlike older cats, these infants demand constant, hands-on care that already overburdened shelters often cannot provide. Fostering offers a critical solution for these at-risk animals, and it is far more accessible and simpler to get involved with than many realize.
The vast majority of shelters and rescue groups supply fosters with training, supplies, veterinary care, and ongoing mentorship. “Foster to adopt” initiatives also allow households to test pet ownership before making a permanent decision. The only requirement is a willingness to help.
Since 2002, through its Food, Shelter & Love program, Hill’s Pet Nutrition has backed more than 16 million pet adoptions and contributed over $300 million worth of Hill’s brand pet food to shelters across the country.
Hannah Shaw, known as the “Kitten Lady,” an animal rescuer and bestselling author, joined forces with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to address several pressing questions about how fostering and proper nutrition can truly make an impact — and how families at home can lend a hand:
What exactly is ‘kitten season,’ and why does this period place so much strain on shelters?
Kitten season refers to the time of year when warmer weather and longer daylight hours lead to a sharp increase in kitten births. Unfortunately, many of these kittens wind up at local animal shelters that often lack the resources to care for them in-house.
A large number are extremely young and fragile, needing round-the-clock attention. That is why foster families are so vital. By taking kittens into their homes for a few weeks, foster caregivers deliver the care, nourishment, and social contact they require until they are ready for adoption — typically around eight weeks of age.
What do kittens require most during those early life stages, particularly regarding nutrition?
Take a kitten like Pup, for example — he was only a few hours old when I brought him home. At that stage, he demanded intensive care, including bottle-feeding every few hours, warmth, and constant supervision.
As kittens enter their second month, they become far more playful, energetic, and inquisitive. They also start learning to eat solid food, which is where foster parents can have a tremendous effect. They assist kittens through the weaning process, whether by spoon-feeding, hand-feeding, or encouraging independent eating.
It is essential to offer kittens both wet and dry food designed specifically for their developmental stage. Nutrition tailored for kittens supplies the vital nutrients they need to grow, flourish, and lay the groundwork for a long, healthy life.
What kind of impact does fostering have, and what steps are needed to become a foster parent?
The influence of fostering cannot be overstated. It gives fragile kittens a lifeline, offering the attention and support they need to reach adoption age and eventually find loving, permanent homes.
The encouraging news is that no prior experience is needed to become a foster parent. Local animal shelters and rescue organizations offer training, advice, and continuous support to set you up for success. They will supply the knowledge, materials, and mentorship needed to care for kittens every step of the way.
Another key point: fostering does not have to cost you anything. When you foster through a local shelter, they typically cover veterinary care, supplies, and other necessities.
How do programs like Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love assist shelters and help more pets find homes?
When you foster through a Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love partner shelter, you will also receive high-quality kitten nutrition, meaning no out-of-pocket expenses for food. That allows foster families to focus on what truly matters: giving kittens the time, attention, and affection they need to thrive.
The Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program is making a remarkable difference in communities nationwide. The program has facilitated more than 16 million pet adoptions and provided over $300 million in Hill’s brand pet foods to shelters across the country.
Importantly, that support extends beyond shelter facilities and into foster homes as well. Through participating shelters, foster families receive Hill’s Science Diet kitten wet and dry food, ensuring kittens get the complete and balanced nutrition they need during the crucial weaning stage and throughout their development.
Access to that nutritional support removes a major burden for foster parents and helps set kittens up for a healthy future.
To locate 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 included video was released as part of a media tour 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
