June is National Adopt a Cat Month – Feline Friends in Focus

June marks National Adopt a Cat Month, and it’s no coincidence. It marks the start of kitten season, which may sound like a dream come true for some, but for animal shelters, it implies the beginning of many headaches. Flooded with an influx of kittens, this surge leaves shelters hard-pressed, with limited space and resources. In today’s blog, we’ll answer all your questions related to this annual event, from “Why is there a kitten season in the first place?” to “How is it connected to National Adopt a Cat Month?” and most importantly, “How can I help?” Plus, we’ll even offer some helpful cat care tips just in case all this leaves you inspired to adopt a feline friend.

What is Kitten Season? 

Kitten season typically runs from April to October, coinciding with National Adopt a Cat Month in June. However, it can actually happen any time of the year. The longer days, warmer weather and greater food availability all play a part in this annual happening. Stray and feral cats, often not fixed, have litters during this period, causing a rise in the cat population. Did you know that female cats can get pregnant as young as four months? This is why early spaying or neutering is so important. When you adopt a cat from the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, they leave already spayed or neutered. It’s one way we actively mitigate feline overpopulation. 

Why is There Such an Increase in Cats During Kitten Season? 

Unlike certain animals, cats don’t need much time off after giving birth. They can get pregnant again very soon, even as early as two weeks after delivery, leading to multiple litters in a single year. Each litter typically has four to six kittens, which quickly adds up and contributes to overpopulation. Ensuring your cats are spayed or neutered while they’re young is crucial to prevent overcrowding in shelters. 

How You Can Help: Adoption 

Adding a cat to your family can be a rewarding experience and a big help to shelters struggling with overcrowding. If you’ve been wrestling with the idea of bringing a cat into your home for a while, now is an excellent time to consider adoption as many kittens are likely available. And just in case you need you need convincing, there are several reasons felines make great companions. Unlike other pets, (we’re looking at you, dogs), they don’t require long walks, instead preferring the simplicity of a clean litter box. Studies even suggest that caring for a cat can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, showing the positive impact cats can have on our health. However, owning a cat does come with several responsibilities. Cats can live for 13 to 17 years, so you’ll need to provide them with ample food, supplies, and routine vet check-ups throughout this time. Before welcoming a feline into your life, think it over carefully. Consider factors like your living situation and lifestyle. Ask yourself important questions like, “Does a cat have a place in my future plans?” and “Are you ready to put in the time and energy?” Ensure your home is suitable for a kitten and be prepared for common cat behaviours, like jumping on counters and scratching furniture. While it’s certainly possible to train them to avoid certain behaviours, this won’t happen overnight. It will take some time for your cat to learn to avoid these adverse behaviours so in the meantime you should be prepared to deal with them, even if it is just for a little while.

Adoption Fees for Cats

Adopting a pet comes with financial considerations, and felines are no different! Adoption fees for cats vary based on age. At the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, adult cats (over 6 months) cost $125, while kittens (6 months or younger) are $175. Both come with at least one set of vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and a 24PetWatchMicrochip. If the cat is older than four months, they will have also had their rabies vaccine. Once you’re ready to adopt, the next step is finding the purr-fect feline companion to join your family. This involves considering factors like personality, size, and age. Do you want a young kitten full of energy and spunk? Or do you want a senior cat that likes to spend its days bathing in the sun? To help you with this decision process, our volunteers work hard to provide insights into each animal’s quirks in their bios. Take a look– Browse our adoptable cats and kittens here. 

Tips for Caring for a Cat 

Ready to bring your new cat home? To ensure everyone’s purring and having a great time, here are some cat care tips.

Brush Your Cat Everyday– Really, we mean it. 

We know it sounds like a lot of work, but daily brushing or combing can reduce the number of hairballs that develop in your cat’s digestive track while helping to prevent mats and tangles, especially if you’ve adopted a long-haired cat. Cats spend a good amount of time grooming themselves and from time to time, could use our help. By regularly brushing them you can help your cat remove a good chunk of loose hair. The secret is to teach your cat to associate brushing with good times. Before mealtime, try brushing your long or short-haired feline. It’ll help them associate it with whatever divine dish is about to be served. 

Take it Easy on the Dry Food & Key an Eye on Thirst 

Cats are obligate carnivores. This means meat is the foundation of their diets. Feeding your felines exclusively dry food could lead them to consume too many carbohydrates. Too much dry food can even lead cats to develop type 2 diabetes and grow obese. Feed your cats wet food as a part, if not all, of your cat’s diet. You also want to keep a close eye on your cat’s drinking habits. Usually, they get most of their water from their food. Canned food contains about 78 percent water, but dry food, only contains up to 10 percent. So, if you feed your cat primarily dry food, you’ll likely notice them drinking more water. Regardless of their diet, ensure they have fresh access to water at all times. Senior, nursing cats and cats with chronic health conditions are also prone to dehydration so watch them carefully for signs of dehydration– sunken eyes, lethargy, and panting.

Save Your Beloved Couch– Train Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post 

To save your precious sofa from being torn apart, it’s crucial to teach your cat to use a scratching post right from the start. While many owners understand the importance of a scratching post, they may not realize that it needs to be enticing for the cat to use. I mean, would you want to play with it if it didn’t look fun? Experts recommend starting by placing the scratching post in the center of the room and sprinkling some catnip on it for extra appeal when first introducing it. Once your cat gets used to it, you can gradually move it to a less trafficked area and even skip the catnip altogether, if you prefer. 

Find a Cat-Friendly Vet 

It’s essential to find a local veterinarian who you can depend on and communicate openly with. Ask friends and family for recommendations on who they trust with their cat’s health and well-being. Remember, while all vets like all cats, you’ll want to find one who is truly passionate about feline care! They should have ample experience working with cats and be comfortable handling them. Schedule meetings with potential candidates without bringing your cat along. Take the time to tour the facility and determine if it would be a good fit for your cat. Once you’ve found the right vet, you can schedule an appointment for your cat to meet them, receive vaccines, and address any questions or concerns you may have about your new feline friend. 

Potty Training 101 

When you bring home a kitten, it’s important to prioritize potty training. Kittens can start learning to use the litter box as early as four weeks old. It’s important to choose the right size litter box for your tiny feline friend. A large box might intimidate them, leading to avoidance, which is definitely not what you want. In such cases, opt for a smaller litter box. Introduce your kitten to the litter box by placing it in various locations throughout home. Once they’ve had time to explore, gently place them in the box. Typically, kittens instinctively know to use it for elimination, but if they don’t, it’s no problem. Continue placing them in the box after naps, meals, and drinks. Eventually, they’ll catch on and use it independently. A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. Also, be sure to keep the litter box away from their food and water bowls for obvious reasons.

Schedule in Play Time 

Don’t be fooled by your cat’s independent nature. They actually love interacting with others and playing with their toys. In fact, it’s an essential part of caring for a cat as it plays a key role in their overall health and well-being. Whether it’s with you, other pets in the household, or other family members, it’s a great way for them to get moving. Experts recommend playing for about 30 to 60 minutes each day or dividing it up into four 10-minute sessions to make it easier. Daily exercise helps keep your cat physically fit, reduces stress, and prevents boredom. Plus, it strengthens the bond between you and your furry companion. There is an abundance of ways you can play with your feline– from feather wands and cardboard boxes to tall cat trees. 

How You Can Help: Fostering 

Fostering is another valuable way to address the overpopulation issue that arises during kitten season. By welcoming cats into your space until they find permanent homes, you help create space in the shelter. Fostering can also serve as a trial period to help you assess if you’re ready for full-time cat parenthood. However, there are common misconceptions about fostering cats that might deter people from helping out. Learn about these misconceptions in our blog here. At HSGN, our Queens and Kittens Volunteer program is always looking for individuals to foster cats of all ages, from newborn kittens to adult mother cats with babies. We provide all the necessary supplies for caring for a cat; all we ask is that you provide the love and attention needed to help them transition to their forever homes. Find out more about becoming a Queens and Kittens Volunteer here.

How You Can Help: Donating 

At HSGN, our ability to assist thousands of animals’ hinges on the generous support from individuals like you. While we do receive funding for municipal animal control, many animals in our shelter don’t benefit from this support. We rely on contributions from our community to continue our vital work of saving lives and finding forever homes for animals in need. Every donation helps cover the costs of running our non-profit organization and aids in caring for all animals in our care or service area, including cats born during kitten season. If you’re looking to help, you can donate online, over the phone, by mail, or in person at our shelter. Additionally, you can support us during kitten season by donating cat-specific products like food and supplies. We thank you in advance for your kindness and support.

Tackle Kitten Season in Niagara with HSGN 

Together with your support, we can address kitten season head-on. Whether you adopt a cat, foster a kitten, offer financial support, donate food and supplies, or raise awareness about kitten season, your contribution is invaluable in combating shelter overpopulation. We sincerely appreciate all your efforts in tackling this issue together.