Kittens Are Coming

Kitten season is on its way! Starting from March and going into October, kitten season is the time of year when rescues see the greatest influx of pregnant cats and kittens. We’ve talked before about kitten season and its impact, year after year, on communities around the country. As cute as it sounds, what kitten season really means is that shelters and rescues, who are already overwhelmed with the amount of cats in their care, are stretched even thinner as they try to take on all the extra litters born. With over three million cats entering shelters around the country every year, think about just how busy a time that makes kitten season! Most rescues are already strained when it comes to resources and space, so no matter how much we prepare, it never feels like enough. On top of that, pregnant cats and newborn kittens require even more supplies and care than the average cat.

With kitten season just around the corner, Ten Lives would like to ask for help from our community so that we can continue to find loving forever homes for cats this upcoming kitten season. Read on to learn what you can do to help during this busy time of year.

Donate

A significant portion of our funds are spent on supplies, and this time of year we could really use donations of goods to get us through. Wet cat food is in huge demand around here, especially canned kitten food—have you ever seen a litter of kittens at lunchtime? Pregnant cats, too, eat a lot of food! Our foster cats go through litter like it’s going out of style. They would greatly appreciate some donations of litter so their boxes can stay nice and clean (and the floor can continue to be covered in the litter they fling outside their boxes).

Scales to weigh kittens (and make sure they’re gaining properly and are healthy) are incredibly useful, too. These are generally common kitchen scales that measure in ounces. We would also appreciate pet friendly warming pads, puppy liners for birthing and nursing on, and towels, blankets, and beds. You can check out our current wish list for an up-to-date list of items we need most. If you would like to donate items in person, please email us! You can also make a monetary donation to be used to purchase items in greatest need.

Foster & Volunteer

As a foster-based rescue with no physical shelter, our ability to help cats in the community relies on generous individuals who donate their time and space. Thanks to generous donors, Ten Lives provides supplies, like food and litter, and covers the cost of veterinary care. We have an incredible team of volunteers who provide guidance and support throughout the process. Ten Lives provides services to cats & kittens with various needs. Our goal is to place cats with foster families who match their experience and skill set. If you have a little extra space and want to help cats in our community, submit our foster application!

Can’t foster? Consider volunteering! We are always in need of dedicated volunteers for administrative roles, events, fundraising, graphic design, writing, and transport. Ten Lives is 100% volunteer-powered, which means we need your help to get important work done! Your time and skills can have a huge impact and keep us moving forward. Submit our volunteer inquiry to learn more!

Advocate

If you see a pregnant cat or litter of kittens outside, it’s important to act early! It is incredibly challenging for cats to live outside, especially kittens who have weakened immune systems. They often become sick and suffer from preventable injuries that require urgent intervention. When you act early, kittens have a better chance of surviving and being socialized for adoption. Cute kittens in your backyard quickly become feral teenagers who cannot be placed indoors. For help with stray cats, please contact Ten Lives or another reputable local rescue.