By Anthony Richards
The Jacksonville Humane Society is asking for the group’s assist in saving the lives of underage kittens.
So far in 2024, JHS has taken in 407 kittens, and 236 of these got here within the final 30 days.
The humane society has served a further 121 kittens and 17 mom cats by its Kitten Krusader program.
However, there are methods that the general public might help, the primary and maybe most significant function that may be performed is by being a brief foster mother or father by bringing kittens into their houses and elevating them till they’re eight weeks old.
At eight weeks, the kittens will return beneath the care of the humane society, and they are going to be provided up for adoption by the general public. JHS supplies all medical care together with meals and different provides.
Foster houses save the lives of kittens of all ages, as some kittens are too young to eat on their very own and require feeding from human helpers each few hours.
Others are capable of eat on their very own and simply want socialization from people, particularly if the purpose is to get them adopted, it’s key to get them used to being round and associating with people.
Occasionally kittens will come to the shelter with their mom and a foster home supplies a secure place for her to boost her kittens with minimal intervention from the foster household. No matter the age, foster houses present the supervision and care wanted for kittens to outlive and thrive.
Generally, the younger the kitten is the extra supervision and care is required by a foster mother or father.
Older kittens don’t want fixed care however nonetheless profit from the consolation of a home quite than being within the shelter atmosphere till they’re of adoptable age.
JHS encourages folks concerned with adopting a kitten to think about fostering as properly.
Foster households obtain particular perks, together with their “pick of the litter” to undertake a kitten of their foster care as soon as they’re of age and a waived adoption payment for his or her first kitten adoption.
“This is our busiest time of year for kittens, and it isn’t going to slow down any time soon,” mentioned Jacksonville Humane Society CEO Denise Deisler. “However, there is no place like Jacksonville when it comes to helping pets in need. We are excited to welcome new volunteer foster parents to this amazing community of helpers.”
Community members are additionally requested to recollect “don’t kitnap,” which is a slogan utilized by the humane society that highlights suggestions when kittens are discovered.
In many instances, it’s a person’s first intuition to seize the kitten and take it home, however JHS advises to cease, watch and watch for the mom cat to return.
A kitten’s finest likelihood at survival is to stick with their mom cat, she is probably going close by and ready so that you can go away. Information with the “don’t kitnap” marketing campaign could be discovered on the JHS web site at jaxhumane.org.
Community members who aren’t capable of foster however nonetheless wish to assist kittens in want are inspired to donate kitten care gadgets to JHS.
The most-needed gadgets could be seen and ordered immediately from the JHS Amazon want listing and shipped to the shelter. The want listing could be discovered on the web site.
For data on changing into a foster mother or father, donating, or adopting, go to jaxhumane.org or name 904-725-8766.
