RSPCA ACT has already received its first pregnant cat ahead of the usual starting date of annual ‘kitten season’ and with the ACT animal shelter already near capacity, we are calling on the community to come together to navigate the season successfully.
“We’ve always relied on the community to help us through kitten season but this year we want to be even more prepared, wiser and ready to help as many cats and kittens as possible,” said CEO Michelle Robertson.
“We know it’s going to be busy but we’re confident that with a strategic approach, more knowledge and admittedly, more neo-natal foster carers, we believe as a team, our animal-loving community can come together to best help and care for the potential over 2,000 cats and kittens we’re expecting to see,” she said.
RSPCA ACT wants people to be thinking about kitten season right now, to be aware that you may encounter a surprising “meow” from a drain or a bush or your backyard, and to make the right decision when it happens.
“The first thing we want people to do is contact us and we will give you as much advice as we can to help you. Please don’t go trying to catch a protective mum and her kittens,” said Ms Robertson.
“Every scenario is different and believe it or not, if you see a mum raising her kittens in a relatively safe place, for at least a short period of time, that might be the best place for them,” she said.
“The main point here is to be aware that cats are giving birth in the ACT and if you see them, please call us before you do anything.”
Our Shelter is always seeking more volunteers however the highest priority for RSPCA ACT right now is to have more neo-natal foster carers available. (Neo-natal litters are kittens who have no mother and need to be raised by hand).
RSPCA ACT currently has over 240 feline foster carers on our books but only a handful of neo-natal carers.
An ‘outside-workhours’ information session has been scheduled on Tuesday, 24th of September at 5:30pm for potential neo-natal carers to learn precisely what is involved.
“Neo-natal kittens are the cutest, but they take the most effort to raise because you have to bottle feed them around the clock and teach them how to groom and go to the toilet,” said Ms Robertson.
“Having said that, our current neo-natal carers get immense joy from seeing kittens who at first have almost zero chance of growing up, turned into loving, affectionate pets who bring their owners love and joy. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
To reserve a place in the neo-natal foster care information session: https://rspca-act.org.au/neo-natal-foster-information-session
For more information and interviews with CEO Michelle Robertson please contact: Phil Staley, Communications Officer: (02) 6287 8131 or 0448 801 882.
