COLORADO SPRINGS — It's kitten season at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and that means lots of newborns and young cats.
The cats are either too young or too small for adoption.
Foster homes are need to help the kittens grow until they are ready to be adopted out.
"If you have the means to foster cats or kittens at this time, we would love to have you join our foster team and help us find some temporary homes for all the cats and kittens we are seeing," Gretchen Pressley with the Humane Society said.
If you would like to foster a kitten, you can fill out an online application via the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region here.
Here are the requirements to become a foster parent, according to HSPPR's website:
- Be at least 21 years of age or have an adult supervisor and have reliable transportation
- Be able to commit to a minimum of two weeks
- Complete a background check. HSPPR does not accept volunteers with a criminal record in relation to (1) any felony, (2) sexual or violent crimes, (3) theft-related crimes, or (4) animal neglect or cruelty within the last 7 years.
- Not exceed the number of pets allowed (based on zoning regulations and city of residence); ensure your own pets are current on their vaccinations and are spayed/neutered
- Undergo a home visit prior to fostering, as required by state law
There is a a one-time volunteer fee of $20 to apply. This is waived for Pueblo campus volunteers.
HSPPR also wants to warn against "kit-napping," or taking kittens away from their mother.
Mother cats don't usually abandon their babies. So, if you see a litter and they're not in danger, leave them where they are and you can check back in a few hours to see if she returned. The best chance of survival for kittens is with their mom.
Dropping off kittens that haven't been abandoned also puts a strain on shelter resources.
To find out more about how to tell the difference between healthy kittens and kitten that need your help, check out tips from HSPPR here.
