As of May 31st, we have cared for 334 kittens. The monthly breakdown is as follows:
Jan - 5
Feb - 0
Mar - 57
Apr - 174
May - 96
The ages of the kittens we're getting lately have been much older than in previous months. This is just part of the cycle of Kitten Season, as many of the kittens are now weaning, and momma cats are again going into heat. The average age of kittens we received during May was 27 days.
As a reminder, low cost spay/neuter surgeries are available through Animal Trustees of Austin and EmanciPET. We encourage the public to prevent unwanted animals by contacting these clinics.
If you do not spay your female cat and she has kittens, please remember that kittens are not able to feed themselves independently until they are at least 4 weeks old. It is critical that baby kittens receive their mother's milk until they are a LEAST a month old (two, preferably). If you FIND a litter of kittens, we have a resource guide available for you.
Survival rate of our kittens has increased to 90%. The majority of losses have been for kittens taken to the shelter when they are too young. We have placed 47 kittens with nursing momma cats that are in our foster program since January.
And...65 of our kittens have already been adopted! (photo this month is of Gage – newly named “Achilles” with his new brother Tut, courtesy of Libbie).
For every kitten that goes to foster, we have room for another at the Bottle Baby Trailer. And for every kitten adopted, we have room in APA! for another from TLAC. We have a long way to go in Kitten Season, which will start slowing down in August. Please support our efforts through donating, volunteering, adopting or fostering.
Hint: If you wanted to donate ONE thing in June, please consider Nutro MaxCat Canned Kitten food, which can be delivered to our Bottle Baby Trailer on S. Congress at the corner of Gibson.
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