The Jacksonville Humane Society is asking for the community’s help in saving the lives of underage kittens.
So far in 2024, JHS has taken in 407 kittens, and 236 of those came in the last 30 days.
The humane society has served an additional 121 kittens and 17 mother cats through its Kitten Krusader program.
However, there are ways that the public can help, the first and perhaps most vital role that can be played is by being a temporary foster parent by bringing kittens into their homes and raising them until they are eight weeks old.
At eight weeks, the kittens will go back under the care of the humane society, and they will be offered up for adoption by the public. JHS provides all medical care along with food and other supplies.
Foster homes save the lives of kittens of all ages, as some kittens are too young to eat on their own and require feeding from human helpers every few hours.
Others are able to eat on their own and just need socialization from humans, especially if the goal is to get them adopted, it is key to get them used to being around and associating with humans.
Occasionally kittens will come to the shelter with their mother and a foster home provides a safe place for her to raise her kittens with minimal intervention from the foster family. No matter the age, foster homes provide the supervision and care needed for kittens to survive and thrive.
Generally, the younger the kitten is the more supervision and care is required by a foster parent.
Older kittens do not need constant care but still benefit from the comfort of a home rather than being in the shelter environment until they are of adoptable age.
JHS encourages people interested in adopting a kitten to consider fostering as well.
Foster families receive special perks, including their “pick of the litter” to adopt a kitten in their foster care once they are of age and a waived adoption fee for their first kitten adoption.
“This is our busiest time of year for kittens, and it isn’t going to slow down any time soon,” said 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 also asked to remember “don’t kitnap,” which is a slogan used by the humane society that highlights recommendations when kittens are found.
In many cases, it is a person’s first instinct to grab the kitten and take it home, but JHS advises to stop, watch and wait for the mother cat to return.
A kitten’s best chance at survival is to stay with their mother cat, she is likely nearby and waiting for you to leave. Information with the “don’t kitnap” campaign can be found on the JHS website at jaxhumane.org.
Community members who are not able to foster but still want to help kittens in need are encouraged to donate kitten care items to JHS.
The most-needed items can be viewed and ordered directly from the JHS Amazon wish list and shipped to the shelter. The wish list can be found on the website.
For information on becoming a foster parent, donating, or adopting, go to jaxhumane.org or call 904-725-8766.
