GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) — With the arrival of warmer temperatures, animal shelters in the region are gearing up for kitten season, their busiest time of year. This season, which typically spans from spring through late summer, sees a significant increase in cat reproduction and a rise in the number of newborn kittens brought to shelters.
Read More
Jenna Kretschman, communications coordinator for Roice-Hurst Humane Society, noted that kitten season, while charming in name, poses substantial challenges for shelters. "We tend to see a few hundred kittens come in every single year. So, we really rely on foster homes to ensure that all of these kittens are properly cared for throughout kitten season. Community support is crucial for us," she said.
Many of the incoming kittens are not old enough for adoption and may require intensive care to survive, adding pressure on staff, volunteers, and foster networks. Kretschman emphasized, "A lot of them are too young for adoption when they come in. So we really rely on foster homes to make sure that all of these kittens are taken care of throughout kitten season."
A common misconception is that kittens found outdoors are abandoned. Misty Prows, an animal control specialist with the Grand Junction Police Department, stated that often the mother cat is nearby. "Unless the kittens appear to be sick or injured, we do not want them to be touched. We want them to be left where they are," Prows advised. She explained that it is healthiest for the kittens to receive their mother's milk for the first six weeks.
Prows also explained that mother cats often leave temporarily to hunt and are known to return once it is safe. "A lot of people are concerned that it’s cold or that the mom’s not around taking care of them. She will leave to hunt. She will come back," she said.
Shelter staff encourage anyone who is unsure how to proceed to contact them before intervening. "Give us a call. If it is confirmed that mom is not around anymore, we will come and pick up those kittens," Prows noted. She added that both shelters and volunteers can become overwhelmed during this time, reinforcing the importance of leaving kittens with their mothers when possible.
Kitten season may persist throughout the summer months, and with this winter being particularly mild, shelters are bracing for a particularly busy period. They urge the community to help through fostering, donating, or adopting older cats, which can significantly alleviate the strain on resources.