Underage Kitten Training Program Seeks Volunteers in Long Beach

Alma Vera-Lima, shelter superintendent at LBACS, emphasized the positive impact of fostering shelter pets on both the animals and the community. She highlighted the Compassion Saves model, which focuses on saving as many pets as possible through partnerships and volunteer efforts, providing veterinary care, behavioral training, and promoting spay/neuter initiatives.

During peak kitten season, kittens are frequently abandoned or separated from their mothers, leading to an increase in their intake at shelters. Staff shortages and limited resources in shelters like LBACS exacerbate the challenges, resulting in high euthanasia rates for these young animals.

“Volunteers are critical in saving the most vulnerable populations that we have,” Vera-Lima remarked, noting the importance of foster homes for unweaned kittens. Fostering involves intensive care, including feeding every few hours, weighing the kittens, administering vaccinations, and identifying emergencies. Prospective fosters received guidance and encouragement during the training, which provided essential resources, including a “layette set” containing formula and feeding supplies.

Deborah Felin-Magaldi, cofounder of Helen Sanders CatPAWS, discussed her two decades of experience caring for underage kittens, stressing the importance of warmth and proper nutrition in their development. She provided a timeline and specific care guidelines while demonstrating feeding techniques to attendees.

Participants practiced syringe feeding and learned about recognizing health issues in kittens. Vera-Lima acknowledged the high mortality rates among this vulnerable population, stating that even experienced fosters may face challenges, but every effort made holds value.

As kittens mature, fosters will eventually bring them in for vaccinations and spaying/neutering before they are placed for adoption, a bittersweet moment for many who foster.

LBACS also supports community spay/neuter initiatives through CatPAWS’ low-cost clinics. Felin-Magaldi encouraged potential fosters to consider joining the cause, stating, “Fostering will change your life, knowing that a real creature is alive because of you.”

For those interested in fostering, LBACS provides training and support. Individuals unable to foster can assist by advocating for kittens in need, ensuring they find loving homes.