As kitten season fills shelters with litters of playful cats, the Wake County Animal Center is preparing for one of its busiest times of the year. During National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, the shelter is encouraging the community to make a difference by adopting, fostering or supporting cats and kittens in need.
“This time of year, animal shelters across the country experience a sharp rise in kittens needing care, temporary placement and permanent homes,” said Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson. “The Wake County Animal Center is seeing more kittens arrive as the season gets underway, creating a greater need for adoptions and community members willing to open their homes to cats and kittens in need.”
To encourage adoptions during National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, the Wake County Animal Center is hosting a monthlong cat adoption promotion. Throughout June, adoption fees for all cats older than 6 months will be just $5.
Currently, 10 cats and 19 kittens are available for adoption at the shelter, while an additional 35 cats and 205 kittens are being cared for in foster homes. Because many kittens in foster care are still too young or under the required weight for surgery, only 19 cats and six kittens in foster care are currently available for adoption.
Each summer, the Animal Center facilitates more than 500 kitten adoptions as kittens reach the age and weight requirements for adoption. Kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds before they can be adopted because they must be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Every adopted cat or kitten goes home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
What to do if you find kittens outdoors
During kitten season, residents often discover litters of kittens outside and immediately bring them to shelters. However, in many cases, kittens are safest remaining where they are because their mother is nearby searching for food.
Separating kittens from their mother too early can negatively affect their health and development. Whenever possible, kittens should remain with their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old.
If you find kittens outdoors:
- Observe from a distance. If the kittens appear clean, quiet or are nursing, their mother is likely nearby caring for them.
- Avoid moving them immediately. Mother cats provide the best care and greatest chance of survival for young kittens.
- Monitor the situation. If the mother does not return within 6–8 hours, or if the kittens appear sick, injured, cold or in danger, contact local animal services for guidance.
Ready to adopt? Check out our adoption gallery or come by and see the sweet faces for yourself. The shelter is open for adoptions daily from noon–6 p.m., seven days a week. It is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Avenue in Raleigh.
