It’s no coincidence that you’ve noticed an increase in the number of stray cats and kittens in your neighborhood recently — it’s kitten season.
Kitten season in Central Florida begins in early spring and lasts all summer. The warmer weather brings more cats outside, resulting in the birth of thousands of kittens within a few months. This causes overcrowding in shelters and an increase in the number of stray cats roaming the streets.
During this time of year, it is common for over 100 kittens to be brought into Your Humane Society SPCA in Sumter County (YHSSPCA) in a very short period of time. Morgan Gish, the shelter’s director, frequently sees a second wave in the fall.
“Each of these kittens is vetted, microchipped, spayed and neutered, which puts a financial burden on the shelter,” she said. “If the kittens are not old enough to survive on their own, and there is no mother cat, staff and fosters often find themselves bottle feeding these precious babies around the clock.”
The YHSSPCA does everything possible to get ready for the season.
“Our staff meets with lead cat volunteers and works to develop a plan of action for when the season starts,” she said. “Our adoption coordinator, who also manages our foster families, looks at possible areas for kitten foster home expansion.”
The organization strongly discourages kitten-napping, which occurs when a kitten is taken because it appears to be alone. While kittens are occasionally seen running around neighborhoods, their mothers are usually nearby.
The best way to reduce kitten season overpopulation is to have your cats and kittens spayed or neutered.
“According to Planned Pethood Cares, a local nonprofit veterinary clinic, spaying just one female cat can prevent over 2 million cats in three years,” Gish said.
Cat Crazy Villagers, which meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Odell Recreation Center, are led by Marlene Girouard. She has already noticed an increase in kitten populations.
“Kittens can get pregnant as early as 4-6 months old,” said Girourad, of the Village Rio Grande.
Because of the kitten overpopulation, some of them may meet an untimely end.
The Crazy Cat Villagers have a straightforward goal.
“We all love kitties and want to make their lives better,” she said. “I love all living creations. They all have a place on this earth.”
If you’d like to adopt a cat, kitten, or other pet through the YHSSPCA, go to yhsspca.org to see what’s available. If you’d like to volunteer with the YHSSPCA, one of their offsite partners, or foster cats or kittens, please call Ryan Perrone at 352-793-9117.