KITTEN SEASON IS HERE... AND YOU CAN HELP

Publication: The Frederick News-Post;

Date: May 17, 2009;

Section: Pets;

Page: C-6

PETS AND PEOPLE

KITTEN SEASON IS HERE... AND YOU CAN HELP

By DIDI CLEMENT Special to the News-Post

    KITTEN SEASON is the unofficial name for the mating season of cats.

    From spring to fall, cats are prolific breeders. A female cat can begin having kittens at six months of age with the possibility of three litters in a year. By the third litter, her kittens are having kittens, too. The size of an average litter is four to six kittens. The result is a surge of pregnant cats and their offspring.

    Kitten season has arrived, and the Frederick County Animal Shelter receives litters of kittens daily. In April, the shelter admitted 228 adoptable cats and kittens, 11 percent more than this time last year.

    To help find responsible homes for the many cats and kittens that have already begun to arrive at the shelter adoption hours in summer include regular weekdays (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) plus Saturdays (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday evenings (from 5 to 8 p.m.). Litters of kittens raised in foster homes appear at the Pet Smart several times a month. Call for a schedule. Shelter visitors can meet more than 100 felines of all different ages and in a wide range of colors — orange, gray, cream and brown tabbies, blue torbies, black and white tuxedo cats and more. Adoption fees of up to $97.50 include spaying or neutering, a microchip, vaccinations, feline leukemia/feline immune deficiency testing, and receipt for a rabies booster at the vet of your choice. Special pricing is offered for multiple adoptions and cats five years old or older.

    The Frederick County Animal Control Center helps by responding to animal-related emergencies. Get assistance at the shelter by calling the emergency services number 301-600-1544 (including after hours) from officers that remain available overnight.

    FCAC has a volunteer training program and supports foster homes for kittens that are too young to be adopted. To volunteer or foster, call 301-600-1546.