Kittens at a Best Friends nursery
Who doesn't love kittens or puppies?! Of course they are super adorable but pet overpopulation is still a HUGE problem in our state as well as across the U.S. and in many other countries. Did you know that many animal shelters do not have the resources to care for underage kittens and routinely kill them? Fortunately organizations such as Best Friends in Kanab, Utah is helping to change this practice. They provide training and grants to establish kitten nurseries, where neo-natal felines without mothers to nurse them can be bottle fed and cared for. Staff and volunteers lovingly tend these little fuzzballs around the clock, which also helps to socialize the kittens in addition to making sure they are physically healthy.
Kittens with their mom often need a quiet foster home for the period of time it takes the kittens to eat solid food and reach at least 2 lbs. so they and their mom can be sterilized, given vaccinations, and then made available for adoption. This process can be as long as 2 months, especially if there are any complications such as upper respiratory disease which is common amongst kittens as their immune systems develop. Fostering is a great option if you aren't quite ready to commit to full-time companion animal or have some extra space in your home and the time and attention to devote to them short-term. You can call on the shelter with any concerns or questions and their veterinarians provide all medical care. It's a great experience even though you have to give the kitties back at the end - unless you decide to adopt them. (That is what's called a "foster failure" but it's not a bad thing!)
Want some inspiration? Check out these precious wee ones who were featured on the Best Friends website recently: Best Friends babies
Please encourage everyone you know to Adopt and not Shop for a pet and to spay or neuter of course!
