It’s still summer, its still hot and will be for at least two more months.

Kitten season is the time of year when cats give birth, flooding animal shelters and rescue groups across the nation with homeless litters. Kitten season is really three seasons in one, starting in spring, peaking in late spring or early summer, and ending in fall.

But the more intense kitten season happens in the spring.

For shelter workers, kitten season can be the very worst time of year. An estimated 20 million kittens were be born this spring alone. There simply aren’t enough homes for all of them — instead, they overwhelm shelters, which are often taxed for space at the best of times.                                                                                                                                A huge amount of kittens have nowhere to go. People bring them to shelters, and the shelters become overcrowded because it’s not spread out throughout the year. When resources are limited, staff is strained. They’re often forced to make tough decisions.

Spring fever starts an endless summer of kittens

Usually, it starts around March and lasts until about June, but the actual length of the spring kitten season varies around the country. For instance, the Northeast may experience a shorter season compared to the South, where cats can breed year-round because of the warmer climate.

Kittens are more desirable to potential adopters, most shelters don’t have the resources to care for an influx of very young kittens.   Neo natal kittens that are about 2 to 3 weeks old must be bottle-fed every few hours. Shelters must place them with someone who is trained to care for newborns. If they don’t find those adopters or foster placements fast, the kittens are often euthanized.

Trap-Neuter-Return reduces kitten intake 

At least 13 million of the 20 million kittens expected to be born each year will come from free-roaming cats.  Some cats can be in heat for up to 20 weeks each year. Compare that to dogs, who can be in heat almost 4 weeks each year.

That’s why aggressive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs in communities are crucial to minimizing the influx of kittens to shelters during kitten season.

As we gear up for end of summer, an accelerated work schedule and back to school makes a perfect time to visit your local shelter who still have no shortage of wonderful adoptable kittens, adults cats and dogs to find a new addition to the family. Visit one soon and see the new life long companions that await you.