Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM June 8, 2023- June 14, 2023
No. 2816
KIT-NAPPED! It’s kitten season! When you see a litter of kittens outside, your heart tells you to “rescue” them. But Friends of Strays actually suggests to leave them alone. “Kitten season is the time of year when outdoor cats that aren’t fixed are out doing what they do: procreating,” Friends of Strays’ Communication & Marketing Manager Jessica Salmond said. According to the animal shelter, female cats will average three to four litters a year, which leads to the name “kitten season.” From early March to late September, Friends of Strays recommends people to not kit-nap kittens. Kitten litters pop up, but it is best to leave them with their mothers. Salmond said the shelter receives the most calls about stray kittens in late spring through the summer. “People will come across these kittens by themselves and go into panic mode,” Salmond said. “They’re worried that the kittens are starving, they’re alone, and they aren’t being cared for. But, what often ends up happening is the mom is out getting food at the moment.”
JESSICA SALMOND
By Cameron Healy
During kitten season, Friends of Strays partners with other local shelters to take in animals when they are over capacity.
Without education on kitten season, people with good intentions often immediately take the kittens. However, Salmond said this lowers their survival rates significantly. It’s critical for them to stay in the mom’s care. Overall, if you see kittens alone,
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come back in three-six hours to make sure the mom returned. Foster Programs When people take the kittens to Friends of Strays, they end up in Kittens continued on page 10