Santa Rosa County Animal Services Seeks Medical Fosters for Kittens

With kitten season in full swing, the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter is looking for "medical fosters" who can help care for sick kittens that are not old enough to adopt. These kittens need a safe place to rest and recover until they are well and/or eight weeks old. Medical fosters will be responsible for administering treatment, bringing fosters to shelter appointments, and providing a loving environment for recovery. Medical treatment and supplies are provided by the shelter, at no cost to the foster parent. For more information on fostering or to sign up to be a kitten foster, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/727/Foster-Program.

What is Kitten Season?

Kitten season is the time of year when more kittens are being born, usually lasting from April to October. Each season, the shelter sees hundreds of newborn kittens. Kittens do not become available for adoption until they are at least eight weeks of age and healthy. While the shelter does its best to save each one, they do not have adequate resources to care for them all and rely on foster homes to take in several litters during this time.

Wait Until Eight

If someone comes across a litter of kittens, they should not bring them to the shelter. Kittens younger than eight weeks have the best chance of survival with their mothers. Instead, wait six to eight hours for the mother to return. If the mother does not come back during that time, then they can assume care for them.

After someone takes the kittens, they are responsible for their care. If they cannot keep them, they should find a safe home that can bottle-feed them and get appropriate veterinary care until they can find adoptable homes. Bringing kittens to the shelter should be a last resort. Learn more about kitten season and what to do if you find kittens can be found online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/812/Found-Kittens.

Donate

Can't commit to becoming a medical foster? The community can also help by donating time as a volunteer, money, or something from the SRCAS Amazon Wish List.