From the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society (Berkeley, California 94710)
In September 2011, we launched an exciting new pilot program designed to provide unique 24/7 care for kittens under 8 weeks old. Underage kittens have long been the group of animals most at risk for euthanasia in community shelters because of their many care needs, the lack of available foster homes, and the number of kittens born in the East Bay every year. At the nursery, caregivers work in shifts around the clock to provide supportive care, age-appropriate transition from bottle feeding to solid diets, and crucial socialization. Kitten Nursery goals include reducing euthanasia of underage kittens in shelters, providing quality care to allow kittens to thrive, and nurturing the human-kitten bond by raising kittens to be excellent pet cats. Since the first kittens entered the nursery on September 7th, we have cared for more than 40 litters of over 100 kittens who would have otherwise been euthanized. We estimate that we can save up to 300 kittens throughout the fall and winter season, and hundreds more if the program is continued past the pilot period into the spring and summer.
Needs
Donations: Monetary donations are needed to keep the kitten nursery operating and expand the program’s capacity to care for more kittens. The nursery team maintains a wish list of new and used items needed to run the nursery — all donations are tax deductible.
Read more about the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society’s Kitten Nursery Program.
