Consider becoming a foster "kitty" parent.

Kitten season is in full swing at the Shelter and we are throwing a "Rest-of-the-Summer Baby Shower" to help gather the supplies that we so desperately need. For those who don’t know about kitten season— when we see high volumes of kittens—it is the period between spring and fall.

The average size of a litter is 4-6 kittens, and sadly, one female adult cat can produce up to 18 kittens per season! The numbers are tragically high. Kittens are born in to an already overpopulated world. There simply aren’t enough homes for them all. One cat and her offspring in only seven years can produce 420,000 cats!

Many of the kittens brought to our Shelter are found by good Samaritans under decks and in yards without a mother cat. Though we certainly get our fair share of "offspring" from planned and unplanned litters, PLEASE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SPAY AND NEUTER to help us end this vicious cycle.

Upon coming to the Shelter, most of these kittens need extra special care before they are big enough, old enough, or healthy enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted out. Our Shelter utilizes Foster Homes to care for these kitties needing extra special TLC and our foster families are kind loving people who care for our orphaned kittens (and sometimes moms with kittens), in their homes until they are ready for final medical care and adoption...

Our Shelter is ALWAYS IN NEED of foster homes and sadly some cats and kittens have to be turned away from our shelter because we can't accept and house very small, young, and sick kittens. They are immunosuppresed and at risk to become sick, or if they are sick (normally upper respiratory or eye/ear infections),  they could potentially spread it to our healthy felines.

A message from kitten foster mom, Marilyn Dolan.

"This was my first time to be a foster mom...I was really a greenhorn. I signed up for the kittens because I was afraid if I took a puppy or a dog I wouldn't give him back.

And so I took in five kittens to foster....was it fun? you bet...I laughed every day at their antics. Was it work?...you bet...I couldn't get over what a mess five kittens could make, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

I know I will continue to foster for a long time....who knows maybe even a dog."

Should we have kittens surrendered that aren't big enough or healthy enough to be spayed or neutered,  they are isolated, vet checked, vaccinated, weighed and given appropriate medical care and within 24-48 hours are placed in foster homes.

If you and your family (everyone has to be on board!) might be interested in fostering for the Shelter, please contact Melissa at melissa@sterlingshelter.org or call 978-422-8585 ext 114 for more details.

Our foster families are vital and very important (and very special to our staff!!!) to our kitten program and thanks to these loving foster families have saved over 500 felines in on the past couple of years...these are felines that would otherwise have an uncertain fate.

Kitten Shower Items

• Non-clumping cat litter
• Science Diet canned AD food
• Kitten bottles (60 mL size)
• Canned kitten/cat food
• KMR (powdered kitten milk replacer)
• Cat toys
• Soft blankets
• Liquid hand sanitizer (Purell)
• Bleach
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Medium and large dog crates
• Litter scoopers
• Low-sided litter boxes
• Paper plates and paper towels

Get the facts before adopting a puppy from a pet store.

Help stop this cruel practice.

Looking to Adopt a Puppy? Beware of Puppy Mills!

Nationwide, in spite of a good deal of press and television coverage, there are still people who don't know that puppies sold in pet stores, and on the Internet, are supplied by large inhumane breeding operations called puppy mills. There is simply no other way for pet stores to have a constant supply of puppies of different breeds.

Please educate yourself and others before adopting a puppy from a pet store.

• Couple Pays Thousands For Sick Puppy purchased at Elite Puppies in Webster MA- Boston News Story - WCVB Boston
   
• Rescued Puppies Remain In Emergency Room
   
• Team 5 Investigates hundreds of dogs shipped to Laughlin Kennel & Elite Puppies, Webster MA - Puppy Mill Owner Faces Charges - Dogs Sold To Mass. Pet Shops
   
• Pet Stores Enable Puppy Mills

If you have purchased a puppy from a pet store, we encourage you to request your free "puppy report."

If you haven't seen the story that Oprah presented about pet store puppies and puppy mills, we encourage you to watch this video.

 

"Legs" are vital to the pre-arranged journeys that take rescued animals to their forever homes!

A swelling group of people who meet up in cyberspace are opposed to what happens to millions of our nation's homeless animals once their shelter stay expires. They deem the killing unacceptable and
unjust; and they're doing something about it.

The increasingly popular activity that saves these animals' lives takes place every weekend, all over the country. The "legs," (as they are known to the people who drive them) are vital to the pre-arranged journeys that take rescued animals home.

Fifteen Legs documentary is airing on PBS stations.

» Click here for broadcast information!

 

Make the proper
arrangements when
traveling with your pet.

If you determine it is best for your pet to accompany you, you will need to devote extra time to prepare for the journey. For example, you will need to have all of the supplies necessary to keep your pet comfortable while away from home, and you'll need to familiarize yourself with any pet-related restrictions or requirements imposed by hotels, airlines, destination states or countries, etc.

Research the various guidelines for traveling with a pet to make the journey a safe and enjoyable one for both you, the family, and your companion.

• HSUS: Caring for Pets When You Travel
   
• Pet Travel
  The Internet's most complete source of information for airline travel with your pet. Airline transport rates are going up on a daily basis and we may not have the most current rate posted.
   
• ASPCA Travel Tips
   
• Pets Welcome
   
• Pets On the Go
   
• Dogfriendly.com
   

Enjoy your vacation with all family members....