Rainy Day in Aiken Brings Hope for Adorable Kittens
Good morning, Aiken! As we woke up to gentle rain showers and overcast skies this morning, it seems like Mother Nature is giving us a cozy reminder to stay in and cuddle up with our furry friends. The forecast indicates that temperatures will climb to a pleasant 82°F, with winds blowing from the northeast at a comfortable 10 to 20 mph. There’s a 40% chance of rain later in the day, so keep that umbrella close!
Aiken County Animal Shelter: A Safe Haven for Kittens
Speaking of furry friends, have you heard about the charming story unfolding at the Aiken County Animal Shelter? With kitten season winding down – or at least we hope – there’s been quite an influx of adorable kittens who are now available for adoption. Among them is a four-month-old kitten named Baby, who is ready to find her forever home. She was fortunately taken in by a kind-hearted finder who fostered her. Isn’t that just heartwarming?
Interestingly, Baby is one of several kittens that have caught the attention of the community this season. In fact, a fellow named Jack, along with six other kittens, was also fostered and they all were snatched up for adoption within just two days after returning from the shelter! It’s a bustling time at Aiken County, and that’s largely thanks to the amazing community involvement.
Community Efforts Keep Kittens Safe
This year has been exceptionally challenging for the shelter, as they faced the toughest kitten season in years. Kittens were found by caring residents and brought to the shelter in larger numbers than ever before, especially from late April through August. Fortunately, thanks to local citizens stepping up to foster these kittens, many of them were able to receive the love and care they truly needed.
To put things in perspective, about 60 compassionate people became kitten fosters this year alone! According to Hillary Clark-Kulis, the manager of the kitten foster program, an astounding 75% of the over 200 kittens found during this season were directly adopted from foster homes. This goes to show how vital our community’s involvement is in ensuring these little ones get their happily ever after.
Fostering Makes a Difference
The shelter has been providing “kitten kits” which contain essential supplies, food, and even veterinary care to those who are willing to foster. With the support of dedicated donors, the shelter has made it possible for fosters to take care of these little furballs, making a significant impact on their lives. Clark-Kulis emphasized how invaluable the fosters are, stating, “Even taking in one litter makes a huge difference, especially when so many babies are being found during the peak of kitten season.”
Call to Action
As we head into the cooler months, shelter staff are making a gentle reminder for pet owners to prioritize spaying and neutering. Even though kitten season is starting to slow down, we may still see a few surprise arrivals popping up around town until mid-October. If you find kittens, please don’t rush to take them in immediately. Make sure their mother isn’t returning to care for them. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to call the County Shelter at 803-642-1537 or email info@fotasaiken.org for some advice and support.
In Numbers
Just to highlight how busy the month of August was, the Aiken County Animal Shelter took in a staggering 514 stray and surrendered pets, which included 139 feral cats that were spayed/neutered as part of the Trap, Neuter, Return program.
So, as you enjoy your day under the clouds, consider stopping by the shelter to meet Baby and her friends! Every little furball deserves a loving home, and together we can create a happier, healthier community for our animal companions.
