Why Feral Kitten Survival Rely on Human Intervention
Feral kittens are a common sight in many neighborhoods, but without human intervention, they face a high mortality rate. According to the Douglas Animal Welfare Group, without human assistance, many feral kittens perish in their first few weeks of life. Those that do survive often become feral themselves, leading to a cycle of homelessness and neglect.
Breaking the Cycle: The Found Cat Program
The Douglas Animal Welfare Group’s (DAWG) Found Cat program has been instrumental in helping to break this cycle. Launched in 2016, the program has already helped over 2,000 homeless felines find their forever homes. At the heart of the program are volunteer foster families who provide a safe and nurturing environment for the kittens until they are ready for adoption.
Meet the Foster Families
Some of the foster families who have participated in the program include Janie Cloutier, who became a foster in May after seeing an article about kitten fostering in the DAWG newsletter. Janie was referred to Tondra Vees, the program’s manager, who arranged for her to take in four adorable kittens. “When the kittens arrived, they were scared and shaking,” Janie said. “I just laid down on the floor in their room and eventually they all came out and started tumbling all around me. It was adorable.”
Support for Foster Families
DAWG provides all necessary expenses, including food, litter, and supplies, as well as coordination and payment for any necessary medical care. Foster families must have a safe and adequate space for the kittens, but DAWG is happy to provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.
The Adoption Process
Once the kitten is ready for adoption, DAWG takes care of the logistics, using Petfinder, social media, and special adoption events to find the purrfect match. Foster families provide information to potential adopters and arrange for a “meet and greet.” When it appears to be a good match, the foster takes the kitten to the Douglas County Animal Services shelter for adoption processing.
Janie Cloutier, a foster parent, shares her experience: “My family said I would get too attached to the kittens and that it would be hard to give them up. But I went into this knowing that the kittens would be loved and go to good homes. Seeing the adopters fall in love with their new kitten is heartwarming. I have fostered 13 kittens this summer, and I have received photos and updates from my ‘kittens’ adopters.”
If you’re interested in becoming a foster for homeless cats and kittens, call DAWG at 775-267-7325 and ask to be referred to Tondra Vees, the program’s manager. With your support, the Found Cat program can continue to help break the cycle of homelessness and find forever homes for these adorable felines.
| Organization | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| DAWG | Phone: 775-267-7325 |
| Douglas Animal Welfare Group | Phone: 775-782-9061 |
- Call DAWG at 775-267-7325 to learn more about the Found Cat program and to be referred to Tondra Vees, the program’s manager.
- Visit dawgrescue.com for more information on the program and to find adoptable cats and kittens.
- Follow DAWG on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates from the Found Cat program.
“Without human intervention, many of these tiny bundles of fur perish in the first few weeks.” – Douglas Animal Welfare Group
By supporting the Found Cat program, you can help break the cycle of homelessness and find forever homes for these adorable felines.
Help is available to those who want to become foster families and provide a safe and nurturing environment for these vulnerable animals.
- Over 2,000 homeless felines have been helped by the Found Cat program since its launch in 2016.
- DAWG provides all necessary expenses, including food, litter, and supplies, as well as coordination and payment for any necessary medical care.
- Foster families must have a safe and adequate space for the kittens, but DAWG is happy to provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.
By supporting the Found Cat program, we can help break the cycle of homelessness and find forever homes for these adorable felines. With the help of volunteer foster families and the support of organizations like DAWG, we can make a difference in the lives of these vulnerable animals.
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