Berkeley Humane calling for fosters as 'kitten season' begins

BERKELEY, Calif. - Berkeley Humane is operating in "survival mode" as the onset of kitten season brings a surge of young animals to a facility currently without a physical shelter building.

Jill Cooney, Berkeley Humane’s foster program manager, said the organization is currently relying on a network of foster homes to house all of its animals while its new facility is under construction. 

The surge in kittens coincides with the time of year when shelters typically see the highest volume of litters, many of which require intensive care.

Cooney noted that kittens often arrive at shelters after being found by well-intentioned residents. However, she urged people to exercise caution before removing kittens from where they are found.

"We really want to encourage people to make sure that something has happened to mom," Cooney said. "Often they’re just out looking for food or scouting for a safe place to move the kittens to, and the kittens are really way better off with mom."

In cases where the mother cat has died or the kittens are truly orphaned, the animals require immediate intervention. These "bottle babies" are often the most vulnerable population in municipal shelters because they require immediate, around-the-clock care.

Berkeley Humane looking for volunteers

What you can do:

To prevent euthanasia in local municipal shelters, Berkeley Humane is seeking more volunteers to join its foster program. The organization provides all supplies and medical care, and kittens are typically ready for adoption by eight weeks of age. Fosters are given priority should they decide to adopt the animals in their care.

Those interested in fostering, adopting, or learning what to do if they find a litter of kittens can find more information at berkeleyhumane.org