Fathers may have been the focus last weekend, but there were a few mothers in need of attention as well; mother cats that is. Two nursing stray cats were found—one in Readsboro and one in Whitingham, with a total of five kittens. Normally a call to the local shelter would allow them to be safely sheltered, and eventually adopted, if no owner was found. However during the height of what is termed “kitten season,” there’s just no room at the inn.
I dread phone calls that start with the words “I found this cat.” Not because there’s an animal in need but because I know there are limited resources and options for cats this time of year.
The waiting list for cats and kittens at local shelters is long and getting longer. When I called the Second Chance Animal Center in Shaftsbury about these cats, they told me there were 53 cats and kittens waiting in foster homes already. And that doesn’t count the animals already in the shelter awaiting adoption. The Windham County Humane Society is also full with a waiting list.
One of the mother cats’ owners was found quickly through word-of-mouth, but the stray calico found in Readsboro wasn’t as fortunate. While her three kittens found homes quickly, she’s being housed at the HSUS office until a home can be located. It’s not an ideal situation. The HSUS building is a business office, not an animal shelter, but I hate to turn an animal away. I’ve had to foster animals in my home as well, but having three cats of my own makes it difficult to do that on a regular basis.
What we really need is to develop a foster care system for animals here in the Deerfield Valley, so that we can supplement the great work that shelters are doing trying to place unwanted animals. We’re looking for local families who might be willing to care for animals on a temporary basis until space is freed up at the local shelters.
If anyone would be willing to serve as a foster home for animals or is interested in adopting the calico kitty, they’re encouraged to contact me at (802) 368-2790. The Whitingham Animal Group already had the needy cat examined by a veterinarian and vaccinated, and plans to pay to have her spayed as well.
Joanne Bourbeau
Humane Society of the United States
Jacksonville
I love cats, but I love wildlife, too. I would never let my cats kill wildlife just in order for the cat to feel the thrill of the kill, or just because I am too lazy to put the cat on a leash. Every village and community is in charge of its own animal control laws. Whitingham/Jacksonville needs to impose a requirement that cats cannot be loose outdoors. Neither should dogs. But, hey - we don't even have a constable. Idiots roar around the roads endangering everyone else, and no one seems to think this is not normal and natural. So, how will a community like this come to agree that loose cats and dogs are a menace to wildlife, and endanger the innocent pets who are being neglected and endangered by irresponsible "owners".