It’s Almost Kitten Season: Beat The Heat Q & A

The last time I saw these cute shelter kittens they were waiting for their feline leukemia test results. The odds are stacked against them for a happy life but there is hope. They are a harbinger of the kitten season looming ahead but Alley Cat Allies, our favorite national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats has launched a new spay/neuter campaign called Beat The Heat.

Hannah Shaw the Alley Cat Allies Campaign Manager kindly took the time to respond to our Q & A with her valuable insights. Our regular Cat Wisdom 101 readers are a savvy bunch but I’m asking that you share this post so someone who needs to see it, will. It may be the kindest act you can do today.

Q. & A. With Hannah Shaw

LMW: With Valentine’s Day around the corner can you suggest how cat lovers can show some love toward feral cats?

HS: Although we can’t snuggle up with unsocialized cats, we can love community cats on the cats’ terms by providing for their unique needs. Trap-Neuter-Return is the best way people can show their love for community cats (also called “feral cats”)—providing the cats with medical care and regular feeding is truly compassionate. You can also show you love community cats by building an outdoor cat shelter or a feeding station. I think anything you do on the cats’ behalf, including advocating for them, is a great way to show that you love them.

LMW: Tell us a little about the Beat the Heat campaign.

HS: Alley Cat Allies’ “Beat the Heat” campaign is all about getting people in every community to start spaying and neutering cats in winter before prime kitten season kicks in. Cats start breeding in the winter and give birth to kittens in the spring and summer, so by spaying and neutering cats in the wintertime, people can prevent the peak of pregnant cats and new litters in the spring. More cats spayed and neutered before kitten season means fewer litters will be taken to animal shelters in the spring. The truth is that over 70% of cats who enter shelters are killed there.

LMW: How do you feel about giving kittens as Valentine’s Day gifts?

HS: Adopting a cat isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly—it is a commitment of care and love that can last upwards of 20 years. So when considering giving a loved one the gift of a rescued cat, keep that in mind and make sure that the person you’re giving the cat to is capable of caring for the cat and has expressed a desire to adopt a cat. That said, there’s a lot of misinformation out there that discourages people from adopting for a special occasion, but people may be surprised to hear that research shows that receiving a pet as a gift doesn’t increase the likelihood of that pet being sent back to the shelter. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save her life. Adopting a cat on a holiday or special occasion isn’t that different than adopting on any other day, so long as you are prepared for the responsibility of caring for a cat. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or just a normal Tuesday, rescuing a cat from a shelter is an incredible act of love and compassion.

LMW: What is the most prevalent myth about feral cats?

HS: I think the most prevalent myth about feral cats is that they can’t live healthy, long lives outdoors. This is simply not true. Community cats are very well-adapted to living outdoors and have been doing so alongside people for thousands of years. In fact, cat litter has only been around for the past half century or so. People can help community cats by practicing Trap-Neuter-Return, which prevents colonies from expanding, and keeps them healthy through vaccinations and regular feeding. Cats who call the outdoors home are not suffering—they’re just as healthy and live just as long as pet cats. 5. What’s the most prevalent myth about kittens and spay/neuter? a. I think the most prevalent myth about spay/neuter is actually when kittens can be neutered. Kittens can be neutered as early as 2 months of age, or as soon as they weigh 2 pounds. We like to call it the “2 Pound Spay/Neuter Rule,” and the science supports it. Research shows that kittens neutered before 12 weeks have fewer complications from surgery, and they rebound much faster than cats over 6 months of age. Veterinarians also say it’s an easier, faster procedure, with the most prevention per dollar invested.

Individuals can find additional help at www.alleycat.org/GetHelp or request a list of local resources, including spay/neuter clinics and community cat organizations at www.alleycat.org/Response.

We have more love to share. Congratulations to our two winners of our Double Valentine Gift Pack Giveaway The winner of Gift Pack # 1 which includes a Kitty Kuddly, a chocolate heart box catnip toy and a red hearts collar from Ripley Wear is: Sometimes Cats Herd You.The winner of gift pack # 2 which includes a hand-painted tote bag and a three pack of leather catnip toys is Sheila K.