It’s kitten season once again…

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/06/2020 (2153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

So it’s that time of the year again. Yes, it’s kitten season.

There are lots of stray cats on the streets right now…. Well, always, unfortunately. That’s because people get cats and when they decide they no longer want them, the cats are discarded like trash.

Did you know that a cat can be a 20-year commitment? Anyone getting a cat should be aware of this extremely important fact. And they should also know that cats aren’t disposable.

A lot of the time, people want kittens because they are cute. Decisions are made on a whim without considering the long term.

Unfortunately, when a cat is no longer wanted some people chose to abandon them outside. The cat will be traumatized, in danger and have no food.

A male cat that isn’t neutered will contribute to the feral cat population. A female cat that isn’t spayed will soon become a pregnant cat. In a few months she will have a litter of kittens.

Not only will mom become pregnant again in the near future but her female kittens could become pregnant as early as six-months old, and the male kittens will be contributing to the cat population. It’s a terrible cycle that needs to stop.

This cycle is not just because of abandoned cats. Many pet cats that are let outside to roam around on the streets. If your cat is not spayed or neutered, then you are not only an irresponsible cat owner, you are adding to the cat population.

Of course, not all people are like this. There are committed and good pet-owners out there who will get cats and give them everything. They are treated like family. Spoiled and loved. As every furry family member should be.

Honey was abandoned when her owners moved. She was not spayed and was already pregnant when she was brought into care. This young girl had seven kittens exactly one month later. Can you imagine mom and these little ones trying to survive outside?

Not all cats are lucky like Honey. Honey and her kittens are loved. Without being rescued she could have been sentenced to a life outside turning out litter after litter. That is no life for a cat.

Jennifer Laferriere is a community correspondent for Garden City.