As the weather warms up, something big is on the horizon--kitten season! 🐱🌸 While kittens are undeniably adorable, this time of year can be overwhelming for shelters like The Cattery. Every spring and summer, thousands of tiny, vulnerable kittens flood into shelters, often needing round-the-clock care.
So, how can you help? Here are some of the best ways to make a difference this kitten season!

1. Spay & Neuter – It’s the Most Important Step! The best way to reduce the number of homeless kittens is preventing litters before they happen. If your cat isn’t fixed yet, now is the time to schedule that appointment! If you know of community cats in your neighborhood, consider getting involved with Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to stop the cycle of litters being born outside.
💡 Did you know? A single unspayed female cat can have up to 180 kittens in her lifetime! Fixing just one cat can prevent hundreds of future homeless kittens.   If you're local to Corpus Christi, you can set up an appointment at our clinic by emailing [email protected] or calling 361-445-4349!

2. Become a Kitten Foster  Newborn and young kittens require specialized care, from bottle-feeding or weaning to socialization. Shelters simply don’t have enough space to house them all, which is where fosters become lifesavers!
Fostering provides kittens with a safe, loving environment until they are old enough for adoption. It’s a short-term commitment (usually 4-8 weeks) that makes a lifelong impact. If you’ve ever wanted to snuggle kittens, now is your chance!
➡️ We work with Coast Bend Cat Rescue - they have an excellent foster care team!  Reach them at [email protected]

3. Donate Supplies – Every Bit Helps! Kitten season means extra supplies are needed—kitten formula, wet food, heating pads, and more. You can help by donating much-needed items from our wish list!
🍼 Most-needed supplies:
✅ Kitten formula (we prefer KMR)
✅ Canned kitten food (Royal Canin Mother & Baby Cat)
✅ Heating pads (no auto-shutoff)
✅ Miracle Nipples & small bottles
✅ Unscented baby wipes
✅ Soft blankets & small carriers
💙 Check out our Amazon wishlist: https://bit.ly/3QxYAwx

4. Found Kittens? Wait Before You Scoop Them Up! It’s natural to want to help when you find a litter of kittens, but mom might be nearby. If the kittens look clean, warm, and well-fed, observe from a distance for a few hours before intervening. Mom provides the best care possible, and removing them too soon could put them at risk.
📌 Not sure what to do? The Kitten Lady has an excellent website on how to care for kittens:  https://www.kittenlady.org/
📌 Here's a list of items you will need if you are fostering:  https://amzn.to/3ImlzXY​

5. Please Don’t Bring Kittens to a Shelter Unless You’re Willing to Help Find Homes  Shelters are stretched beyond capacity during kitten season, and most simply cannot take in every litter that is found. If you find kittens and are not willing to foster them yourself or help find them homes, please do not pick them up.
Many well-meaning people bring litters to shelters expecting an easy solution, but the reality is that shelters are overwhelmed, and space is extremely limited. Instead of assuming a shelter can take them in, consider stepping up as a foster or reaching out to friends and family who may be able to help.
If you can provide care but need support, we’re happy to help guide you! Many kittens do best in home environments until they’re ready for adoption. Together, we can save more lives.

6. Help Spread the Word! Even if you can’t foster or donate, you can still help! Share our posts, encourage friends to spay/neuter, and educate others about how to help kittens. The more people who know what to do, the better chance we have of saving lives!

💙 Kitten season is challenging, but with your help, we can give kittens the best start in life. Thank you for being part of The Cattery’s lifesaving mission!

A Guide to Keeping Your Cat Safe and Comfortable
Spaying and neutering are some of the best things you can do for your cat’s health and for reducing the number of homeless cats in our community. But once your kitty comes home from surgery, what happens next? Here’s what to expect after their procedure and how you can ensure a smooth recovery.

1. The First 24 Hours: Rest is Best
After surgery, your cat may be groggy, wobbly, or extra sleepy. This is completely normal! The effects of anesthesia can take a full day to wear off. Make sure to:
✅ Keep them in a quiet, comfortable space.
✅ Offer a small meal once they’re awake. They may have a reduced appetite at first.
✅ Avoid excessive handling—some cats may be a little disoriented and grumpy.

2. Checking the IncisionIt’s important to monitor your cat’s incision site daily. What’s normal?
✔ Slight redness or swelling
✔ A small amount of clear discharge
✔ Licking occasionally but not obsessively
✔ A small, firm bump under the incision – This is normal healing tissue (called a suture reaction) and usually goes away on its own within a few weeks.

What’s NOT normal? Contact your vet if you notice:
🚩 Excessive redness, swelling, or pus
🚩 A wide-open incision
🚩 Your cat acting lethargic or refusing food after 24 hours
(Reminder: If your cat was spayed/neutered at our clinic, be sure to follow our post-op care instructions and call us if you have concerns. We cannot cover costs at outside vets if we are not contacted first.)

3. No Jumping, No Rough Play!Cats love to zoom and climb, but after surgery, they need to take it easy. Encourage rest by:
✅ Keeping them in a smaller space (like a bathroom) if needed.
✅ Using a soft e-collar (cone) or recovery suit to prevent licking.
✅ Avoiding interactive play for at least 10-14 days.
💡Most clinics provide hard plastic cones at a drastically reduced price, but if you’d like to prepare ahead of time, you can purchase a soft cone or a recovery suit. These options might be more comfortable for your cat! Here are some of our favorties: ​https://amzn.to/4kk6FCL
​
4. No Baths, No Outdoor Time  Surgical incisions need to stay clean and dry. That means:
❌ No bathing or grooming the area
❌ No going outside (even for supervised time)
❌ No litter that sticks to incisions—use dust-free, shredded paper, or pelleted litter for the first few days.

5. The Final Check: When is Your Cat Fully Healed?
Most cats heal within 10-14 days, but always follow the guidance of your vet or our clinic team. If your kitty is acting normal, eating well, and their incision looks good, they’re all set to return to their usual antics!

Spay/neuter surgery is a simple way to keep your cat healthy while preventing unwanted litters. Thank you for being a responsible pet parent!