By Heather Nokes

“Kitten season” refers to the period from early spring to late fall when most kittens are born. This phenomenon is mostly due to warmer weather allowing stray or outdoor cats to venture out and begin procreating. Female cats become sexually mature as young as five months of age. In addition, because the gestation period for cats is only about two months long, they can have several litters in one year!

As kitten season ramps up, local shelters and rescues, like the Humane Society of Loudoun County (HSLC), are in dire need of kitten and cat fosters.

Why you should foster

Andi, pictured with little Ramone, has fostered over 130 cats and counting!

Fostering kittens is a rewarding experience. As a foster, you save lives while enjoying all the adorable antics that make kittens irresistible. One of HSLC’s expert kitten fosters, Andi, has been fostering cats and kittens—over 130 in total—with her husband since 2012! She had this to say about her fostering experience:

“The best part [about fostering] is being able to watch them go from sickly to healthy or from angry/scared, hissy-spitties to lap-loving cuddlebugs.”

What to know before fostering

Andi states that while kitten fostering is fun, it can also be a lot of work. You must watch the little souls closely to ensure they stay safe. If something seems odd, do not be afraid to ask questions (HSLC has an awesome foster coordinator who can help!)  Be sure to love them unconditionally, and be happy to see them go to great homes.

What you need to foster

Kittens should be isolated from other pets in the home until vetted and given a clean bill of health. This is why setting up a “home base” for them is important. If they are young, a large dog crate will work; if older, an entire room would be a better fit.

Your home base should consist of:

• Clean, fresh bedding that is easy to change and wash.
• Soft surfaces that are not too high up, nothing that a kitten could get stuck in (trash can, boxes).
• A shallow litter box with a small amount of non-clumping litter.
• Shallow water and food dishes that are easy to clean.
• A healthy and safe environment for their foster kittens; any cleaning products should be removed from the kitten foster room.
• Small, soft toys that are not easily ingested or torn apart.

Kitten Veterinary care

The Humane Society of Loudoun County will pay for the veterinary care of its kittens. The first couple of vet visits often include deworming and/or flea treatment. If the kittens are healthy enough, vaccines and FeLV/FIV tests may be conducted. HSLC also spays/neuters around 4 months of age. More complicated reasons for a vet visit include diarrhea, dehydration and upper respiratory infections. For these conditions, medications may be sent home with the foster to give the kitten regularly. A healthy kitten is a happy kitten!

Saying goodbye

Saying goodbye may be the hardest part of fostering. It is important to remember that this is why you fostered, for a happy, healthy kitten to find a forever home!

Interested in giving cat or kitten fostering a try? Complete a no-obligation application today!

Stop by the Humane Society of Loudoun County‘s tent while shopping at the Leesburg Farmers Market on Saturday, October 14, and enter our free raffle!

Please bring adult dog and cat food (unopened, unexpired and non-prescription) to donate to the Loudoun Pet Pantry. The pantry collects pet food to help keep companion animals in their loving homes during difficult times. In 2022, the pantry provided over 24,000 pounds of pet food to struggling families in Loudoun County. HSLC will also be collecting monetary donations to help the at-risk and homeless animals in our community.

Stop by the Humane Society of Loudoun County‘s tent while shopping at the Leesburg Farmers Market on July 8 and enter our free raffle! Please bring adult dog and cat food (unopened, unexpired and non-prescription) to donate to the Loudoun Pet Pantry. The pantry collects pet food to help keep companion animals in their loving homes during difficult times. In 2022, the pantry provided over 24,000 pounds of pet food to struggling families in Loudoun County. HSLC will also be collecting monetary donations to help the at-risk and homeless animals in our community.

It’s hard to believe but 2024 is just around the corner. Are you thinking about adopting one or two new animal-friendly habits in the new year? If so, we’re here to help. Below are just a few resolutions to choose from:

1) Keep your pets healthy by giving them regular checkups—at least once a year and keep current with vaccinations.

2) Make dental care a priority through daily brushing and regular professional dental exams and cleanings. As many as 85% of American dogs and cats show signs of dental disease by the age of three.

3) If you haven’t already, spay and neuter your pets. Doing so helps cut down on the number of homeless animals and keeps your pets healthier.

4) Give your pets plenty of attention. Animals left at home alone become bored and lonely. They can become destructive. Provide regular play sessions, walks for dogs, and petting and/or other appropriate interaction for all animals.

5) Go easy on the treats. More than 50% of our nation’s pets are overweight or obese and face a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, and cancer.

6) Prepare for disasters—fires, floods, storms, and the like. Have an evacuation plan that includes your animal companions, and prepare a traveling kit to have on hand always.

7) Be a voice for the voiceless and use social media to encourage friends, family and co-workers to save a life by adopting, not shopping.

8) Fostering also saves lives. HSLC provides regular trainings for those who are interested in fostering. Contact us at foster@humaneloudoun.org if you’re interested in fostering or complete a no-obligation application on our website.

The new year brings 365 days of renewed hope, new goals, and new opportunities to focus on our furry friends. The custom of making New Year’s resolutions has been around for thousands of years. Today, most resolutions revolve around self promises and improvements. But why not make some resolutions around your pets? 

This year, consider your pets when making New Year’s resolutions. Just like us, they could benefit from improvements to their wellness routines. It’s easy. Think about the resolutions that you want for yourself. What makes you happy? What new activity do you want to try? What are the healthy lifestyle changes you want to make? Now, see if you can incorporate your pet into these ideas. 

Here are some New Year’s resolution ideas we think will help promote a happier, healthier year for you and your four-legged friends:.

1. Exercise/Play Regularly

Exercising and playing with your pet is a satisfying experience that can relieve pet stress and lead to relaxation. Playtime can also be a great way for you to get a little exercise at the same time as your pet. An increase in activity (like playing with toys or going on walks) is necessary in order for your pet to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you have a hectic schedule, aim to get in at least 15 minutes of pet playtime/exercise every day. 

2. Brush Daily

One of the best things you can do for your pet is to establish an at-home dental care routine. Both dogs and cats benefit from teeth brushing. At an early age, pets can develop dental disease which causes them pain. The build-up of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis can worsen their problems. You can start by brushing your pet’s teeth a few nights a week and working up to daily brushings. Try keeping your pets toothpaste and toothbrush in a spot that you see daily as a friendly reminder. 

3. Groom Often

While you’re making a resolution to brush your pet’s teeth daily, why not include regular grooming? Grooming your pet can remove excess fur from the coat and reduce the amount you find on your clothes and furniture. It can also help to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Plus, a majority of pets love to be groomed. 

4. Eating Better

This is the perfect time to evaluate what, when and how much your pet is eating. Resolve to ensure that your pet is eating the proper diet for their age and nutritional requirements. Don’t just eyeball the amount of food you are giving them, use proper measuring cups. Also, stay mindful of the food your pet is eating: both meals and treats. No more table scraps. Try healthier snack options like homemade pet treats.

5. Keep Up to Date

Entering a new year, it is a good time to make sure your pet has an updated tag and microchip information. Maybe you’ve recently moved to a new house, changed your phone number or maybe your pet has lost their ID tag? Making sure their information is up to date is the best way to ensure a lost pet can make their way safely home. 

In addition to their info, establishing regular check-ins with a vet makes sure their health is up to date. Common chronic issues (like diabetes and arthritis) can be managed better when diagnosed early. Regular vet visits mean earlier detection, which will lengthen your pet’s healthy years. Making sure your pets get their yearly checkups and shots is even more crucial if they have entered their senior years. 

6. Volunteer

Still in need of another New Year’s resolution? Why not make one of your resolutions about helping your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Whether it is by fostering a rescue pet, making a monetary or food donation, or volunteering your time, giving back is one of the best resolutions you can make for the upcoming year! 

Follow this link to learn more about volunteering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

Follow this link to learn more about fostering through the Humane Society of Loudoun County.

Come meet adoptable cats and kittens!  Visit our website for a sneak peek of cats and kittens that are available!

To volunteer and/or bring your foster animals, please click on the following link or copy the link into a new browser window:

Sunday, November 7th Sign-up:   CLOSED

The volunteer sign up for events is for current volunteers who have attended our Volunteer Orientation and signed a Volunteer Agreement. Contact HELPANIMALS@HUMANELOUDOUN.ORG for more information

.

This is Peggy.  And, if we’re honest, Peggy has resting “witch” face. It’s not her fault, of course. But, many adopters overlook cats with inner beauty, like Peggy, in favor of the outwardly pretty kitties.

To add insult to injury, Peggy only has three legs. Actually, that’s not as bad as it sounds as many tripods get around pretty well. But, she will still need a forever family who is patient with her mobility issues.

When we rescued Peggy last May (yes, she’s been waiting that long to be adopted), she was hungry and in pain. Her leg and paw were broken and had to be amputated. Plus, she had just given birth a week before and was desperately trying to care for her kittens. Sadly, only two survived but they were immediately placed into foster care and adopted into a wonderful home.

After all she’s been through, Peggy definitely deserves a second chance at happiness. Unfortunately, she faces a lot of competition for attention. So, for special cats like Peggy, having a sponsor–aka Guardian Angel–can help improve the odds that they will find their purr-fect forever home.

How to get your wings

Making a direct and meaningful difference in the life of an animal in need will give you a warm and fuzzy feeling. And, it’s super easy to do. To become a Guardian Angel for Peggy or any of the animals in our care, please visit our donation page. In the dedication section, let us know which cat(s) you would like to sponsor. Through a one-time donation, you can cover the $150 adoption fee in part or full. If you are donating through a mobile device, the dedication field may not appear. In that case, simply send an email to anne@humaneloudoun.org and let us know which animal(s) you are sponsoring. Thank you!