Osceola County Animal Services is being inundated with adorable, fluffy animals, and officials say it’s simply too many.
In May, the shelter received almost 50 animals in 5 hours, including 13 kittens without mothers, four litters with mothers, and a pregnant female cat that gave birth to five kittens that night.
The community can help by:
- Encouraging pet owners to spay/neuter their pets
- Avoiding giving up pets unless all other options have been exhausted
“The shelter should be the absolute last resort for any pet owner,” said Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “While our shelter has some resources to help pet owners who are struggling financially, the community can really help us if they are willing – in the short-term – to care for any kittens they find.”
Animal Services says that anyone who finds a litter of kittens and has the time and ability to care for them until they are 8 weeks of age and 2 pounds, can ask about the Kit and Kaboodle program. Finders are given food, supplies, and information so they can care for the litter and avoid having to leave them at the shelter at risk of being euthanized.
In addition, Animal Services will vaccinate and deworm the kittens at the appropriate age, and once the kittens are 8 weeks of age and 2 pounds in weight, they can be spayed/neutered and placed for adoption.
Osceola County already partners with the local non-profit organization SNiP-It! The organization operates a clinic at 3096 Michigan Avenue in Kissimmee, which aims to assist Osceola County residents in being responsible pet owners by providing safe and affordable spay/neuter services.
For more information about services available at the SNiP-It! Clinic, or to make an appointment, please visit www.letssnipit.org.
Additionally, deterrent devices are available for loan to Osceola County residents that are having problems with cats coming onto their property. These deterrents are safe, humane and effective at keeping unwanted pets off your lawn, officials said. Citizens using the “scarecrow,” a motion activated sprinkler that sends a burst of water when movement is detected, have reported positive results.
If you need additional information, please contact Kim Staton at kim.staton@osceola.org.