Volunteers needed to foster kittens
Animal Services needs volunteers to foster kittens. The current number of foster families is not enough to handle all the litters coming into the shelter.
“MCAS staff are currently taking kittens home for round-the-clock care, in addition to their regular duties, because we have run out of community fosters for bottle babies,” said Natalie Orton, Volunteer Services Coordinator at Mesa County Animal Services.
Fostering allows kittens to stay in a home environment while receiving the care they need. The shelter provides training, supplies and veterinary care.
Community members can apply to foster on the Animal Services website. People who would like to foster must pass a home inspection, provide proof that their own pets are up to date on vaccinations, and not exceed the household pet limit for their jurisdiction.
Sometimes, kittens are brought to the shelter by well-meaning residents who believe they were abandoned. In many cases, the mother cat is nearby and will return if the area is left undisturbed.
What to do if you find kittens
- Watch from a distance for 4 to 6 hours
- Keep people and pets away from the area
- The mother is often nearby and will return
- If the mother does not return, contact local law enforcement before moving the kittens
How residents can help
Mesa County Animal Services is currently in need of:
- Foster volunteers, especially for bottle-fed kittens
- General volunteers to support daily shelter operations
