HAGERSTOWN – The Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) is expecting… lots of kittens! To prepare for the rapidly approaching season, the shelter is hosting its 8th Annual Kitten Shower on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, from 1 pm – 3 pm. A play on the traditional baby shower, the afternoon will be filled with baby shower games, light refreshments, demonstrations on caring for kittens, and raffle prizes. 

The community is encouraged to donate essential supplies to help care for this year’s incoming kittens. The most urgently needed items are KMR or Breeders Edge powder, liquid kitten milk replacer, Fresh News unscented non-clumping paper litter, Purina Pro Plan wet pate chicken & liver kitten food (no seafood flavors, please), Royal Canin Mother & Babycat dry food or mousse wet canned food, Pet-Ag bottle kits and Miracle nipples, and digital thermometers (flexible tip and waterproof). Items can be purchased directly from the shelter’s Amazon Baby Registry (search using names Sarah Verdugo and Kim Jones). 

Typically, kitten season starts when the weather warms and intact cats reproduce at a faster rate. Continuing into spring and summer, HSWC’s kitten intakes can quadruple at any given time. Because infant animals require more time and resources than their adult counterparts, they are most often cared for offsite by volunteer foster families until they are ready for adoption. 

“Currently, we have 29 cats and kittens, 8 dogs and puppies, and 10 rabbits and kits in foster care, but that will exponentially increase soon,” said Sarah Verdugo, Manager of Lifesaving Programs. “Within a few months, we will have close to 300 animals in foster care. In fact, in the last few years, we’ve averaged a 614% increase in the number of cats in foster care from the beginning of March to the end of May.” 

The community can also help raise funding for supplies by participating in virtual raffles. They will be held on HSWC’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hswcmd) beginning March 11th. Raffles include Brewery gift certificates, therapeutic massage packages and more. 

For those interested in being even more involved, HSWC is actively seeking more fosters to help with the influx of kittens. To learn more, email fostercare@hswcmd.org. 

The Humane Society of Washington County exists to promote the welfare of companion and domestic animals through educational programs and initiatives that reduce pet overpopulation, endorse fostering, enrich adoptions, and encourage responsible pet guardianship.