Kitten Shower

This year, Friends of the Animal Shelter was given an ultimatum regarding kittens – either pay the County a fee-per-kitten to foster, or they won’t accept kittens at all. Understanding the possible fate these kittens would face if the Shelter was unwilling to accept them, as well as the impact this would have on the cat overpopulation crisis, Friends of the Animal Shelter agreed. The lives and wellbeing of these vulnerable kittens are well worth the time, effort, and expense required to care for them.

As of April 1st, Jackson County Health and Human Services (under which the Jackson County Animal Shelter is managed) is charging Friends of the Animal Shelter close to $200 for every kitten we foster to cover the cost of food, vaccinations and spay/neuter. We have never had to pay a fee before, and frankly, it’s not in our budget.

Please consider sponsoring a kitten (or 2 or 3) for $200 each.

If you would like to send a check, please make it out to Friends of the Animal Shelter,
and write KITTEN SHOWER on the memo line.
Mail it to Friends of the Animal Shelter, PO Box 1013, Phoenix, OR 97535.

Sadly, the County is not accepting neo-natal (bottle) babies, pregnant cats, or mama-kitties with kittens. Only “weaned” (eating out of bowl) kittens. And, they are limiting the number of kittens that can “officially” be in foster care at any given time.

Friends of the Animal Shelter is up for the challenge! We are eager to do what we need to do. We going to foster kittens. Both weaned and bottle babies. We will also work with local feline rescue organizations to ensure we help as many kittens and cats in our community as possible.

Examples of “Regular” expenses:

Kitten milk replacement formula: Close to $300 for a 20 lb. bucket (we go through 6 – 8 of these each year)
Canned and dry kitten food: $100/kitten
Kitty Litter: Lots of it!
Flea and ear mite treatment: $20/kitten
Play Pens that can be cleaned and re-used
Spay/Neuter: $100/kitten

Examples of Medical expenses:

Vet visits for analysis – helps if we know what we’re treating! Huge expense!
Blood and fecal tests
Ringworm tests, oral and topical treatments: $100/kitten
Medicines specific to medical issues, like giardia or coccidia
Hydration tools: Sub-Q fluids, needles and syringes
Antibiotics for infections
Probiotics for out-of-balance little tummies