Rescuers contend with caring for boxes of cats and nursing kittens as the spring kitten season gets off to a busy start. It kicked off in late March 2023 for rescuers from the Celia Hammond Animal Trust in the UK. So early in the spring, they have already seen an unusual and troubling surge of kittens.
Last year, we noticed numerous rescuers across the US saying that kitten season has extended months beyond expectations. In warmer climates like Florida or California, it can be year-round. Still, now it seems areas where there has traditionally been a slow-down in cooler months, rescuers are seeing more kittens than usual too.
So, maybe instead of calling it “spring kitten season,” it should reflect that it’s happening in summer, fall, and even the winter more?
Images via Facebook/ Celia Hammond Animal Trust
Boxes of Cats and Kittens in Early Spring
On April 7, 2023, someone brought two cardboard boxes of cats and kittens to the Lewisham Centre. Inside, there were two sister cats who each had a litter. Even in such a desperate situation, the mother cats were taking turns nursing the kittens.
Fortunately, two kind people took action when they found the boxed cats in the hallway where they live. It’s possible someone placed them there to protect them from foxes. But abandoning them in boxes could have easily led to a tragic outcome.
“During opening hours, two boxes of cats were delivered to our Lewisham Centre by a man and woman who found the cats inside the hallway of the building they live in. They suspected someone had put the cats inside the hallway during the night to protect them from the foxes in their area,” Celia Hammon Animal Trust shared.
Two Boxes of Cats Contain Sisters
Inside the boxes, the sister cats were doing their best for their babies.
“Upon opening the boxes, we discovered each cat had two nursing kittens. The kittens appeared to be only a few days old. The mum cats are thought to be sisters and go in shifts, taking turns to nurse all four kittens at once, while the other mum cat will have a rest,” they said.
Later, the rescuers named the mama cats Bobbi and Franki. Then, the kittens received the names Tatum and Shea, Cactus and Pima.
All would be looking for foster homes to care for them with their mothers until they were old enough to be spayed, neutered, and find homes.
This post was shared on April 7, 2023, but the rescuers say they’ve seen an influx of kittens for the previous 3 weeks.
“Within the last 3 weeks, we’ve had 10 litters of newborn kittens arrive at our Lewisham Centre. Kitten season is ramping up at a more rapid rate than usual this year. We are expecting many more litters to be coming our way in the coming weeks and months,” they said.
To help support the Celia Hammon Animal Trust, you can see the information on their Facebook post. They are also on Instagram. Caring people have been coming through in a big way, sending truckloads of supplies for the kitties.
Related: Call To Help ‘More Than 5 Cats’ Turns Into 49 Ginger Cats and Kittens in One Home
