25 Cats Admitted to Ottawa Humane Society as Kitten Season Ramps Up

May 10, 2024 — Yesterday, 25 cats, 18 of which were kittens, were admitted to the Ottawa Humane Society. The majority of the cats were found outdoors as strays and brought to the OHS by members of the public.

“Spring and summer are some of the busiest seasons at the OHS,” said Dr. Shelley Hutchings, OHS Chief Veterinarian. “The warmer weather signals to cats that it’s time to breed and this leads to an influx of kittens and mother cats in our care.”

Among the new arrivals, the OHS received a mother cat, Blair, and her six newborn kittens, and five other kittens between the ages of three and six months who are suffering from upper respiratory infections, commonly known as cat colds. The kittens all need spay/neuter surgeries and are placing additional strain on the OHS’s resources.

“We admit thousands of cats each year, and we don’t turn away any animal in distress — no matter how many,” said Sharon Miko, OHS President & CEO. “Our goal is to provide these kittens the care they need and to find a new home for them as soon as possible.”

The OHS encourages those who are looking for a new cat to consider adopting a homeless cat from the OHS. A donation to the OHS also supports the daily care and sterilization surgery that each kitten needs.

The OHS strongly encourages cat owners to keep their cats indoors unless on a leash and harness or in the safety of an enclosed catio, and to spay/neuter their pets. Both steps help reduce cat overpopulation and protect cats from the many dangers of the outdoors.

Photos of Blair and her kittens, and the five cats suffering from upper respiratory infections are available for media use.

Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca