National Kitten College training aims to reduce kitten euthanasia
By Tia Greene
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BENTONVILLE, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — Kitten season is nearing and shelters and rescues are preparing.
Volunteers and shelter workers received hands-on training Tuesday to care for kittens and build foster networks to help move kittens quickly from shelters to loving homes.
Marine Russ, founder of the National Kitten College, said kittens require specialized care.
“When a kitten comes into the shelter that’s not old enough to be sterilized, they require resources that shelters often don’t have because they’re already so stretched,” Marnie Russ said.
Foster families allow kittens to grow to a point where they can be sterilized and placed up for adoption.
“The problem with these neonates is they have no immune system, they’re too little, and so when you’re in a shelter with all of the germs, that is an automatic issue for them,” Russ said.
Laura Smith has worked with Fayetteville Animal Services for two years.
She said their program is limited, but they’re hoping the training will expand their resources.
“We’re learning more about resources that are available to us, such as foster resources, videos they are able to watch so they can learn more and readily go back to,” Laura Smith said.
Smith said the support is urgent.
“Resources to help train our fosters, resources for medicine and food supplements for them,” Smith said.
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