4-01-2025 4:04am

KITTEN SHOWER

To help the Humane Society of Harford County prepare for the extra pitter patter of tiny paws this spring, supporters can attend a kitten shower planned for April 13 at noon at the shelter, which is located at 2208 Connolly Road in Fallston.© Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Harford County

Springtime happens to be known as the "kitten season," a time of year when shelters are bursting at the seams with new litters.

To help the Humane Society of Harford County prepare for the extra pitter patter of tiny paws, supporters can attend a kitten shower planned for April 13 at noon at the shelter, which is located at 2208 Connolly Road in Fallston.

“Kitten season sounds like a cute and magical fairy tale,” said Danielle Holbrook, HSHC’s alternative placement manager. “But when newborn kittens start coming in one after another, it can quickly become overwhelming. The kitten shower is a fun way to raise awareness of the issue, recruit new foster parents and stock our cabinets with all the supplies we need to be ready.”

Last summer, HSHC took in an average of 12.7 kittens per week that were younger than 8 weeks of age, which is the legal age at which kittens can be adopted.

“Many of these kittens had no mothers and needed to be bottle fed every 2-4 hours, around the clock,” Holbrook said. “It’s very labor-intensive, and when there are more kittens than we have foster homes or supplies for? That’s what keeps shelter workers up at night.”

The shower will kick-off at noon with a brief presentation about caring for newborn kittens followed by games, door prizes, refreshments and a chance to meet other foster parents and sign up for the shelter’s foster program.

Admission to the event is a donation from HSHC’s gift registry at harfordshelter.org/kittenshower. Items on the list include kitten food, non-clumping kitty litter, powdered kitten milk replacer and bottles. Gift cards to area pet stores and monetary donations are also appreciated, shelter leaders said.

“Anyone can become a hero this kitten season, no matter their age, ability or resources,” Holbrook said. “A $5 donation buys a few cans of kitten food. An old fleece blanket that’s laying around at home can keep a litter of kittens warm. Your spare bedroom can even become a safe and cozy kitten nursery.”

Supporters who want to help but can't make it to the shower can still donate items off the shelter's kitten registry at Amazon.com, Chewy.com and Walmart.com. Donations can be shipped to the shelter at 2208 Connolly Road, Fallston, MD 21047 or dropped off Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.