I have been fostering for my local shelter for over a decade now, and one thing that seems to ring true year in and year out is that fall is a very hard time for kitties. Mother cats who are nursing kittens are often nursing their second litter of the year which makes things even harder on them. Giving birth and nursing kittens is very draining on the body's reserves, and to become pregnant again means there is less nutritional reserves for everyone. Mother cats are thinner, kittens are smaller and both become sicker more easily. It is very sad.
On top of this, many people don't think about donating food to their shelters this time of year. A lot of fundraising awareness is done in the spring in the face of kitten season starting up, and Christmas often brings a second influx of donations to a shelter, but late summer and fall kitties are often feed whatever is left in the pantry - which is generally dry food.
Dry foods are often donated to the shelters because they are big and cheap and make a good show. Walking in with a 20lb bag of food feels better than walking in with 12 cans of food despite the fact that the cost is usually equivalent. And while that 20lb bag of food will feed healthy pets for longer periods of time, pets that have any health issues could use the nutritional boost that only comes from a diet that is higher in animal proteins.
Nursing mothers tend to need it even more. My current foster mom is now eating six 5.5 oz cans of food per day. Her babies are starting to help her so I wonder how many cans I will be going through in the upcoming weeks.
I went into the shelter the other day to stock up on some canned food for my fosters and they had run out. Even their dry food supplies were low and they put out a call for donations from their wishlist. Hopefully the call helped and there will be some food when I go in this weekend, if not I'll have to go and purchase some myself. If you would like to help out, you can purchase from their Amazon wishlist or my own. If you prefer to support your own local shelter, please consider donating some canned food for them this weekend because I have no doubt they could really use some.
Thank you for this post. We donate kibbles, but will make note that wet food is better.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Buster
Very true! I hope people hear the message and look for canned brands they feel comfortable donating. Even the 13 oz. cans of Friskies can be found for around $1.00 at most discount stores, providing a big pile of food for mama and kittens, or a meal each for two adult fosters.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this was such a problem - or that mom cats ate so much! Before my human added the Instinct Raw to the mix, Binga and Boodie were splitting a half of a 5.5 or 6 ounce can between them for dinner, and splitting half a 6-oz. can of food for breakfast (yes, just a quarter of a can each), and other than treats, that was it! They split another 3-oz can between them for lunch because they are getting older, but bottom line, they get one can a day of food! I can't imagine the calorie burn that mom must be going through to feed her kittens to need 6 cans! Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeletecanned food and cat litter....our rescue goes through it like mad!! a great reminder that shelters need help year round
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting everyone know. I think those of us who haven't had a nursing mother cat around don't realize how many calories she needs to eat for herself and the growing kittens. 6 cans is a lot of food a day!
ReplyDeleteit is, and she was licking the bowls clean when given three cans per meal so I tried four, but she couldn't finish them. It was nice to know she had a limit..
DeleteThis is a good point. I just donated the Wellness food that our gang didn't care much for. It seemed like not much of a donation, so thanks for reminding me that every bit helps.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good reminder because I had no idea the need was so great this time of year. After I lost Tara I donated a ton of wet food to my shelter because Truffles didn't like the same things. Now you've inspired me to sort through what Truffles left behind and donate it, because of course Mudpie doesn't like the same things!
ReplyDeleteWhen I donate items, I often go with canned food & paper towels, which are always on the wish list of our local shelter. I didn't realize fall is a very hard time for kitties. I make sure to stop by the shelter soon!
ReplyDeleteWe'll remember this. Though our shelter is kinda particular in the food they will take.
ReplyDeletePawsum posty. Weez twy to donate when we receive sumfin' we won't eat cyz of course weez not have money to buy fur ourselves sumtimes we can't affurd to buy fur ydders. But it is weally purrtant and their awe lots of peeps dat can and just don't know da need. Weez purrayin' fur all da kitties inn shelters everywhere. When mommy volunteered she supplied all da noms which is anudder reason weez not able to foster anymore. Fanks fur takin' good care of mommy and babies.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
Excellent reminder to help local shelters. I made a small paypal donation here.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble finding your address on Amazon. When I am ready to check out, I am only given the choice of my previously used addresses. What am I doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteWhen buying items off the wishlist you don't need a specific address as Amazon has it. When there are items not on the wishlist it asks for an address.
DeleteIf you still need an address to send it to, email me at connie@kittyblog.net and I'll be happy to provide one for you. :)
And thank you so much for trying to donate, it is appreciated.
Thank you for the reminder. I know our shelter was looking for dog food as they put out a call, but I'm certain they would be grateful for cat food as well. Must go shopping!
ReplyDeleteI imagine they will. Cats are far too often overlooked.
DeleteWe have a Facebook Page, Lola and Lexy's Christmas Shelter Project, were we urge people to donate to shelters. We have a list of shelters and if you'd like to be included, please let us know. We are currently working on getting everything re-organized.
ReplyDeleteWe donate to shelters all year round!
Those are some adorable kittens!
ReplyDeletehave a super Sunday...
Noodle and crew
That's a really great and important post! This is so, so true (we know it is at the shelter where we volunteer, for sure)!
ReplyDeleteI would like to send you some food from your wish list but am not sure where to send it. Would you be able to give me your address in a private email? auntmeanie682 @ optonline . net
ReplyDeleteA VERY important PSA for all shelters with fosters!
ReplyDelete