Some kittens that come to Palmetto Animal League are orphans in need of urgent, around-the-clock care, while others are fortunate to have the protective embrace of their mother. Rose, Dorothy, Sofia, and Miles, born on Betty White’s birthday and named after characters from “The Golden Girls,” are the precious babies of a homeless cat named Calypso, barely 10 months old herself.
“Calypso is very devoted to her kittens,” says foster Bonnie Wheat. “She’s practically a baby herself, but that hasn’t stopped her from being a great mom and teaching the kittens their manners.”
Cats can become pregnant at 4 months of age. Couple that with our warm weather climate, which allows cats to reproduce nearly year-round, and you see how overwhelming the animal homelessness crisis is in the south. While PAL works to educate the community about the importance of spay/neuter, each year we must also prepare for dozens of litters of kittens that will come under our care.
Calypso came to PAL as a stray and gave birth just two weeks later under the watchful eye of her PAL foster. Looking back, Wheat says her decision to foster a mama cat and her kittens was the right thing to do.
“Being a mom myself, I knew Calypso needed a strong support system,” says Wheat. “It’s an honor to give this young mother the love she deserves, and I get this darling opportunity to watch her kittens grow. I’m enamored with watching them experience all their firsts in life.”
The official start of spring is still a couple of weeks out, but kitten season is well underway at PAL. Please help us shower spring kittens with all the cozy comforts and a great start in life. There are two ways you can help. Click here to send supplies directly to PAL via Amazon or bring a gift to our Kitten Shower Saturday, March 5 from Noon-2pm at the PAL Adoption Center, located at 56 Riverwalk Blvd in Okatie. Guests will enjoy refreshments, kitten themed activities for kids, and a chance to explore volunteer opportunities with kittens!
Your special Kitten Shower gift, donated online or in person, will help precious kittens like Calypso’s grow healthy and strong as they prepare for adoption. When homeless kittens find safety at PAL, their story is just getting started and their next chapter in life will be beautiful thanks to caring people like you.
VIDEO: Kittens Have Bathtub Playtime!
Lindsay Perry, PAL Marketing Coordinator
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Thank you to our Partners in Rescue, The Bluffton Sun and The Hilton Head Sun for being beacons of compassion and hope for homeless pets in our community. Please show your support for these local animal loving businesses!
