Kitten season is in full swing at the Saint John SPCA, meaning there are plenty up for adoption, and more arriving every week.
Joan Richardson, the SPCA’s shelter operations manager, says all the kittens will be up for adoption, but they need to be in good health first.
“We just recommend that people call us weekly and (ask) if we have any kittens available, because we want to make sure that they’ve maintained their weight once we’ve separated them from mom, or if they came in as orphans, how’s your development going, have we got all your vaccines in that we need to before you go,” she said.
She says right now, there are around 30 kittens in their care, all in varying stages of development. Last summer, they peaked at 50.
The SPCA is also promoting spay and neuter to prevent unwanted litters and overcrowding at shelters.
Richardson says adoption fees for kittens are $160—$20 more than the fee for adult cats—and that covers the cost of all the basics.
“The kittens get the de-worming treatments every two weeks, they have to get their vaccines every two weeks, so that’s why its $20 more. So yeah, $160, but that gives you the spay and neuter when it’s time, the micro-chipping, all the vaccines are done, a complimentary wellness exam,” she explained.
Richardson says although kittens are more popular, there are lots of other animals at the shelter looking for homes too.
“This time of year with the kittens, the cats tend to get over looked, but there’s some awesome full grown cats, and that way you get to see the personality because with the kittens you never know what you’re going to get, but the adult cats, what you see is what you get,” she said.
Adoption fees for adult cats is $140.
There are also a number of dogs at the shelter looking for the right owners. She says the selection process is a bit more rigorous for adopting dogs, as some come with a special set of needs.
More information about adoption can be found online.
