DSPCA expect to rescue and rehome over 1000 cats and kittens during this summer’s ‘Kitten Season’

The DSPCA have started a new appeal and are encouraging anyone in the public who are considering fostering or adopting a cat to visit the DSPCA.

The well known charity expect to rescue and rehome over 1000 cats and kittens this year from their shelter in Rathfarnham.

This time of the year during the summer is known as ‘Kitten Season at the DSPCA’ because the warm weather acts as a catalyst for bringing un-spayed female cats into heat, usually every 3 weeks.

One stray female cat can have at least 2-3 litters during these months, many of whom will enter the feral or stray cat population struggling to survive in harsh conditions.

The DSPCA experts have highlighted the fact that neutering just one actively breeding male and one female cat can prevent more than 2,000 unwanted kitten births in just 4 years which can reach to over 66,000 in 6 years and more than 2 million in 8 years based on one un-neutered female, her mate and their offspring producing 2 litters in the wild per year, with an average survival rate of 3 kittens per litter.

The DSPCA’s Corporate Relations Manager Suzanne McGovern (pictured above) said “During kitten season there is a greater demand for foster and adoptive families at the DSPCA.

“Although it can be a big commitment for the first few weeks of the kitten’s life volunteering to bottle-feed or foster kittens is a hugely rewarding experience and can provide critical socialisation at the start of a kittens life.

“When you adopt a cat from the DSPCA, they will be neutered and vaccinated.

“Our cattery facility is open from 12 – 4PM every Tuesday to Sunday and we’d love those who are interested in fostering or adopting to visit or get in touch to cattery@dspca.ie

Lottoland’s VP of Corporate Affairs Laura Pearson said “At Lottoland we’re delighted to support all the ongoing amazing work that the DSPCA and its volunteers selflessly carry out and particularly in busy periods like this in their fantastic cattery.

“The DSCPA team always do an amazing job not just minding these poor animals but also with their endeavours in educating the public and explaining the various problems and challenges they face every week with all their animal species.

“We hope that funds raised from the proceeds in our Win-Win Charity products can make some difference to the charity’s various great works.”