SPCA runs out of space for kittens

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

CAT'S WHISKERS: Wellington SPCA executive director Peter Mason with eight-week-old Toby, who has just come back from a foster family and is ready for adoption.

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Kitten-sitters are needed to look after litters during the holidays.

The Wellington SPCA has more than 320 animals in foster care – mostly kittens. But foster homes are almost full.

"The more foster carers we have the more kittens we can save," said SPCA co-ordinator Rochelle Pryde.

Kittens were healthier if they were not exposed to disease or raised in cages.

Foster families take care of the kittens until they are eight weeks old. They then go back to the SPCA to be de-sexed and adopted.

The SPCA has about 100 foster carers. Only four had no animals at their homes yesterday. With about 20 kittens – four or five litters – coming to the SPCA each day, all foster homes are expected to be full by the end of today. Only about three a day are adopted and there is room at the SPCA for only 24 kittens.

Ms Pryde said the holiday period was a great time for families to foster kittens because children could play with the cats but still give them back.

To foster a kitten call the SPCA on 389 8044. The SPCA supplies food, cat litter and veterinarian care, but foster carers need to have a spare room in their house, and transport to collect and drop off the kittens.

- © Fairfax NZ News