Kitten season may sound sweet, but for shelters and rescues, it often means an overwhelming influx of vulnerable lives needing urgent care. Across Australia, the number of orphaned, unweaned kittens arriving at shelters is rising, and local rescue groups and foster networks are being stretched beyond capacity. As a community-minded pet store, Woonona Petfoods is passionate about supporting these efforts and helping our customers play a role too.
Whether you're considering fostering, donating supplies, or just learning how to care for fragile kittens, we’re here to guide you through what’s involved, and how small actions can make a big difference.
Why Are So Many Kittens Ending Up in Shelters?
The rise in kitten intakes is not an isolated issue. Many shelters, including the Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV), have reported a sharp increase in unplanned litters and abandoned kittens in early 2025. Often, these kittens are found alone, injured, or malnourished, without their mothers and too young to survive on their own.
A major cause of the issue is the low rate of early desexing. Cats can start breeding as young as four months, and one unspayed female cat can be responsible for hundreds of kittens over her lifetime. Without desexing, the cycle continues, and shelters bear the brunt.
The Power of Foster Care
For kittens too young or unwell to be adopted, foster carers are literal lifesavers. Providing a warm, safe space, round-the-clock bottle feeding, and gentle handling can be the difference between life and death. Foster homes also help socialise kittens, preparing them emotionally for adoption.
If you’re in a position to foster, even temporarily, here’s what you’ll need to provide:
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A warm, secure space like a laundry, bathroom or playpen
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Regular feeds (which may mean bottle-feeding every few hours for very young kittens)
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Litter training support and basic hygiene
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Socialisation through gentle touch, play, and exposure to household sounds
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Monitoring their weight, appetite, and health
Support Without Fostering: Supplies and Donations Matter
If fostering isn’t an option for you, donating food, litter, or other essentials can still make a big impact. Many shelters run on limited budgets and rely heavily on community support, especially during peak kitten season.
Desexing Saves Lives
One of the most important long-term solutions to kitten overpopulation is early desexing. As shelters like CPSV have noted, even a modest donation can help prevent hundreds of unwanted births. Every female kitten desexed at the right time prevents the possibility of an entire lineage of unwanted litters. At Woonona Petfoods, we strongly support responsible pet ownership, and we offer educational resources on desexing timelines, recovery, and post-surgery care.
Building a Compassionate Pet Community
The heart of kitten season isn’t just in shelters, it’s in homes like yours. By being informed, compassionate, and proactive, our community can help reduce the strain on shelters and give vulnerable animals the second chance they deserve.
Here’s how you can get involved:
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Adopt, don’t shop – Consider rescuing your next feline friend.
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Foster – Even short-term fostering helps save lives.
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Donate – Food, litter, toys, and monetary donations all help keep shelters running.
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Desex your pets – Prevent future unwanted litters.
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Spread awareness – Talk to family and friends about the importance of responsible pet care.
Every kitten deserves a chance to thrive. Whether it’s through fostering, adopting, donating, or simply spreading the word, we all have a part to play in protecting these tiny, vulnerable lives. If you’d like help choosing the right products, our friendly team at Woonona Petfoods is always available to chat in-store or online. Together, let’s give every kitten a chance at a healthy, happy future.
