With kitten season underway, the Erie Humane Society is urging more foster families to step in as shelters see an influx of young cats needing temporary care.
Executive Director Joe Lang says this time of year is consistently one of their busiest, with litters arriving almost daily. The ASPCA estimates roughly 3.2 million cats enter U.S. shelters each year, and the seasonal surge makes foster homes essential in preventing overcrowding.
Fostering, Lang says, doesn’t require volunteers to provide supplies out of pocket.
“When you’re a foster, we set you out the door with everything that you need,” Lang said. “Food, litter, litter boxes, toys — you don’t need to buy anything. We do all of that for you.”
Most foster families take home several kittens at once, giving them space to grow, socialize and adjust to a home environment before they’re ready for adoption.
Lang says the shelter is also available to help if someone comes across a litter outdoors.
“Reach out to us,” he said. “Rather than giving them away or trying to sell them, please contact us. That is what we do.”
Shelter staff also encourage foster families to resist the understandable urge to adopt the kittens they care for. While “foster fails” are common, Lang says each adoption reduces the number of available foster homes — and with so many kittens arriving, the program depends on volunteers staying active.
The Erie Humane Society says foster applications are available through the shelter, and volunteers are needed throughout kitten season.