200-Plus Shelter Kittens Need Foster Homes

Local animal advocates launched a "Save a Kitten 2012" program Friday in an effort to place 200 or more shelter kittens in foster homes.

Kittens flood into shelters this time of year, overwhelming limited resources, said group founder Melissa Lisbon.

San Jose Animal Advocates is partnering with Humane Society Silicon Valley to reach out to the community and other rescue groups and encourage fostering of young kittens.

"Kittens that are 6 weeks old or less are most at risk in shelters because they are too young to be adopted into permanent homes," Lisbon said. "Shelters are running out of space or can't afford to house them until they are old enough to be adopted."

Kitten foster parents provide a temporary home until the kitten is approximately 8 weeks old and old enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted out.

Those interested in fostering can visit the San Jose Animal Advocates' website by clicking here, or visit www.facebook.com/SaveaKitten2012.

For those who can't foster or adopt, the Humane Society Silicon Valley is seeking donations of Wellness canned cat food in chicken flavor, Royal Canin baby cat or kitten dry food, small ceramic cat dishes, non-clumping kitty litter and new litter boxes.

Details: San Jose Animal Advocates, Melissa Lisbon 408-637-1282 or Karen Zamel, 650-814-3902.

—Bay City News Service