It’s Kitten Season! What That Means—And How You Can Help (No Matter Where You Live!)

When spring rolls around, many people think of blooming flowers, warmer weather, and longer days. But in the rescue world, it signals something else entirely: kitten season—a time of year that’s as adorable as it is overwhelming.

What Is Kitten Season?

Kitten season refers to the time of year—typically early spring through late fall—when unspayed female cats go into heat and give birth. Because cats can get pregnant as early as 4 months old and have multiple litters in one season, shelters and rescues are soon flooded with hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of kittens needing urgent care.

That might sound cute (and we won’t lie, it is a little bit), but it’s also exhausting. The reality? Many of these kittens are orphaned, underweight, sick, or still needing to be bottle-fed every few hours. Local rescues and foster homes go into overdrive to try and keep up.

And it’s not just kittens. Their moms, older cats, and shelter resources are stretched thin too.

How You Can Help—From Anywhere

Whether you’re local to us at The Chatty Cat Cafe or live across the country, kitten season is happening near you, and you can be a lifesaver. Here are simple ways to support your local shelter or rescue, no matter where you live:

🐾 Foster a Litter (or Even Just One!) No experience? No problem. Most rescues provide training, supplies, and support. Fostering opens up space and saves lives—especially for fragile bottle babies and weaned kittens who just need a safe place to grow.

🐾 Donate Supplies From kitten formula and heating pads to litter and soft blankets, rescues go through supplies at lightning speed. Many have Amazon Wish Lists you can shop from and have items sent straight to their doors.

🐾 Support Spay/Neuter Efforts Fewer unwanted litters = fewer kittens in shelters. Donating to or volunteering with a spay/neuter clinic helps prevent the cycle before it begins.

🐾 Volunteer Your Time Even if you can’t foster, you can help with cleaning, laundry, transportation, or just cuddling kittens to help socialize them!

🐾 Spread the Word Use your social media to share adoptable kittens, foster pleas, and fundraising drives. Visibility helps rescues reach more people—and every share matters.

🐾 Adopt—If You’re Ready Thinking of adding a furry friend to your family? Spring and summer are bursting with sweet, playful kittens (and don’t forget the amazing adult cats who often get overlooked!).

Kitten season is a wild ride, but with your help, it doesn’t have to be a heartbreaking one. Whether you lend a hand, open your home, or share a post—you’re making a difference.

Looking to help our rescue partners this kitten season? Check out our Wishlist, sign up to foster, or stop by The Chatty Cat Cafe for more info. 💛