INDIANAPOLIS — In preparation for an expected increase in cats and kittens coming into their shelter, Indianapolis Animal Care Services hosted a "kitten shower" to find foster homes for the felines.
The April 2 shower was open to the public and had information about the shelter's foster program, including advice from current foster families, who shared their experiences caring for cats and kittens waiting for a forever home.
With warmer weather on the way, IACS said it expects to see a "significant rise in the number of pregnant cats, mother cats with kittens and litters of kittens" being dropped off at the shelter. The shelter said foster homes not only help keep the growing kittens healthy, but often help them become social and ready for their new homes once they are adopted.
And just like a baby shower, there were games, a photo booth and prizes. Those who attended the event were given a ticket to win one of several door prizes. More tickets could be earned by bringing donations. The most-needed items include miracle nipples, pet nurser bottles, wet and dry kitten food and pine/paper litter, the shelter said.
If you're thinking about fostering this spring, IACS wants you to know that all you have to do is sign up.
"If you are a foster for the shelter, we provide everything that a foster needs. So we get these supplies so we can then give them to our foster families so the only thing that they're doing is opening up their home and not having to spend any extra money to take care of these animals," said Roxie Randall, the manager of community outreach for IACS.
Donations of supplies can be dropped off at the shelter. There is also an Amazon wish list for the foster program for those who couldn't attend the shower or who were looking for other ideas on how to help donate supplies.
Last month, the shelter put out a call for help to the community to adopt pets due to overcrowding. Forty-three pets found new homes in the "Season of Love" event.