Kitten Season: The Reality Behind the Cuteness
“Kitten Season” sounds like the fifth season we never knew we needed. Who wouldn’t want an entire season dedicated to adorable, tiny kittens?
But the reality is far more serious.
Kitten Season is the toughest time of year for animal shelters and rescues like Cat Depot. This is when organizations step up in a big way, providing immediate, lifesaving care to a steady influx of kittens in crisis.
About Kitten Season
When Does It Happen? In Florida, Kitten Season typically runs from March through November.
Why Does It Happen? As temperatures rise, unspayed and unneutered cats begin breeding. Cats are incredibly prolific and can have multiple litters each year, leading to a surge of kittens in a short period of time.
The Impact on Shelters? Most of these litters are unplanned. As a result, shelters and rescues become the safety net for vulnerable kittens in need of medical care, foster placement, and ultimately, adoption.
Kitten Growth Timeline
Understanding early kitten development helps explain why this time of year is so critical.
- Birth to 2 Weeks: Kittens are born completely blind and deaf. Their eyes and ear canals remain closed for the first 7–14 days. During this stage, they are entirely helpless and fully dependent on their mother.
- 3 Weeks Old: Kittens typically begin walking and exploring their surroundings.
- Up to 4 Weeks Old: Kittens rely entirely on their mother’s milk for survival.
- 4–8 Weeks Old: The weaning process begins around four weeks. By 8 to 10 weeks old, kittens should be fully transitioned to solid food.
- Adoption Ready: Kittens can be adopted at 8 weeks old, provided they weigh at least two pounds, are fully weaned, eating solid food, and thriving.
Why Foster Homes Are Critical
Community cats often give birth outdoors. Mother cats frequently move their kittens to protect them from predators. During these moves, kittens can become separated. In some cases, something happens to the mother while she is searching for food, leaving the kittens orphaned and unable to survive on their own.
Because young kittens are extremely fragile, they do not thrive in a shelter environment. They are vulnerable to illness, stress, and developmental setbacks.
That’s why foster homes are essential. Foster families provide the safe, nurturing environment kittens need to grow strong and healthy until they are ready for adoption.
Get Involved in Saving Kittens
Attend Kitten Shower Open House
A Purr-fectly Fun Open House to Kick Off Kitten Season!
Join us on March 8 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a kitten-themed open house filled with fun, education, and all things tiny and adorable. Whether you’re a seasoned foster, a curious cat lover, or someone who simply wants to help, this event is for you.
Drop in anytime during the event — it’s open house style!
Give to Cat Depot this Kitten Season
There are two ways to support Cat Depot financially during Kitten Season. Help ensure Cat Depot can always say “yes” to a kitten in need by helping us purchase essential supplies.
Shop our Wish List
- Kitten formula
- Kitten dry and canned food
- Non clumping litter
- Cat toys
- Nursing bottles & nipples
Donate For Kittens
Our goal is to raise $15,000 to fund the critical supplies needed for the hundreds of kittens we will save this year. We will apply your gift where it is needed most to support kittens in our care.
Spay and Neuter Your Pet Cat
The most effective way to reduce the influx of kittens is to spay or neuter your cats, especially indoor/outdoor cats, ideally by four months of age.
Cat Depot’s Cat Care Clinic offers affordable spay/neuter services:
- Female cat spay: starting at $117*
- Male cat neuter: starting at $101*
Call ahead for an appointment: 941-366-CATS (2287)
*Prices may vary based on age and overall medical condition. Sliding scale options are available.
Take Action to Spay/Neuter Owned, Community Cats
Community Cats are unowned cats that live outdoors in the community. They may be feral or friendly, may have been born into the wild, or may be lost or abandoned pets. If you see community cats without at ear-tip (international symbol that a cat has been sterilized and vaccinated), Cat Depot can help!
TNVR services are currently offered at no cost to caretakers feeding and caring for community cats in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties (subject to available funding).
Appointments are required. Book your appointment today.
