Kitten Season has arrived at Northern Oklahoma Humane Society and they are looking to the community for assistance in fighting the first wave of the inevitable storm that they are about to be hit with. During the first few months of the year, many felines begin to go into season and will continue to do so until around October. Unfortunately, this leads to several kittens, who by about 5 months old can begin having their own babies.

Though the dedicated workers at Northern Oklahoma Humane Society have worked tirelessly to reduce not only the stray population as a whole, but also those that are not spayed or neutered, the number of stray cats that are able to reproduce is ever growing. Cats can have anywhere from one to five litters of kittens in a year with an average of four to six kittens per litter. This means that one cat can produce dozens or more offspring in one year alone. The cycle continues once those kittens reach the age of five months old, when they sexually mature.

The Kitten Season stretches anywhere from April to November and is an incredibly difficult time for shelters. They become overrun with kittens, often without their mothers, which creates a new issue. Without a mother to take care of the kittens, the rescues are looked at to become those mothers. Between the constant feedings and cleanings, taking care of bottle fed kittens is a very time consuming job.

It is because of the collection of all of these things that the local Northern Oklahoma Humane Society is looking for some support from the community. From donating time, money or supplies to adopting and fostering, there are many ways to help in this endeavor. Currently, kitten milk replacer, bottles, small blankets, towels, heating pads, and cat carriers are what the humane society is in need of the most. As of April 3, they taken in two litters of kittens in a week.

For more information on ways to help, where to donate, and how to foster or adopt, you can call the Northern Oklahoma Humane Society at 580-767-8877 or visit their website at www. nokhs.com. Check out them out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at nokhumane for updates on their needs and the animals up for adoption in their care.