As Canberrans rejoice that the cold winter is drawing to a close, the team at RSPCA ACT is starting to feel nervous with the season of new life already delivering a pregnant cat at their doorstep.

The arrival of precious kittens kicks off another Canberra kitten season unusually early. The animal welfare facility is almost bursting with the number of animals already in care, so they are pleading with the community to put their hands up to help.

“We’ve always relied on the community to help us through kitten season but this year we want to be even more prepared, wiser and ready to help as many cats and kittens as possible,” says, Michelle Robertson, CEO.

The team are anticipating a busy season, especially if the past two have been anything to go by. However, they are confident that, with the help of the community, the season can be navigated safely and successfully.

“We’re confident that with a strategic approach, more knowledge and admittedly, more neo-natal foster carers, we believe as a team, our animal-loving community can come together to best help and care for the potential over 2,000 cats and kittens we’re expecting to see.”

Canberrans are asked to be aware that cats may be giving birth around the region and that they may encounter a small kitten in a drain, bush or their yard. There are decisions to be made when you see this, RSPCA ACT is calling on us all to make the right ones.

Ms Robertson says the first thing you should do if you encounter a kitten is call RSPCA ACT so they can advise you of the next steps, as it will differ from situation to situation. She implores people not to try to catch a protective mum and her kittens.

“Every scenario is different and believe it or not, if you see a mum raising her kittens in a relatively safe place, for at least a short period of time, that might be the best place for them,” she said.

If you see a cat that you suspect is pregnant, again give the shelter a call first. Ms Robertson says that you can give a pregnant mum some help, particularly by providing blankets and clean water. However, if you intend to help a pregnant cat, Ms Robertson asks that you commit to eventually catching her and her kittens when they are about six weeks old so they can be desexed, vaccinated, socialised and given the best chance of survival.

“We do not want to encourage undesexed and unvaccinated cats to grow up and be free to roam the streets. Ideally, if you see a pregnant cat and you can safely catch her – bring her to us.”

What if you see a hungry looking kitten, surely you are helping by giving it some food? Ms Robertson asks that you don’t feed any stray kittens.

“A fed cat will keep coming back, but they’re missing out on other essential care like vaccinations, socialisation, and worming treatments, so you’re not really helping. Plus, you might accidentally be feeding someone else’s cat.”

While the shelter already has 240 committed feline foster carers, only a few of those are neo-natal carers, Ms Robertson says they desperately need more. The neo-natal litters need more attention and care than your average foster situation as they usually have no mother and need to be raised by hand.

“Neo-natal kittens are the cutest, but they take the most effort to raise because you have to bottle feed them around the clock and teach them how to groom and go to the toilet,” said Ms Robertson.

With great responsibility comes the great reward of helping a life when it is at its most vulnerable.

“Our current neo-natal carers get immense joy from seeing kittens, who at first have almost zero chance of growing up, turn into loving, affectionate pets who bring their owners love and joy. It’s a wonderful feeling,” smiles Ms Robertson.

For anyone who might be interested RSPCA ACT is hosting a Neo-natal Foster Care Information Session on Tuesday 24 September at 5:30.

“Truly, for kitten season, if we could secure four or five more neonatal foster carers, we would rejoice. We only have four at the moment, and they rarely get a break. If we could get 10, it would change everything for us,” she says. Find out more about what you can do to support RSPCA ACT; rspca-act.org.au