Not as cute as it sounds, MiamiDade is home to roughly 500,000 stray cats yearly so this kitten season is no joke
The year was 2013 and I had just moved to Miami. By 2014 I had found my first stray during kitten season crawling up to my front door. I fell in love. I had to keep her. Little did I know this would open the door for me to participate in a "Kitten Rescue" years later.
Believe it or not, there are roughly 500,000 stray cats on the streets of Miami each year. Unfortunately, many of the free spay and neuter programs that are called Trap Neuter Release (TNR) that helped somewhat alleviate this social issue were terminated last year after Covid hit.
Furever Saved Rescue founder Ana Rhodes said "The explosion of kittens resulting from the cessation of spay/neuter programs at the county level is heartbreaking and overwhelming. Every week rescues are inundated with requests to rescue kittens either neglected or living in dangerous situations as a result of being born to stray or feral moms.”
This is a community problem and we need to come together and help curb the suffering these sentient beings endure year after year. The lives they lead if they survive on the streets are bleak, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As a community we need to come together to help foster cats and kittens, TNR, fundraise, and demand justice for our furry felines.
There are many ways you can get involved. Even if you are allergic to cats there are still ways you can help like donating food to your local rescue. If you are currently involved in feeding outdoor cats please make sure you are having them TNR’d. MDAS has free TNR for street cats. Dial 311 for more info.
There can be a lot of joy in participating in rescue and adopting. Come be a part of the community on August 12, 6:30-8 for our first Kitten Cuddle on Calle 8. Spalash Services on Calle 8 will be hosting a Kitten Cuddle with free coffee, drinks, and snacks!
Adopting an animal that would otherwise be euthanized or living on the streets is a way for you to give back to the community. Not only will they feel loved and secure but they will return it to you 10 fold in their cute kitty ways. Adopting an animal is for life. This is not a chore but rather one of life’s gifts.
Come to Spalash Services on August 12 ready to snuggle, cuddle, mingle and be a part of your community. We are also hosting clothes, medicine, and a dry food drive for the people of Matanza’s Cuba. This is a free event and we are collecting donations for the people of Cuba and the stray cats of Little Havana and Miami Dade. Call 305-927-5898 to organize a donation drop-off other than the time of the event.
Article by:
Jessica Londono kittenseason.tv@gmail.com
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