How the COVID-19 pandemic affected the kitten population

DAYTON — News Center 7 spoke with a local animal shelter who explains how the pandemic shutdown had an impact on the kitten population.

For about six weeks when the pandemic first began, shelters like SICSA were not able to do the capture, neuter and release that they typically used to do when it comes to cats, now a year later, they’re worried they will start to see an increase in the number of kittens coming into their shelters.

Director of Adoption at SICSA, Jessie Sullivan, said, “While it didn’t last for long, it certainly impacted the shelters ability to go out and do TNR and spay cats who might now be breeding this year. So, we’re expecting an increase more than we usually do.”

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Sullivan said that after the initial six-week period of not offering the Trap, Neuter and Release Program, things were still slow due to having to conserve PPE and low staff. While less cats spayed and neutered, that could mean more kittens this season.

“The inundation really starts in June, wo we’ll know in the next few weeks whether we’ll see more this year than last year,” Sullivan said.

If you have a community of cats having kittens this season, SICSA said it’s best to leave the kittens mother do the work and many times, human intervention is not needed. If you see kittens along, SICSA said to watch and wait for the mother to return before getting involved. While SICSA does take kittens in during the kitten season, it’s easy to fill up shelters quickly this time of the year.

Sullivan said most community or stray cats have care takers and for those in Centerville, Kettering and Washington Twp, caretakers can take cats to SICSA where the TNR program is free through the city.

“We do spay neuter, rabies vaccine and the ear tip which is the universal sign the cat has been spayed or neutered,” Sullivan said.

Right now, SICSA is asking for donations for their kitten kits to help get them through this season. You can find out how to donate via their Amazon Wish List on the WHIO news app.

Cox Media Group