Second chances for orphaned kittens
Feeding time. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Mamma Mia and babies. Jess Townsend, Midcoast Humane
Sasha's kittens one week old. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
One of many new pups in need of TLC by a loving family. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Mama love. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Giving a wee babe some love. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Pepper nursing 2-week-old kittens. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Feeding time. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Mamma Mia and babies. Jess Townsend, Midcoast Humane
Sasha's kittens one week old. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
One of many new pups in need of TLC by a loving family. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Mama love. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Giving a wee babe some love. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Pepper nursing 2-week-old kittens. Courtesy of Jess Townsend
Each summer, we see an enormous surge in pregnant mother cats and orphaned or abandoned kittens at both of our shelters—many just days old and in desperate need of round-the-clock care. These fragile creatures depend on us for everything: warmth, nourishment, medical treatment, and love. This year, the need is even greater. We’re seeing more kittens earlier in the season than we have in years, and they need our help now more than ever.
Caring for these kittens is both a joy and a significant challenge. They often arrive cold, hungry, and fighting disease. Our clinic team works tirelessly to treat illnesses like respiratory infections and parasites, while foster families provide bottle feedings every two to three hours.
As of today, there are currently 125 cats in foster care who are either pregnant, nursing, or under three months old. We expect to welcome another 200+ in the coming month and will undoubtedly accept many more brought to us unexpectedly.
In addition to the season’s influx of kittens, we’ve also noticed an upward trend in puppies born locally with nowhere else to go. Recently, we took in three puppies, orphaned at only a few days old. Without the team at Midcoast Humane to take in and care for them, they would not survive. Our clinic team has thoroughly evaluated the puppies, and staff members are bottle-feeding them around the clock, giving them the nourishment and support their mother was unable to provide.
We are grateful to our network of foster families that provides immeasurable support for pregnant or orphaned animals. Without their help, we would not be able to care for the sheer volume of animals we see. But these animals require more than just time — the cost of caring for this quantity of animals, at this stage of their lives, is tremendous.
The price of medications, vaccines, wet and dry food, feeding supplies, heating pads, surgeries, and more adds up quickly—especially when dozens of orphaned animals arrive in a single week. You can help ensure these animals are safe and cared for with a donation of any amount today. https://shorturl.at/7GBiw
