Within days of the COVID-19 pandemic landing in the United States, Alley Cat Allies began issuing emergency funding to protect cats and kittens. Today, we have supported more than 50 organizations and food banks so they can continue and even expand their lifesaving work.
By providing critical donations and supportand educating communities on the best approaches to kittenswe are leading the way through kitten season in a time of crisis.
“During this season, more newborn kittens are being found outdoors. We are ensuring animal organizations can continue to provide lifesaving services for these kittens in the event of emergency situations, “ says Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies.
When people find kittens outdoors, it is best to Leave Them BeTM with their mother in their outdoor home. A mother cat is her kittens’ best caregiver.
However, sometimes kittens and their mothers do need a helping hand. If kittens are sick or injured, they need immediate veterinary attention to survive.
Through our emergency grants, organizations across the country have been able to provide that swift care. Together, we are saving kittens’ lives.
Here are just some of these kittens’ stories.
Teddy and MonkeyTwo Kittens Who Needed Help in Nevada
Alley Cat Allies’ COVID-19 emergency grant was there for Teddy at the most critical moment.
Teddy came into the local municipal shelter in Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing not even half a pound at 3 weeks old. Found without his mother while still unweaned, he was weak, sickly, and wasn’t gaining weight. He needed immediate and specialized veterinary care.
Alley Cat Allies’ COVID-19 emergency grant was there for Teddy at the most critical moment. Through our funding, Nevada organization PALNV was able to take Teddy from the shelter and provide him with lifesaving emergency veterinary treatment through its neonatal kitten care program.
Today, Teddy is on the road to recovery in the home of a skilled foster caregiverand growing more every day.
Our grant to PALNV is also protecting 8-week-old tabby Monkey, who was having trouble breathing when she was found outdoors alone. She had an upper respiratory infection, which is difficult for any kitten. Monkey is special, though; she has a genetic deformity in her nose and tail.
Now, Monkey is doing well in a foster home thanks to Alley Cat Alllies’ emergency funding.
With our funding, PALNV had Monkey treated so she can breathe easier.
Now, Monkey is doing well in a foster home. Meanwhile, PALNV staff are planning a specialized spay surgery so she can breathe through her unique nose during the procedure.
“We were able to care for and treat these kittens, and many others, because of Alley Cat Allies, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” says Katherine Schlintz, President and CEO of PALNV. “We’ve also been able to purchase 2,866 pounds of cat food for community cat groups in our area. We’re thankful that we can help cats on every front, even with the world in the state it is because of [COVID-19].”
Stella, Harper, Paulie, and VitoKitten Siblings in California
Today, Stella, Harper, Paulie, and Vito are thriving in a foster home.
This adorable crew was a little scruffier than they look today when they were first found on a Ventura County, California property. They needed some veterinary care and TLC to grow up strong.
Foundling Kitten Society, a brand-new organization dedicated to kitten care, took in these adorable four. In fact, because of COVID-19, the group has taken in dozens of kittens in need of care in just its first month in action. Alley Cat Allies’ emergency grant came at just the right moment to help Foundling Kitten Society provide lifesaving veterinary treatment and supplies for these kittens.
Today, Stella, Harper, Paulie, and Vito are thriving in a foster home. They will be available for adoption soon.
“With our county shelter unable to accept healthy animals due to the current health crisis, we have had an AVALANCHE of kittens entering our program!!!….Alley Cat Allies showed up for us just in the knick [sic] of time!!! This grant money will be used to support the cats and kittens in our foster program, and to provide food and care for our local Ventura County cat colonies,” Foundling Kitten Society wrote in a Facebook post.
Mother Cat Sasha and her KittensA Family in Need in Minnesota
Alley Cat Allies’ grant is providing nutritious food and emergency medical care for Sasha so she can continue to care for her kittens.
Young mother-to-be Sasha needed a helping hand when she was first found and brought into Helping Paws of Southern MNa Minnesota organization receiving Alley Cat Allies emergency funding. She had some health issues that needed treatment, on top of being heavily pregnant.
Sasha has since given birth to five healthy baby kittens, and the entire family is thriving in a foster home. Alley Cat Allies’ grant is paying for nutritious food for Sasha so she can continue to care for her kittens.
Keeping Up the Lifesaving Work
Alley Cat Allies is ensuring organizations can keep their doors open during the coronavirus pandemic and continue to help the many cats and kittens who need them. Spay and neuter services are slowly becoming more available, but there will always be a need for emergency aid for young, vulnerable, unweaned kittens who are ill or injured or don’t have a mother.
To learn more about Alley Cat Allies’ COVID-19 emergency response and find lifesaving information for cats during the pandemic, visit alleycat.org/Coronavirus.