With kitten season already in full swing, FieldHaven is receiving dozens of inquiries each day regarding orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable kittens needing assistance. Photo courtesy of Tiny Cat Photography

LINCOLN, CA (MPG) - FieldHaven Feline Center is asking the community to help prepare for one of its busiest times of year by participating in a Virtual Kitten Shower to support the hundreds of kittens expected to enter care throughout the spring and summer months.

With kitten season already in full swing, FieldHaven is receiving dozens of inquiries each day regarding orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable kittens needing assistance. The sudden influx has created an urgent need for supplies used by foster caregivers and neonatal kitten teams.

"We had hoped to host an in-person Kitten Shower, but the kittens arrived faster than we could organize one," said FieldHaven Founder Joy Smith. "The need is immediate, so we're inviting supporters to participate virtually by sending supplies directly to help kittens already in care and those still to come."

Supporters can purchase much-needed items from FieldHaven's Amazon and Chewy wish lists, including kitten wet food, formula, heating pads, playpens, kitchen scales, feeding supplies and other essential items. Items may be dropped off at FieldHaven Feline Center (2754 Ironwood Lane, Lincoln), FieldHaven Marketplace (454 F St., Lincoln) or the Marysville Cat Resource Center (106 E 12th St., Suite C, Marysville).

FieldHaven plans to celebrate community generosity with a live virtual unboxing event later this week, showcasing the donated supplies and sharing stories of the kittens who will benefit from them.

Statistics from FieldHaven’s kitten intake from June 1-7:

32 kittens entered their care in just seven days, and average of one kitten every five hours around the clock. This is nearly 170 kittens per month if this pace continues!

31 of the 32 kittens were under eight weeks old, and the average age was 5 1/2 weeks. This is significant because kittens this young cannot simply be placed in a cage and fed. They require foster placement, medical assessment, medical care, daily socialization and more. Every kitten represents weeks or months of ongoing care.

Many people see 32 kittens. Staff see 32 of everything — every single action done 32 times. And, in that first week of June alone, staff experienced multiple critically ill kittens, three heartbreaking deaths, and several life-threatening cases.