Almost Home Cat Rescue Presents:

Our Annual Kitten Shower! 🐾

Learn more
Learn more

Kitten Season Is Here!

〰️

Kitten Season Is Here! 〰️

Pre-Shower Details:

  • In the rescue world, “Kitten Season” is the time of year when hundreds of vulnerable, orphaned kittens are born and need our help. Our Kitten Shower is a mission-critical event that helps us stock up on life-saving supplies, so we’re ready to say “yes” to every kitten that comes our way requiring care.

  • You’ll help us prepare to welcome the tiniest new members of the Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE family.* You’ll be able to:

    • Play fun kitten-shower-themed games

    • Cuddle with adoptable cats

    • Submit naming suggestions for our new cats and kittens

    • Shop our rescue boutique (the “Mewtique” 🛍️)

    • Enjoy light refreshments

    Entry is free, but a small donation of $10+ is suggested to support our little bundles of joy. You can donate on-site at the rescue or online here.

  • Think of it like a baby shower! We have an active list of our most-needed items. Whether you’re able to bring something directly to the event or ship an item directly from our wishlist, every gift supports a tiny life. Shop our Amazon registry HERE.

    Items can be brought to the rescue or shipped directly to us via Amazon. We appreciate your support!

  • You can still help! Drop off supplies during regular Open House hours (Tuesday and Thursday, 6 P.M. to 8 P.M., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.) or send a monetary donation to support our kittens-in-need.

  • Our wishlist supplies are one piece of the puzzle, but fosters are the other! We’re on the lookout for “Bottle Baby Heroes” and foster parents who can provide a safe space for these little ones to grow. And if you’re not ready to foster, we always need volunteers to help with adoption events and kitten socialization.

Save the Date
Save the Date
See the Wishlist
See the Wishlist

Kitten Shower Wish List (Ship to/drop off at the rescue)

Shop Full Wish List

The Impact of Kitten Season

Every spring, hundreds of tiny, hungry, and oh-so-cute kittens are born. For shelters like ours, this means a massive influx of newborns in need of urgent, round-the-clock care. These babies deserve every chance to grow up in loving homes, and we need your help to get ready!

Despite our community’s best efforts to spay and neuter, "Kitten Season" remains our busiest time of year. Our Kitten Shower is how we stock our shelves and prepare the rescue for every tiny resident that comes through our doors.

The Cost of A Kitten

There is really no such thing as a “free” kitten.

Every kitten we take in at Almost Home Cat Rescue MKE comes with hard costs like food, medical, and additional supplies, along with countless hours of support from our volunteers.

Some kittens come to us and only require minimal vetting, while others need much more — things like antibiotics, eye treatments, or even amputations. Below is a breakdown of average costs for a kitten that hasn’t had any vetting before arrival:

  • Exam: $20

  • Spay or Neuter: $100

  • FVRCP Vaccines: $15

  • Rabies Vaccine: $16

  • Dewormer: $10

  • Fecal Sample/Test: $5

  • FeLV/FIV Test: $20

  • Parasite protection (Revolution): $5

  • Our vetting cost: ~$200 per kitten

The above cost is only representative of medical needs. It doesn’t include the cost of food, litter, or bottle-feeding supplies. These can add +$100 to the vetting cost, depending on the specific kitten in need.

What Should I Do if I find Stray Kittens?

 

First and foremost — Do NOT move them from the discovered spot right away. In most cases, their mother is nearby and simply out hunting. Follow these steps to ensure their best chance at survival:

  1. Watch and Wait: Observe from a distance (at least 10-15 feet) for 2-4 hours. Keep other people and animals away from the area. If the mother returns within the 2-4 hour window, leave them alone. She is their best source of care!

  2. Determine Their Ages: Do not touch or move them yet.

    1. If eyes are closed and ears are folded, they’re likely 0-2 weeks old and are completely dependent on mom or around-the-clock bottle feeding. If eyes are open and they’re a bit wobbly on their feet, they’re likely 2-4 weeks old and still require mom’s milk or specialized care. If they’re walking, playing, and starting to look like “mini cats,” they’re likely 5 weeks or older.

  3. When to Take Action: You should only step in if: the mother has not returned and it’s been 4-6 hours or longer, kittens are crying or injured, or the area becomes unsafe and dangerous (weather, traffic, predators).

  4. Contact Local Support: If you are certain they are abandoned, contact a local rescue or shelter immediately for guidance:

    1. Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission: 414-649-8640

Important Reminders and Safety:

  • ⚠️ Note: Not every cat without a collar is a stray. Before taking a cat in, ensure they are truly abandoned. Always check online "Lost & Found" postings and local community groups first.

  • Stay Safe: Use a towel and gloves when handling stray kittens to protect yourself and them.

  • Stay Warm: If you must move them, get them warm immediately. Kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature.

  • Safety First: Do NOT feed them cow’s milk. Dairy is extremely dangerous for kittens and can cause life-threatening dehydration.