As spring temperatures rise, Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control (FWACC) is seeing a sharp increase in stray animal intakes and litters, making it one of the busiest times of the year for the organization.
Stray Intakes on the Rise
Lisa Cain, FWACC’s Deputy Director of Field Operations, confirmed that warmer weather consistently leads to more stray animals coming through their doors.
“We have already seen a significant increase in stray animal intakes this month, which is a common trend with warmer temps,” Cain said.
More people spending time outdoors with their pets contributes to a higher number of lost animals. The shelter urges owners to report missing pets within 24 hours to improve their chances of being reunited.
Kitten Season in Full Swing
Spring also marks the beginning of ‘kitten season,’ when shelters experience an influx of newborn cats needing care. Foster Coordinator Gina Thomas noted that their program is already handling a high volume of feline families.
“We are right on time with kitten season and already have 46 moms with babies in our foster program. Our fosters will be busy with babies through October,” Thomas said.
The demand for foster volunteers and donations is particularly high during this period, as the program operates solely on community support.
How to Help and Stay Prepared
For those looking to assist FWACC, several options are available:
- The shelter relies on donations and grants to support its foster program.
- Volunteers are needed to help care for the influx of kittens.
- Microchipping services are available at the facility for just $15, with no appointment required.
Lost and found pets should be reported to FWACC as soon as possible to improve the chances of reunification. More details can be found on their official website.
As spring continues to bring warm weather, FWACC expects to remain busy, urging the public to stay proactive in keeping their pets safe and secure.
