As kitten season looms, the Roice-Hurst Humane Society leaned on its community — and they showed up with heart, formula, and plenty of love.

Why This One-Day Drive Mattered So Much

The Roice-Hurst Humane Society’s Kitten Shower Donation Drive isn’t just a feel-good event — it’s a lifeline.

Held on April 19 in Grand Junction, the annual drive helps prepare the shelter’s foster program for the warm months ahead, when abandoned and orphaned kittens start flooding in.

“We really rely on this kitten shower every year,” said Sierra Packard, the foster and volunteer coordinator. “The supplies from this one day will help us almost all the way to the end of October.”

It’s not just formula and blankets. These donations keep tiny, vulnerable lives alive — and out of crowded shelters.

A Snapshot of Kitten Season Prep

Kitten season. It’s cute — but chaotic. Starting as early as March and lasting well into autumn, it brings thousands of newborns needing round-the-clock care.

The Kitten Shower focuses on the essentials:

• Kitten formula and feeding bottles

• Heating pads and soft bedding

• Cleaning supplies, litter, and toys

One sentence from Packard stood out: “Kitten supplies can be very costly.”

That’s where this drive makes a real dent — financially and emotionally.

Fosters Do the Heavy Lifting — But Need Help

Foster homes are the real MVPs here. These volunteers take on the full-time job of raising kittens until they’re ready for adoption.

Many fosters care for litters that are just days old. Others take in sick or underweight kittens that need extra attention.

“This event sets them up for success,” Packard added. “They don’t have to worry about going out and buying supplies. It gives them a little breathing room.”

And yes — some of the fosters were there at the drive, chatting with donors and showing photos of their current kitten squads.

How the Community Responded

Roice-Hurst put out the call — and the people of Grand Junction responded.

By midday, the donation bins were already filling up. Blankets stacked high. Bottles, litter scoops, tiny collars. Even a few bags of specialized milk replacement formula — which, by the way, isn’t cheap.

“We already have a lot of donations from everyone who’s donated online,” Packard said. “It just brings a smile to everyone’s face.”

One volunteer teared up as a child handed over a bag of kitten toys. “This is why we do it,” she whispered.

The Drive Is Over — But the Work Isn’t

April 19 might’ve been the big day, but kitten season doesn’t punch out after 24 hours.

Roice-Hurst says they’re still taking donations — and always looking for more foster volunteers.

A quick glance at their intake logs from last year shows just how much support they need:

So yeah — this shower wasn’t just a cute event. It was essential. Like, life-or-death essential.