P.E.I. Humane Society makes appeal for donations to keep kittens warm

The P.E.I. Humane Society is urgently seekingfleece blankets, warming pads, and space heaters to help keep rescue kittens warm following the arrival of cold weather.

"It got really, really cold and unfortunately at the shelterthere is inadequate heating in some of the areas of the building," said JenniferHarkness, the developmentcoordinatorat the P.E.I. Humane Society.

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Harkness saidit's important to keep newborn kittens warm because theyare especially vulnerable during the winter months andcan easily get sick.

"They're using up so many calories to keep warm that they're not consuming enough calories to sustain themselves," she said."That's when we get ourselves in a really dangerous situation."

Issue compounded by illness

The problem is compounded, said Harness, because the kittens in the society's care got sick with something called Fading Kitten Syndrome.

Many of the kittens at the shelter became lethargic and stopped eating.

Fortunately, most of the kittens are on the path to recovery.

"We're really hoping that they're going to make it through and that they're going to be able to go to their new homes soon," said Harkness.

Extended breeding season

Harkness said the problemhas been made worse by more kittens than normal this year.

The shelter has taken in almost 100 kittens since October, and Harness expects more to arrive before the new year.

She said the fall's unusually high temperatures meant a longer breeding season.

Donations needed 'all year long'

Harkness said an appeal for supplies posted to the society's Facebook page is helping, with lots of donations arriving this past weekend.

But, she said the shelter still needs supplies.

"They're thingswe need all year long," she said.

Anyone interested in making a donation can bring it to the P.E.I. Humane Society during regular business hours, she said.

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