Houston SPCA Urgently Seeks Foster Families for Over 100 Young Animals as Kitten Season Peaks
As spring blooms into summer, local animal shelters are facing an annual challenge known as "kitten season." This year, the Houston SPCA is issuing an urgent call to action, asking the Greater Houston community to open their homes to over 100 animals—87 of them vulnerable kittens—who are in desperate need of foster care.
The announcement comes at the start of National Foster A Pet Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the lifesaving impact of pet fostering. For the Houston SPCA, the timing couldn't be more critical.
“With more than a hundred young animals depending on us, we are asking our community to help bridge the gap by fostering,” said Dr. Roberta Westbrook, Chief Veterinarian and Vice President of Veterinary Medicine at the Houston SPCA. “Fostering saves lives. It gives vulnerable animals the chance to grow, heal, and thrive in a safe, loving environment."
A Surge Fueled by Kitten Season
Each year, animal shelters across the country brace for the influx of orphaned kittens born during the warmer months. This seasonal surge not only strains shelter resources but also puts young animals at risk of being overlooked or underserved.
Houston SPCA's 87 kittens currently in need have either just graduated from or are still being cared for in the organization’s Neonatal Kitten Nursery. These tiny, fragile lives require around-the-clock feeding and monitoring until they’re old enough to eat softened food and socialize in a home environment.
Fostering during this time doesn't just free up critical space at shelters—it offers individualized care and nurturing that sets these animals up for successful adoption.
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How Houstonians Can Help
The process of becoming a foster parent through the Houston SPCA is streamlined and supportive. All necessary supplies, veterinary care, and training are provided at no cost. Fosters need only offer their time, care, and affection.
Prospective fosters can sign up at houstonspca.org/foster-family and join a community of like-minded animal lovers, including the supportive “Houston SPCA Fosters” Facebook group.
In addition, the organization is urging residents to use caution and observation before intervening when finding a litter of kittens. If the mother cat is likely still caring for them, immediate removal may do more harm than good. However, intervention is warranted if the kittens are clearly abandoned, injured, or malnourished.
A Community Lifeline
Dr. Westbrook emphasized that the community’s role in this moment is pivotal. “It gives vulnerable animals the chance to grow, heal, and thrive in a safe, loving environment,” she reiterated, underscoring the emotional and physical health benefits fostering provides to young animals during their most formative stage.
With over 100 animals counting on immediate help, the Houston SPCA hopes that Houstonians will rise to the occasion, not just in June, but all year long.
For more information or to become a foster, visit Houston SPCA’s foster page.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
