Orange County Animal Care Receives $100K “Kitten Grant” from Best Friends Animal Society

Kittens. They’re cute, they’re cuddly, and when they’re under 8 weeks old, kittens are the highest risk population at shelters in Southern California and across the country.

To help save more kittens at Orange County Animal Care, Best Friends Animal Society presented the organization with a $100,000 “Save Them All” kitten grant on Saturday, Sept. 15. In attendance as guest speakers were Chairman Andrew Do, Orange County Board of Supervisors 1st District and Todd Spitzer, Supervisor 3rd District.

“We have had a lot of improvements and good results in the last five years and were able to increase the save rate for adult cats from 40 percent to 70 percent. With this $100,000 grant for kittens and our new shelter Director Mike Kaviani, I believe we will be able to take the good work we do to a whole other level,” said Chairman Andrew Do.

The grant will decrease kitten euthanasia by 15% in its first year by expanding foster programs, especially for “bottle baby” kittens under 4 weeks old, and providing resources for supplies, medical care, spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchips for kittens in the foster program. Through collaboration with the non-profit organization OC Shelter Partners and founder Liz Hueg, community events such as a “kitten shower” were sponsored to teach interested volunteers about the care and feeding of bottle feeders.

OC Shelter Partners is the only organization in the community that has begun the process to increase kitten lives saved in the community. “We want responsible people to foster and adopt pets. So whether you’re here to adopt a dog or cat, you’re giving another life opportunity to these animals who need you in their lives,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer.

“Best Friends has a mission to make the country no-kill by 2025 and programs like this are key to making that happen,” said Jose Ocano, Pacific Region Director for Best Friends Animal Society. “We are very excited to partner with Orange County Animal Care and help increase positive outcomes at their center. It’s a true example of how by working together, we can save them all.”

To learn more about becoming a kitten foster with Orange County Animal Care, visit http://www.ocpetinfo.com/involve/foster.