A two-year-old mom cat, Smudge, was only 9 pounds when she arrived at the shelter in mid-winter. Small in size, she arrived with five two-day-old neonates. Smudge needed medical care and food to help her nursing condition. The veterinary staff provided extraordinary care and quickly found a great foster.

Overnight, Smudge had a sixth kitten at the foster home. This amazing foster was able to assist Smudge when needed with the new kitten. Smudge was a great mom cat and took care of the little ones. 

Fosters are critical with helping mom cat and kittens to grow healthy. Smudge needed extra food and vitamins to nurse her little ones. The foster weighs the kittens daily and maintains weight charts. Other information or concerns are reported by the foster to the veterinary staff. With a nursing mom cat, the foster lets Smudge take care of her litter. Smudge, however, needed a break from the kittens, and would sit with the fosters for pets and attention. She became very friendly. 

Every two weeks, the kittens would return to the shelter for a healthy exam visit and get their first vaccinations and other preventative medicine treatments. Once the kittens were weaned at about 4-5 weeks old, Smudge would be scheduled for her spay surgery and return to the shelter for her adoption. The kittens would stay with the foster family to be socialized, grow healthier, play and become super friendly as they waited for their surgery when they were 8-10 weeks old. 

Smudge was adopted shortly after healing from her surgery. The kittens will be coming up for adoption at the shelter and cat cafe. The kittens were Basil, Fern, Indigo, Violet, Daisy and Aloe. Your gift will help to save more lives and help our vulnerable animals in the community. Give them a healthy start to the future! 

It costs $885 to care & treat an animal before it gets adopted!

Because of your generosity and kindness, AVHS & NWSNC can feed, shelter, provide basic medical and dental care, and provide low-cost spay/neuter, dentistry, and wellness services to animals in need in our community!

• $15 provides enrichment toys or treats for shelter animals

• $100 provides nutritious formula, food, warming discs, bottles, and a scale to infant kittens and puppies growing up in foster care

• $250 supports the life of a senior dog and helps with their medications and special foods

• $500 supports animal lifesaving care for five dogs from underserved and overpopulated animal shelters

• $1000 provides for the cost of spay/neuter for five cats or dogs, reducing overpopulation and eliminating the risk of certain cancers