08/28/2025
Almost every day I hear someone say “I reached out to my local shelter/rescue for help with a kitten, and no one responded because no one there actually cares.” Friends, this attitude has to change. Let’s talk about it!
I understand how frustrating it is to discover the difficulties of finding resources for kittens. Trust me, I get it—110%. That said, we need to speak more kindly about our local rescuers and groups, and to become both empathetic and empowered to be part of the solution.
The truth is that for many shelters and rescues, the simple administrative burden of even responding to endless requests during kitten season can be overwhelming and impossible as they try to do the most they can with the resources they have. But this does not mean they do not care. On the contrary, those already in the trenches often care too much and take on too much...that’s why they may not have time to respond to every inquiry!
Animal welfare workers experience a high incidence of anxiety and depression, particularly during kitten season, because there is an unfair expectation that they have to do it all. It really is true: the more you do, the more you’re asked to do. And the more you’re asked to do, the more you feel like no matter how much you do, you’ll always be falling short. We shouldn’t reinforce those ideas—we should dismantle them.
Shelters and rescues are doing the most they can with the resources they have, and if they aren’t doing more, it’s because they need more people power! That means the frustration you feel with your local resources can be an incredible catalyst for personal empowerment and action. While it’s easier to point a finger, it’s much more effective to lend a hand. And when we all lend a hand, we find that we can have such a greater impact when we all work together. ♥️
