Influx of summer kittens a reminder to spay, neuter pets

In anticipation of an influx of hundreds of kittens through summer, the San Diego County Humane Society and SPCA on Wednesday urged residents to get their pets spayed or neutered to help reduce the number of unwanted cats and to consider adoption.

The spring and summer is the time of year when cats go into heat and give birth, according to Humane Society officials, who said many of the resulting offspring end up homeless and in need of help at local shelters.

The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA operates “Paws to Success,” a program designed to reduce the number of cats that are euthanized.

Last year, the program was able to save more than 1,000 kittens in San Diego County.

To help counter the problem, the Humane Society recommends residents keep their cats indoors, spay or neuter their pets and contact their local animal shelter if they find abandoned kittens.

Adoption or foster care are other ways to help save unwanted kittens and cats, according to the Humane Society, which urged people not to overlooked adult felines, which can make great pets.

The San Diego Humane Society has three adoption locations - Gaines Campus in San Diego, North Campus in Oceanside and PetSmart in Oceanside.