The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League opened its Neonatal Kitten Nursery last summer in a revolutionary approach to saving the lives of more newborn kittens that require 24-hour care to survive.
Peggy Adams recently announced that it has expanded the Neonatal Kitten Nursery to accommodate even more kittens in Palm Beach County needing this type of care.
The concept for the nursery came during last year’s busy kitten season.
When kittens are brought into the shelter, often only hours old, the league previously had to rely on the help from foster families to care for the kittens that required around-the-clock care and feeding. It’s kitten season again in South Florida, so there’s a very good chance of discovering newborn kittens outside.
“First, when you see newborn kittens, resist the urge to take them to a shelter. That is actually the last thing you should do,” said Rich Anderson, executive director/CEO of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. “Kittens less than four weeks old have little chance of survival if separated from their mothers and taken to a shelter. In fact, cats and kittens are the most at-risk animals for euthanasia in Palm Beach County. Most discoveries of newborn kittens don’t call for human assistance. No intervention is generally best until kittens can eat on their own.”
Many neonate kittens still end up at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. After receiving critical care in the Kitten Nursery, they are placed with foster families who are currently assisting the league to get these kittens ready for adoption.
Even with more than 200 volunteer families, more temporary foster homes are needed to help save the lives of kittens that arrive at Peggy Adams each day.
“Fostering is rewarding — and incredibly important. Adopting a shelter animal is wonderful, but when you become a foster volunteer you are helping to save multiple lives,” Anderson said.
With the expansion of the Kitten Nursery, the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League now has additional space for the most at-risk orphans. The nursery, which can now hold up to 80 kittens at any given time, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by employees of Peggy Adams, as well as dedicated volunteers — all specially trained in bottle-feeding and the unique care that is involved in nurturing neonates.
“We are so fortunate to have the support of this community; our donors and our volunteers, who help make all that we do possible. This expansion of the Kitten Nursery will cost in excess of $200,000, but it’s something we felt we had to do to save more lives,” Anderson said. “We are hopeful that the community will help support this lifesaving effort.”
The nursery at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League will save the lives of hundreds of kittens and will help achieve the goals of Palm Beach County’s Countdown 2 Zero initiative, which seeks to save the lives of all adoptable pets in Palm Beach County.
For more information about the Kitten Nursery or fostering, visit www.peggyadams.org or call (561) 686-3663.
The mission of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of the Palm Beaches is to provide shelter to lost, homeless and unwanted animals; to provide spay and neuter and other medical services for companion animals; to care for, protect and find quality homes for homeless and neglected companion animals; and to advocate animal welfare, community involvement and education to further the bond between people and animals.
ABOVE: The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League’s Neonatal Kitten Nursery treats tiny feline patients.
