Chicago Animal Rescuer Gets Brutally Honest About 'Kitten Season' at the Shelter

There's no denying how adorable kittens are, but taking care of them is also a ton of work. Until you've raised--or at least babysat--kittens, it's impossible to understand just how much physical, mental, and emotional energy animal shelter staff and volunteers are putting into each day's work. It's safe to say that they're exhausted!

Even so, these animal advocates won't even bat an eye when a mama cat or her babies are in need of a helping hand. However, they also know that many of the surrendered kittens they meet don't truly need saving.

While simultaneously entertaining and educating their TikTok viewers, a few representatives from the NAW Humane Society of Mokena let off some steam in a funny but accurate video. The April 8 post is just satire, of course, but it represents what so many cat rescuers feel each kitten season.

LOL! Plenty of pet owners can relate to that panicked feeling when they find out an animal is expecting. It's a mixture of shock, dread, and a neverending tangle of other thoughts. But it's also mixed with plenty of love and concern for the mom-to-be.

Related: Shelter's Ominous 'Kitten Season' Ad Has a Very Important Message

As laughable as this exaggerated reaction is, it also shows just how dedicated these animal shelter workers are. They have every right to freak out when more kittens are on the way! Not only do newborn kittens require plenty of clean bedding and a safe, enclosed area to spend their first days, but they'll also need to be on a strict feeding schedule. Fortunately, mama cat will be able to help with that.

The good news is that this animal shelter finds plenty of jobs for their furry residents--even the kittens. After all, they have to help provide for themselves somehow!

This is the cutest thing! It's a throwback video, of course, but it's a great example of the creative ways shelter volunteers give the cats enrichment. But this can be a lot trickier to do when you're dealing with dozens of kittens in the springtime.

Does a Kitten Need Rescue If They're Alone?

Although many people adore the universal cat distribution system, which seems to make rescue cats appear to the people who need them, the truth is that not every kitten who is alone is in need of rescue. Even if they're young and without Mom nearby, they may be just fine!

As the feline experts at Alley Cat Allies recommend, wait and watch a kitten (or litter of kittens) before removing them from the area. In many cases, Mom is off hunting for food and will be right back. She is always the best caretaker for newborn kittens! If you truly want to help, you can research local trap-neuter-release programs in your area that can spay mother cats and older kittens. This will ensure stray cat problems don't get even bigger, and it will reduce the burden on shelter workers like the ones at this Illinois shelter.

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