Burlington Review

Kitten season is in full bloom, and the Burlington County Animal Shelter is holding a special event to showcase its youngest felines and other pets available for adoption. The Burlington County Kitten and Pet Shower will be held this Sunday, June 23, at the shelter located at 35 Academy Drive, Westampton. From noon to 3:30 PM, visitors will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the shelter’s kittens, dogs, and cats. The event will also feature games, giveaways, and information on pet adoptions, fostering, and volunteer opportunities.

The event is organized by the shelter in partnership with the Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter volunteer group to boost adoptions during one of the busiest times of the year. Fees for adult adoptions initiated during the event will be waived.

“Kitten season is one of the busiest times of the year at the shelter and there are many different ways residents can help out,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “There are plenty of adorable kittens looking for homes, plus lots of adult animals that would make great companions. For those who don’t feel ready to adopt, we’d love to recruit more foster families to take in kittens and other pets temporarily. You’d be doing a huge service for an animal and our shelter.”

Visitors can support the shelter by bringing donations such as Stage 1 and 2 formula for kittens and puppies, baby animal training pads, puppy and kitten food, baby wipes (unscented and hypoallergenic), heating pads, portable playpens, and bottles. A complete list of requested registry items can be found online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/168/Animal-Shelter or on the Burlington County Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.

Kitten season typically starts in mid-to-late March when the weather begins to warm and continues through November or December. During these months, unaltered female cats go into heat and later give birth to litters of kittens.

Cats as young as four months can become pregnant with litters averaging four to eight kittens each. This underscores the importance of spaying or neutering cats at a young age.

All dogs and cats adopted from the animal shelter are spayed or neutered and brought up-to-date with vaccinations.

Residents unable to attend Sunday’s pet shower event are welcome to visit the shelter on another date. The shelter is open for walk-in visits from noon to 4 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays; from noon to 7 PM on Thursdays; and by appointment only on Wednesdays.

All available pets can be viewed online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/Available-for-Adoption

More than 507 cats and 224 dogs have been adopted from the animal shelter so far this year, including 13 during its April open house event. Another 114 cats and 43 dogs have been supported by rescue groups.

“The Burlington County Animal Shelter is one of our most important county services," said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Dan O’Connell. "Our Board is incredibly thankful for the love and attention that shelter staff and volunteers give all animals brought there. This weekend’s open house is an opportunity for our residents to show their support and hopefully find a new loving companion. I’d also like to thank Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter for all they do to assist these animals.”