Kitten Season 2011 is nearly upon us. Already reports of intact males fighting and the unmistakable odor of their urine-markings are drifting in. Soon we will be getting those dreaded calls of pregnant females or litters of kittens.

While we adore kittens, we do not wish litter after unwanted litter upon the poor females, or the abscesses the males incur from the fights over territories and mates. We are actively TNRing (Trap-Neuter-Return) throughout the County at this time to try and delay the season’s start.

If you have an intact cat in your home and have been postponing making their spay/neuter appointment, DELAY NO LONGER! At the first burst of warm spring weather, not only do the trees begin to bud, but the felines’ hormones kick into high gear and the mating dance begins.

Let me tell you, when a cat goes into heat and a tom gets wind of her, they will do their utmost to get outside to breed. Cats are surprisingly quick and devious in their escape attempts and can squeeze through a tiny opening in a door or screen. Scaling fences is a piece of cake for most of them as well. (Just ask me about my Nemo, aka Houdini, sometime, and he was neutered long ago!)

Not only are felines award-winning escape artists, but they also become obnoxious and are not good indoor pets during their “time.” The females will yowl and lurk near doors waiting for their chance. The males will spray foul-smelling urine all around and beg loudly for release. Females may also spray.

At this time we are asking for your help in locating feral cat colonies in your neighborhood so that we can bring them into the program through TNR. We are trying so hard to stem the overpopulation of free-roaming cats in Santa Barbara County, but sometimes we become discouraged. Please don’t wait until you see kittens to call us. We need to spay/neuter before they breed.

Scores more feral kittens we don’t need. It is exhausting and expensive to care for them all, not to mention the efforts to find them good homes. We have barely closed the books on the 2010 season; in fact we still have half a dozen leftovers that we don’t know what to do with.

If you are in the position to volunteer, please visit our website to fill out an application. Our ranks are always in need of expansion.

Product of the week: My cats love the Bergan Scratch Furniture-Lounger. Made of recycled paper, not only is it earth-friendly, but irresistible to cats who love to scratch. Save your furniture; check it out at http://www.berganexperience.com/scratchlounger/index.html