For Immediate Release
February 12, 2016
Contact: Justine Lentz
Animal Services Superintendant 479.444.3455
jlentz@fayetteville-ar.gov
Shelter Hosting Orientation for Bottle Baby Kitten Fosters
Fayetteville Animal Services is starting early this year to prepare for the arrival of orphaned or abandoned kittens that require bottle feeding and is hosting an orientation on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in the education room of the Lib Horn Animal Shelter.
As warmer temperatures approach, Fayetteville Animal Services will begin receiving boxes, crates, and old towels with orphaned or abandoned newborn baby kittens. These kittens will require bottle feeding anywhere from every two to four hours, depending on age. “We buy supplies and we prepare our training materials, but we can only save the kittens if we have volunteers willing to feed and take care of them,” said Shannon Rankin, animal services technician and resident kitten bottle feeding expert. The orientation is to help new and existing foster parents prepare. “We have one bottle baby kitten right now, so we will have an actual hands-on demonstration,” Rankin stated.
Fayetteville Animal Services will provide training, advice, materials, and support to any interested volunteers. “We are trying to be as prepared as possible so we can save as many lives as we can,” said shelter superintendent, Justine Lentz. “We’ve been doing this for a few years now, but we want to reach out to the community at large and engage citizens who might be perfect fosters for bottle baby kittens but just don’t know about the program,” Lentz continued. Anyone interested in learning more can call Fayetteville Animal Services at 479-444-3456 and staff will be happy to answer questions. Names and contact information are also being taken so staff can notify interested parties when orientations are scheduled. Rankin said, “Every minute counts when these babies come through our doors, and we try to be ready, because their lives really do depend on it.”
The Lib Horn Animal Shelter is located at 1640 S. Armstrong Avenue in Fayetteville. More information about the shelter and programs can be found here.
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