The purpose of the Kitten Exchange Program is to help break the cycle of unwanted kittens by helping you get your female cat spayed. If your female cat is currently pregnant or has a litter of kittens, and you live in one of our contracting towns we can help!
The first step is to carefully read this information and fill out the application. Essentially, under the KEP, your female cat and kittens will become the legal property of the Somerset Humane Society for the duration of the program. Ownership of your female cat will be returned to you once she is spayed. The reason SHS takes ownership of cat & kittens is so we can legally administer vaccines, flea treatments, de-wormers and medications as needed, just like we would for any cat in shelter care. This also allows SHS to get your female cat spayed by our veterinarian after the kittens are weaned at 8 weeks old. This stops the cycle of kittens for your female cat and is very cost effective for you, as spay surgeries cost anywhere from $200-$350, and we only ask for a $25 donation.
You have 2 choices during the waiting period while the kittens are being born and/or weaned.
- You can choose to be the foster home for the cat during this time, which can be as long as 2-3 months, depending on the age of the kittens. You will be responsible for bringing the mom cat and kittens in for health checks and vaccines, etc. on a regular basis during this period. After the kittens are weaned, you will return mom cat and kittens to SHS to be fixed. After mom cat is spayed, SHS will return ownership of the mom cat to you. All kittens will remain shelter property, and will be fixed and adopted to responsible and loving homes.
- If this is too much for you, or you just don’t want to deal with kittens underfoot, we may be able to find another foster home for the female cat and her kittens where they will be well cared for during this time period. Maine State Law requires mother cats to remain with their offspring for no less than a period of 8 weeks after birth. After the kittens are weaned and the female cat is spayed, SHS will return ownership of the cat to you. All kittens will remain shelter property, be fixed and adopted to responsible and loving homes.
If you would like to participate in this program, then please carefully read and fill out the following form. If you qualify for this program, there will be a fee of $25.00 due upon your first initial appointment. You will be contacted either way after we receive your application to schedule an appointment for the next step.