Spring and summer bring warmer weather, blooming flowers, and longer days, but for animal shelters, they also signal the arrival of kitten season. During this time of year, unspayed community cats give birth, resulting in a dramatic increase in the number of kittens needing care and support. At Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, kitten season is in full swing. As of this writing, we are caring for approximately 170 kittens in our shelter and foster homes. While these tiny felines may be irresistibly cute, the reality behind their care is a tremendous commitment of time, resources, and community support. Many of the kittens who arrive at GMHS are only days or weeks old. Some are orphaned and require bottle-feeding every few hours, including throughout the night. Others come to us sick, injured, or malnourished and need immediate veterinary care before they can begin to thrive. Every kitten requires food, vaccinations, parasite prevention, enrichment, socialization, and eventually spay o...