DOWNEY – Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, and Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) in Downey are joining forces to expand SEAACA’s existing kitten foster program, increasing the shelter's capacity to care for orphaned, vulnerable and unweaned kittens.

In 2022, SEAACA took in 1,894 kittens, of which 1,037 (55%) were saved. By collaborating with Best Friends to expand the existing foster program, the shelter can build upon their commitment to increase lifesaving for kittens in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Kittens brought into the shelter from SEAACA’s service area can be fostered by local volunteers. Beginning in July, the program will be piloted for six months after which it will transition fully to the shelter with ongoing support from Best Friends.

The partnership launch is timed to “Kitten Season”—the time of year when un-spayed female cats have most of their kittens. During May to November, communities across the country see a surge in their cat populations with thousands of kittens arriving in overwhelming numbers at local animal shelters.

Kittens, especially newborns, are among the most at-risk population in a shelter environment and require specialized and around-the-clock care to help them thrive. This enhanced program will help to mitigate kittens from entering the shelter by getting them into foster homes until they can be adopted.

"Starting and running a successful foster program with volunteer support can be a significant challenge for an animal shelter,” said Brittany Thorn, Executive Director, Best Friends Animal Society, Los Angeles. “SEAACA is committed to increasing their lifesaving programming, but it takes a community to help save its homeless pets. We are looking forward to working with the shelter team and local volunteers to create a thriving program for the community and their pets.”

“SEAACA has been making tremendous strides to increase animal lifesaving, particularly with the vulnerable, unweaned kitten population,” said Denise Woodside, Executive Director, SEAACA. “We recognize that we cannot do this alone and receiving support from our community and lifesaving partners like Best Friends Animal Society is crucial to SEAACA’s ongoing efforts. We are grateful for the partnership, enthusiasm and support of Best Friends Animal Society as we all work together to increase animal lifesaving.”

Fostering kittens is an easy way to help and all supplies and training will be provided at no cost. To start fostering and take in a pet in need, please sign-up here or email fosterSEAACA@bestfriends.org for more information.