By Sarah Opdahl

On the sunny afternoon of Sunday, April 12, the New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society (NFSAW) excitedly hosted their annual Kitten Shower. With a steady stream of visitors at the event’s beginning, NFSAW volunteers were happy to welcome attendees and share information about all things kittens.

NFSAW’s President and Shelter Director Agi Pace explained that there are three kittens, all at the fundraiser, who are nearly ready for adoption. In the next few weeks they will undergo spay or neuter surgery and then will join their new families. Tentatively named Violet, Vine, and Vivaldi Potatoes, the kittens went from sound asleep to seeking escape in a matter of seconds, thoroughly charming all in attendance.

A fun event for all ages, there were stations for crafts, games, and a heavily laden baked goods table that was created completely with donations from volunteers. A large raffle was a draw, as well a table with oodles of information on kitten growth and care. NFSAW is entering “kitten season,” which  typically runs from early spring to late fall. Given the natural cycle, the summer tends to be when the shelter has the most kittens available. They require kittens to be two pounds and two months old before adoption.

Though there are just three kittens now, typically NFSAW cares for over 100 babies during the busy, kitten-season time frame. Taking care of kittens during this period is very costly for the shelter and donations, from monetary and food to litter and toys, are very much appreciated. Volunteer help at the shelter is also welcome.

Most of the kittens that the shelter takes in are found by the public. Residents or staff members bring the kittens to the shelter, take them to the veterinarian, and then they are typically fostered, with a focus on socialization and care until they are ready to be spayed or neutered.

NFSAW welcomes as many fosters as possible for animals at every stage of life. Patty, who lives in Bethel and was in attendance at the fundraiser, fosters kittens for the shelter year round and finds the effort to be tremendously rewarding. Described as a kitten caregiver from bottle feeding to “teenage stage,” she said, “I love to watch them thrive and grow.”

NFSAW welcomed and appreciated all contributions at the Kitten Shower and would happily accept any that the community would like to continue to extend. They are always in need of wet and dry kitten food, as well as clean baby blankets. An Amazon wish list is available on their website, Nfsaw.org, as well as a portal for monetary donations.

If anyone is interested in fostering kittens, puppies, cats, or dogs, please also visit the shelter’s website to complete an application or stop by the shelter any day between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  The shelter is located at 223 CT-Route 37 North in New Fairfield. NFSAW.org is also where you can seek out an application for adoption for Violet, Vine, Vivaldi Potatoes, or any of the dozens more that will be ready to join a loving home in the coming months.