Overwhelmed by the number of kittens in their care, the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee has been forced to close its doors to any more felines in need.

The Victoria-based charity, which has a network of foster carers that look after sick or orphaned kittens, is appealing to the community for help to raise money to cover the ongoing cost of care for the animals, to enable them to resume normal service as soon as possible.

Currently, there are 60 kittens in the rescue serviceB次元官网网址檚 care, with another 23 expected to arrive this week - a commitment the organization made before deciding to pause its service.

B次元官网网址淲e just can't keep up at that pace,B次元官网网址� said Sharon Rubin, who estimates close to 400 kittens and cats have been in their care so far in 2024, a record number for the charity.

B次元官网网址淚t's sad, because this is the hardest time of year for kittens,B次元官网网址� added Rubin, who describes mid-August to the end of September as B次元官网网址榢itten seasonB次元官网网址� in Victoria. B次元官网网址淪o it's really sad to think that at the worst time, the busiest time, we just can't take in any more."

B次元官网网址淚t's just not responsible to take any more right now, until we can make sure that we can care for them.B次元官网网址�

Supporters can help by making a donation, by hosting a fundraising event or by purchasing pet food via the organizationB次元官网网址檚 online vet store.

To help relieve capacity, anyone looking for a kitten should keep an eye on Itty Bitty KittyB次元官网网址檚 Facebook page, as a number of animals in their care will soon be ready for adoption.

B次元官网网址淎doption would definitely help,B次元官网网址� said Rubin, B次元官网网址渂ecause that just frees up some resources to help the next bunch.B次元官网网址�

Rubin says she would also welcome administrative help to ensure the network of foster carers are receiving the necessary support and resources they need to care for the kittens.

B次元官网网址淏ecause not only are we running a rescue, which is all volunteer based B次元官网网址� we also have the spay and neuter cruiser, so we've got two major projects,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd when the kitten numbers get high, I feel like I donB次元官网网址檛 have the capacity to make sure that everybody is getting all the individual attention they need.B次元官网网址�

To help combat the rising number of unwanted kittens, the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee recently opened a new low-cost spay and neuter clinic for cats, which has received overwhelming demand.

B次元官网网址淚'd love a point in my life where I can work myself out of a job,B次元官网网址� said Rubin. B次元官网网址淲here there's just basically so many people who can get animals and just have them spayed and neutered, so that we don't have to be that resource to help. That would be amazing.B次元官网网址�

To find out more about how to help the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee follow them on Facebook, or visit their website: .