Kitten Tsunami: Why Kitten Season Floods Shelters with Felines
This week on Cattitude, host Michelle Fern welcomes Tori Fugate, Director of Communications for Shelter Animals Count, to talk about the peak of kitten season and what new national data is revealing about the influx of feline intakes across shelters. Tori shares critical insights from 2024’s shelter data showing how kitten intakes (0–8 weeks old) surge in May, followed by a boom of juvenile cats in June and July. This seasonal trend puts enormous pressure on animal shelters, making it vital for rescues to proactively plan for fosters, staffing, medical care, and community support. Learn how this data helps shelters better prepare, save lives, and support these most vulnerable feline arrivals—and what you can do to help!
Listen to Episode #274 Now:
Crunch Time for Kittens: What the Data Says About Peak Season
BIO:
Tori Fugate is an award-winning communications professional in the field of animal sheltering and is recognized as an industry leader. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization, and we are excited to have her on board.
Tori looks forward to the opportunity to use data and transparency to tell the compelling stories of what is happening throughout the animal welfare industry across the country. As the Chief Communications Officer at KC Pet Project in Kansas City, MO, Missouri’s largest animal shelter, she spent over 12 years elevating the organization’s profile from its inception to a position of national prominence within the animal shelter industry.
Tori’s role included media relations, social media strategy, marketing, customer experience, event management, and fundraising. These responsibilities honed her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences while upholding organizational values and branding.
Tori is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to Shelter Animals Count, where she will continue to advance our mission and communicate the vital work being done in the animal welfare industry on a national level. With her extensive knowledge of animal welfare and best practices, she is well-equipped to lead our marketing efforts and drive the organization’s continued success.