It’s kitten season in SLO County. Here’s how to take home a cuddly companion for less

It’s peak kitten season and the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter has more than 40 loving kittens waiting for their forever homes.

When the weather starts to warm as winter turns to spring, unaltered cats go in heat and look for mates.

Roughly 60 days later, kitten season begins in full swing as the cats give birth to numerous litters of kittens.

Animal shelters across the nation see an influx of kittens between March and October, so now is a better time than ever to find a new, furry best friend.

The shelter’s catteries are open to the public during normal business hours and are a great way to meet adoptable animals.

Whether you are ready to commit and take home a purring bundle of joy, or if you just want to give some kittens affection and love, the catteries at the SLO County Animal Services shelter are the place to be.

Kittens up for adoption include 14-week-old Emmett and 15-week-old Julius. These orange tabby cats are curious kitties who love to play and climb up in your lap.

Artichoke, who’s 16 weeks old, is a one-eyed wonder that enjoys cuddling with his friends and exploring the catio.

Not ready to adopt but still want to get involved? Apply to be a kitten foster parent today!

Visit the volunteer page on the Animal Services website and click on “complete a foster application” to get started.

Your new fluffy companion could be waiting for you at SLO County Animal Services. Come by and check out our kittens.

How to adopt a pet

For more information about Julius (ID# A295266), Emmett (ID#A296136) and Artichoke (ID# A296463) and other kittens, call the volunteer line at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter at 805-781-4400, extension 6, or visit slocounty.ca.gov/aserv. The shelter is located at 865 Oklahoma Ave. off Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo.

The full-price adoption fee is $85 for cats and $130 for dogs, plus a $30 county license fee for dogs, if the adopters are San Luis Obispo County residents.

The adoption fee includes a new collar, a spay or neuter operation, basic vaccinations, a microchip and eligibility for a free veterinary check within San Luis Obispo County. Cats also are tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus, and adopters receive a carrier.

Kittens adoption promotion at Woods Humane Society

As kitten season reaches its height on the Central Coast, Woods Human Society is holding a two-day, two-for-one adoption promotion to help more kittens find loving homes.

The Kitten Twofer event, sponsored by SLOCAL Roots Dispensary in San Luis Obispo, will be held Saturday and Sunday at Woods Humane Society locations in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero.

On those days, standard adoption fees will be just $75 per kitten when adopted as a pair. That applies to all young cats under 5 months old.

“Perhaps because of veterinarian shortages nationwide and the rising costs of pet care, this has been a very busy kitten season,” Woods CEO Emily L’Heureux said in a news release Wednesday, noting that the shelter has 31 kittens available for adoption and 68 more in foster care.

L’Heureux said there are many benefits to adopting two kittens instead of just one.

“Kittens have spurts of energy throughout the day and can require a lot of attention and handling from adopters,” she said. “With another young playmate in the home, however, they have built-in entertainment, the comfort of company, a socialization helper and a grooming partner to help them stay clean and healthy, thus taking some of the pressure off of adopters and helping to ensure successful, forever adoptions.”

All kittens at Woods have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, licensed and treated for parasites. Adoption includes a voluntary 30 days of pet insurance and a free wellness exam at a local vet clinic.

Woods Humane Society is located at 875 Oklahoma Ave. in San Luis Obispo, and 2300 Ramona Road in Atascadero.

Both locations are open to the public daily from noon to 5 p.m., with adoption hours from noon to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 805-543-9316 or visit WoodsHumaneSociety.org.