Formula, bottles, bedding, and toys all on wish list
Hillsborough County, Fla. (April 23, 2026) - Spring marks the start of kitten season, and the Pet Resource Center is seeking the community's help through volunteering, fostering, and adoption. The shelter is hosting a kitten shower on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619. Attendees can meet adoptable pets, enjoy family-friendly activities, donate supplies, and sign up to foster.
For those interested in donating, PRC collects essential supplies such as kitten formula, bottles, soft bedding, and enrichment toys, all of which are critical during a time when many kittens are too young to survive without around-the-clock care. A full list of items needed can be found here.
Kitten season typically spans from early spring to late summer when temperatures rise and cats breed more frequently. During this time, stray and feral cats give birth to litters of kittens, leading to an influx of vulnerable young cats in need of care and shelter. The Pet Resource Center's cat population is already high just as kitten season begins in earnest. Last year, the shelter's cat population at times exceeded 500% capacity.
Many kittens are brought to the shelter each year by well-meaning residents who find a litter outdoors. Shelter officials note that the best practice is to leave outdoor kittens where they are. Mothers may be very close or may be hunting for food. It is extremely rare that kittens are abandoned by their mother. Taking kittens away reduces their natural development of their immune systems and adversely affects their socialization.
The Pet Resource Center, 440 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619, is Hillsborough County's only open-admissions shelter. It accepts all dogs or cats regardless of age, breed, size or medical condition. Residents can view adoptable pets at HCFL.gov/Adopt. Follow PRC on Facebook and Instagram @PRCPets for weekly featured pets and other PRC news.