CAMDEN—Those who showed up at P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center’s Kitten Shower this past Saturday might have been surprised to see how few kittens were actually in the cages. Fewer than six fluff balls were available for the steady stream of visitors to cuddle.

“These are seven-week-old kittens who have been fostered and have one more week before they can be adopted,” said Amie Hutchinson, Executive Director at P.A.W.S. “More are coming, believe me.”

Due to the number of cats whose owners never got them spayed or neutered (including feral and abandoned litters) kitten season is actually one long season, typically starting in spring, peaking in early summer, and ending in fall. Area animal shelters, including P.A.W.S. find themselves flooded with steady influx of homeless litters at this time of year, putting a strain on what few supplies they have for the older cats.

As visitors streamed through during the afternoon, the shelter provided brownies, cookies and other treats, and in return, visitors filled up their office with donated kitten chow, paper towels, boxes of Clorox Wipes, treats, kitten formula and baby bottles, litter, towels and bedding.

Wendy Schneider, of Rockland, was beyond excited to see the two gray long-haired kittens, Grayson and Izzy, that she’d adopted together. Waiting for them to turn one more week older before she could take them home, she was happy to share the kittens with other families and children coming to see them.

P.A.W.S only has three active foster families at the moment with about a dozen volunteers and they’re hoping to find more families who’d be willing to take in the soon-to-be-coming spring litters for about eight weeks.

“We like to give the families everything they’ll need from litter to bedding and even formula for babies who’ve weened too early,” said Hutchinson.

Candy Hutchinson, of Rockport, was also on hand to talk about what it’s like to be a foster mother to kittens. Hutchinson, who is actually prohibited from owning pets in her apartment, got a special allowance from her landlord to foster.

“I’ve done this for other shelters too and have done it for about 15 years,” she said. “It’s just so satisfying to take these helpless creatures and socialize them to be ready for adoption.”

Hutchinson said the biggest fear for prospective foster families is that they’ll get too attached to the animals and wind up keeping too many of them. And while that does sometimes happen, she said, “You let them go because the next batch is coming.”

She added that fostering is ideal for families that want to “test drive” whether a pet is a good addition in their home.

Volunteer Gordi Guist, of Camden, has been volunteering for this organization for 17 years and said he comes in weekly to get his kitty fix.

”How could you not love them?” he said. He started the Penobscot Pet Pantry six years ago, which distributes donated pet items once a month to needy families at the new P.A.W.S. building on John Street. “We distribute a ton of food a month,” he said. “The people who use this service are very grateful.”

For more information on P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center visit: pawsadoption.org

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com