Kirby's mom here-
KITTENS HAVE INVADED KIRBY'S BLOG!! No, not really but they have invaded Harbor Humane Society, where I'm a volunteer. Yesterday I volunteered with my niece Emily at the shelter. Our job: to socialize little baby kittens, in other words just love on them! The shelter staff said it was important for these little guys to learn that being handled by people is okay. Emily is a huge cat lover and I have been wanting to learn more about Harbor and all the aspects of the shelter so we volunteered to help with cats yesterday. We had a wonderful time and completely enjoyed cuddling with these little cuties, including the ones that weren't too happy to be held "hiss...hiss!"
KITTENS HAVE INVADED KIRBY'S BLOG!! No, not really but they have invaded Harbor Humane Society, where I'm a volunteer. Yesterday I volunteered with my niece Emily at the shelter. Our job: to socialize little baby kittens, in other words just love on them! The shelter staff said it was important for these little guys to learn that being handled by people is okay. Emily is a huge cat lover and I have been wanting to learn more about Harbor and all the aspects of the shelter so we volunteered to help with cats yesterday. We had a wonderful time and completely enjoyed cuddling with these little cuties, including the ones that weren't too happy to be held "hiss...hiss!" 
However, Emily and I realized that these were the lucky ones. Harbor Humane Society is a kill shelter. Please know that they take euthanizing animals very seriously and go above and beyond seeking alternate ways to help an animal before deciding to euthanize and no animal that comes in has a timeline. But let's face it, it is a reality in today's world and you can't deny that this happens everyday. 
In the special room that is set up for these guys (2mos and younger) there were 11-12 litters of kittens. Two had moms with them and the rest were just the kittens ranging from 2-6 per litter! Emily and I spent three hours there and loved on at least 18 little ones. We didn't bother the litters with the moms because we were unsure of how the mom would react. One litter that was with the mom looked like they were born just days ago, probably at the shelter.
In the special room that is set up for these guys (2mos and younger) there were 11-12 litters of kittens. Two had moms with them and the rest were just the kittens ranging from 2-6 per litter! Emily and I spent three hours there and loved on at least 18 little ones. We didn't bother the litters with the moms because we were unsure of how the mom would react. One litter that was with the mom looked like they were born just days ago, probably at the shelter.Harbor gets in litters every day, especially now! Spring is huge for shelters and litters. Harbor relies on foster homes, rescues and the space they have available to take in these litters everyday. They search out every possible place to house a momma cat and her kittens so that they don't have to euthanzie. The saddest thing in the world is to put down a healthy animal, due to lack of space....but it does happen.
In 2009, Harbor took in 981 kittens under 6 months of age. Of these, 405 were euthanized. This could have been due to sickness, but it could also be due to the fact that Harbor had no foster homes or space for the kittens to go to and therefore had no way to properly care for them. It's a sad fact, but it's reality. Harbor is the only animal shelter in our county, therefore every single litter comes there!! 
Do you have a shelter near you? Right now is prime kitten/puppy litter time!! You would be amazed at what you can do to help a shelter right now. Everything from newspapers, blankets, kitten/puppy formula, food and toys is what they need! I know at Harbor, they rely entirely on private donations. Shelters also need fosters. I have never fostered a litter of kittens, I have no idea of what is involved so I can't tell you much about that. But can you go in to a shelter and love on some little ones, and show them how loving people can truly be? A few hours a week or a month mean a lot to shelters that are truly struggling right now. At most shelters, the staff doesn't have time to snuggle and love the animals, they depend on volunteers to do this. Now, I can tell you that this is TRULY rewarding for both you and the animal!! I have been asked how can I volunteer at a kill shelter? I answer it's BECAUSE it's a kill shelter that I volunteer. Volunteers can help an animal become more adoptable just by spending time with it.
One more thing you can do is to support low cost spay and neuter programs in your communityand strongly encourage any family and friends you have to have their animals spayed and neutered!!
Do you have a shelter near you? Right now is prime kitten/puppy litter time!! You would be amazed at what you can do to help a shelter right now. Everything from newspapers, blankets, kitten/puppy formula, food and toys is what they need! I know at Harbor, they rely entirely on private donations. Shelters also need fosters. I have never fostered a litter of kittens, I have no idea of what is involved so I can't tell you much about that. But can you go in to a shelter and love on some little ones, and show them how loving people can truly be? A few hours a week or a month mean a lot to shelters that are truly struggling right now. At most shelters, the staff doesn't have time to snuggle and love the animals, they depend on volunteers to do this. Now, I can tell you that this is TRULY rewarding for both you and the animal!! I have been asked how can I volunteer at a kill shelter? I answer it's BECAUSE it's a kill shelter that I volunteer. Volunteers can help an animal become more adoptable just by spending time with it. One more thing you can do is to support low cost spay and neuter programs in your communityand strongly encourage any family and friends you have to have their animals spayed and neutered!! 
Loving Kirby and kittens,Kirby's mom
PS: these pics are not pictures of the kittens at Harbor, they are ones I found online.
Haa, haa! Isn't that hillarious! When my rear end hit the tree, my legs went automatically up! Isn't that amazing! Mom and I have been on vacation this week visiting parks with Aunt Lori and the kids. Mom and I will post some of our adventures later this weekend, so while you are waiting to read about them enjoy these awesome dogger bloggers below:
Her name is Maggie May, she is 3 1/2 year old cocker spaniel! (and she is riding in my mom's back seat!). Mom said Maggie May was surrendered by her owners a few days ago because they were moving and couldn't take her with them. Mom said she rode in the car really good, you didn't even realize a dog was back there. Maggie May is a total lover and loves everyone and everything, not bad for a dog who just got surrendered by her family huh? Mom thinks she will get adopted soon, possibly by one of the volunteers who just lovers cockers!!! Here is a picture of Maggie May and her wagging tail (yes she is a long tailed cocker spaniel!) That tail never stopped waggin all day!:
Here are some pics of the other dogs my mom hung around with today. In the picture below is DeLorean. He is a deaf pittie puppy, but guess what? He knows sign language! The staff and volunteers have worked with him and he knows quite a few signs already, very impressive!
In the pic below is Clyde. He is a pittie puppy about 6 months old or so. Do you see his ears, his previous owners cut his ears off with scissors!! Mom says this is a common practice for people who use pitties for fighting. Clyde got rescued just in time! Mom said, even though he was tortured by people, he loves them like crazy and doesn't have a mean bone in him!! If you have a lap, he'd gladly sit in it!
In the picture below is Jax. He is a 10 year old beagle!! Mom says he is as sweet as his ole' face is!
Below is Boomer! He is a 10 month old Boxer hound mix. Mom has had him at adoption events before and just loves this guy!
In the picture below is Beetle. He is a beagle/pug/bull dog mix. Another smiley guy!
Below is foxy Roxy! She is a french bulldog, check out those ears, mom said she was very comical with them, but was very laid back and easy going. Just a really nice girl!
And then there was Kelly, a beautiful hound dog! Mom said she was also a nice girl, with the sweetest hound face!
Mom had a really good time at the events, and there were some applications filled out on dogs and some people took apps home. Here's hoping that these wonderful dogs find wonderful homes soon!
Well I'd like to reveal the big suprise! Her name is Diah (pronounced Deeahh) and she is my Aunt K's new dog! You may remember my Aunt K's dog Scooter died in March. Well Diah came home yesterday! My mom met her today and said she is a real sweetheart and is really good with little B who is almost 3 years old! I will get to meet her soon, mom says she needs to settle in first and get used to her home, oh yeah, I remember those days!
We had to change the song too, the beach boys just got me too excited!!! So we slowed it down a bit and we will see how it goes....what song are we using...its....A SUPRISE! Okay, now for the sneak peeks. These are a few of the "moves" we are putting into our routine. In the video below, is the first one we start with. Mom has done the whole routine to music without me and it seems to flow really well, but we may change a few things once she adds me to it. 
SET...... 
WHEW!!!!!
I also got to play "Adventure dog" and climb a tree. I was certain I would have seen a squirrel but there were none to be found!
Mom and Emily worked at an adoption event for Harbor too! Here is a pic of them, what a team!
Look at who they got to hang out with too! Below is beautiful Olivia, this is who mom and Emily hung out with. She is a beautiful pittie with a wonderful temperment. Mom says Olivia is just a lover and just wants to be petted and loved. Mom found out Saturday that Olivia got adopted! She went into a home with 3 kids between the ages of 12 and 5, the family previously had a pit and wanted another one and just fell in love with her. Yeah for Olivia!: 
