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The Ottawa Humane Society is in desperate need of short-term foster volunteers now that its shelter’s numbers are reaching a “crisis level.”

Kitten Brigade volunteers give a temporary home to the hundreds of kittens, nursing and pregnant cats, and sick cats that often aren’t ready for adoption.

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“These cats and kittens need caring people to give them temporary homes outside the shelter to become ready for adoption,” said executive director Bruce Roney in a news release. “Foster volunteers help save the lives of the most vulnerable animals. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Roney said he expects the already-high numbers to rise even more because of the busy summer months. As many as 50 animals come to the shelter a day, up from the usual dozen a day during the rest of the year.

That’s why the Kitten Brigade is a special summer program that allows future foster parents to sign up for just a couple months.

The next orientation is scheduled for July 30 at 6 p.m.

To become a foster parent you must:

Fill out afoster application form and email to foster@ottawahumane.ca

Volunteers who meet program requirements will be contacted for a quick phone interview

Submit a criminal record check

Attend a foster orientation

sallen@ottawacitizen.com

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