NYC Protective Animal Services Brace For 'Kitten Season'

By 1010 WINS' Susan Richard

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- They call it "kitten season," and while that sounds pretty cute, the reality is very sad.

Each year, in the spring and summer months, thousands of kittens are born to both unspayed pets and street cats in the Tri-State area, and many of them end up at kill shelters.

In the five boroughs, Animal Care & Control of New York  becomes inundated with the young felines virtually overnight, according to Executive Director Julie Bank.

In response, the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals,  created the New York City Feral Cat Initiative, which offers resources to rescuers including free workshops sponsored by Pet Smart Charities.

Topics include bottle feeding, socializing feral kittens and managing feral cat colonies.

There are also plenty of other ways concerned New Yorkers can help, and in the latest edition of All For Animals, 1010 WINS' Susan Richard speaks to both Julie Bank and NYFCI's Mike Phillips.

Please note:  The All For Animals program is a production of New Day Media and is placed on CBSNewYork.com as a courtesy.  Learn more at allforanimals.tv.