Are you kitten me? Young cats at shelter need homes
Volley, a kitten found on the UMass Dartmouth campus, cuddles with shelter worker Desiree Rogers. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowless 
Grumpy is wary of a visitor. 
Bashful isn't particularly shy as he checks out life beyond the glass.
Sarah takes a snooze. 
Shelter worker Dorothy Lecomte with Ralley, the other kitten found at UMass Dartmouth.
Volley, a kitten found on the UMass Dartmouth campus, cuddles with shelter worker Desiree Rogers. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowless
Grumpy is wary of a visitor.
Bashful isn't particularly shy as he checks out life beyond the glass.
Sarah takes a snooze.
Shelter worker Dorothy Lecomte with Ralley, the other kitten found at UMass Dartmouth.
Some were found on a golf cart at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.
Others came in from crowded shelters in Florida.
But all the kittens now housed at the Humane Society & Shelter SouthCoast share a specific need: Loving homes.
About 40 kittens of varying colors and personalities are in the society’s care, according to Dorothy Lecomte, a shelter worker.
Not all are immediately available for adoption. Animals that enter the shelter are placed on hold to ensure they do not belong to anyone.
Once that period ends, they receive any needed non-emergency medical treatment. They are then vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
This process moves along as swiftly as possible. “We want to get them out as quickly as possible so they can be available for adoption,’’ Lecomte said.
Adopting a kitten can bring great joy but Lecomte reminds prospective owners that kittens can be highly energetic.
“A lot of people think they’re cute but forget their energy level. They need a lot more time than people sometimes realize.’’
Kittens, she said, can’t just be left at home for long periods. “They need attention,’’ she said. “You have to have time to spend time with them. ‘’
Toys are also important so they can release their energy.
Before adopting a kitten, or any animal at the shelter, prospective candidates must fill out an application showing proof of address so that staff can be sure an animal is allowed to live there.
Children should meet the kitten in advance to make sure they can interact safely, Lecomte said.
The successful end result, Lecomte said, is a new home for a new friend that brings joy to both feline and human counterparts.
“Everybody loves kittens,’’ she said. “They’re fun. They’re adventurous. They’re just very cute.’’
