Events and News

Hope for Tiny Paws –

Kitten Foster Kickoff

Thursday March 19, 2026 6-7 pm

“Hope for Tiny Paws” Program Aims to Save Jackson County’s Most Vulnerable Kittens

New foster program “Hope for Tiny Paws” launches to help Jackson County kittens survive and thrive.

SYLVA, NC —March 9, 2026— As kitten season ramps up across Western North Carolina—bringing a surge of orphaned and vulnerable kittens—local rescue organization Catman2 and the Jackson County Animal Shelter have launched Hope for Tiny Paws, a new foster program designed to give the youngest kittens a fighting chance.

Every spring and summer, the Jackson County Animal Shelter sees a surge of kittens—many arriving without a mother, too sick to fight infection, or too young to eat on their own. These fragile kittens require round-the-clock care that a traditional shelter environment cannot always provide.

Hope for Tiny Paws bridges that gap by placing at-risk kittens into trained foster homes throughout Jackson County, where they can receive bottle feeding, medical monitoring, warmth, and individualized care until they are healthy enough for adoption.

“Without a foster home, some of these kittens simply don’t survive,” said Kaleb Lynch, Executive Director of Catman2. “Hope for Tiny Paws means a tiny heartbeat doesn’t get lost because of overcrowding or limited resources. It means someone shows up at 2 a.m. to feed a kitten who would otherwise have no chance.”

Through this partnership, kittens are transferred from the Jackson County Animal Shelter into foster care while veterinary oversight, supplies, and ongoing support are provided by the rescue. The collaboration allows the shelter to respond to emergencies while reducing strain during the busiest time of year.

“This program gives us the ability to act fast when tiny lives are on the line,” said Dana Madej, Animal Shelter Supervisor. “When the community steps up to foster, kittens get the time they need to grow— and that changes everything.”

Community members are urgently needed to help sustain Hope for Tiny Paws. Foster volunteers are especially critical during peak kitten season, which typically lasts through late summer. No prior experience is required; training, supplies, and support are provided.

A Kitten Kick-off Party will be held March 19 from 6–7 p.m. in the Jackson County Animal Shelter community room. Anyone interested in animal welfare in Jackson County, especially potential foster volunteers, is encouraged to attend.

Hope for Tiny Paws is a reminder that saving lives doesn’t always take a big organization—sometimes it takes a warm home, a loving touch, and a willingness to care for the smallest paws in the county.

Community members interested in fostering, donating, or supporting Hope for Tiny Paws can learn more at catman2.org or by calling the Jackson County Animal Shelter at 828-586-6138.