Canada’s first ‘kitten college’ opens in Langley, B.C.

The Langley Animal Protection Society is launching what it describes as Canada’s first National Kitten College in Langley, B.C. The free sessions are designed to help people better care for neonatal and orphaned kittens.

Newborn kittens without their mothers are extremely vulnerable and depend entirely on caregivers for warmth, nutrition, hygiene and monitoring.

Sarah Jones of LAPS said the organization and other groups involved want to expand and strengthen their foster programs so kittens with varying needs always have somewhere to go, rather than relying only on staff to take them home. Jones said she has a litter of kittens in her basement and is often up at 2 a.m. caring for them, as are other members of her team.

Jones said the aim is to recruit people, reduce their fear about caring for kittens and help the public support LAPS. More courses are planned.