The Laois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA) have appealed for more foster homes.
May to September is considered 'Kitten Season', due to a high influx of litters from feral cats.
"The temperatures rise, inducing gestation in cats," Finn Ryan, Chair of LSPCA told the Leinster Express/Laois Live.
"Feral cats are having more kittens, and often these kittens will be abandoned because the Mammy cat doesn't know what to do, and can barely look after herself. The gestation period for a cat is only 63-70 days. Once the temperatures pick up, we see kittens popping up from May to September like crazy," Ms Ryan explained.
Currently, the charity have over 140 kittens in care amongst 22 voluntary fosters, and are struggling to deal with the overwhelming numbers.
"Every day we get more calls from people telling us that they saw a litter of kittens, or their own cat has had kittens. We have a very limited number of fosters, with each foster volunteer caring for double digits of kittens," said the Chairperson.
"The support we are already receiving from volunteers and communities has been so fantastic, and we would be nowhere without it. We're a voluntary group, so it's a mad scramble while we try to manage our shifts. What we really need are foster carers."
LSPCA will provide potential foster carers with all of the supplies needed, from crates and food, to blankets and toys.
The charity will also cover any potential vet bills, and help with the getting in and out of a vet.
"Things never stop being busy, but we do see it getting busier," said Ms Ryan.
"We recently received 40 kittens into foster care in the space of one week."
The organisation thanked their volunteers, and the public who continue to support them.
"We really need food suitable for kittens aged 12 weeks and under. We receive donations of cat food which is fantastic and goes so far, but food for kittens is needed in particular."
Laois SPCA have methods to prevent these surges of litters during 'kitten season', with special attention paid to spaying and neutering feral cats where possible.
Pictured: Laois SPCA fundraising at Cullohill's Folly Festival, Saturday July 6.
"It's not a widely known fact, but a cat can have kittens from the age of four months," Ms Ryan said.
"They will also continue to have litter after litter, until their body can no longer produce them. This means that a four month old kitten could have a litter of nine kittens, already adding to a perpetual cycle. Life is so, so tough for a feral cat, and we do all that we can to help them.
When feral kittens go through the adoption process, we will trap and neuter them. It's especially helpful if we can get them by the time they are 10 weeks old, so they can be socialised. Once through the adoption process, we neuter them, vaccinate them and treat them for parasites.
"When a cat is spayed, they need less calories, and they won't have litters that may take more from them too. I have seen scrawny little cats with dull coats be spayed, and turn into the most gorgeous, shiny, chubby little cats."
The charity have seen a significant uptick in reports of feral cats in the Mountmellick area.
"We aren't fully sure if there is a bad situation in Mountmellick, or if we have succeeded very well in raising awareness in the town. We receive many calls from the area about litters, not just singular cats. We're happy to receive these calls, and urge people to continue to notify us when they notice stray animals or litters. Even if you are just feeding a wild cat, please let us know so we can help," Ms Ryan finished.
Laois SPCA is a voluntary organisation and all proceeds go towards helping the animals of Laois.
