Spring seems to be springing on the Island at last. Along with the sound of pinkletinks, keep your ears open for the mews of newborn kittens. Despite our best efforts, some cats remain unspayed and, when their kittens come, frequently choose an unorthodox location to give birth. The animal shelter is willing to welcome any litters found. They will be lovingly cared for and adopted out to good homes when they are ready to leave their mama. We already have a kitten list with many prospective owners signed up. The shelter is also willing to house the mother, have her spayed, and find her a new owner.

Speaking of spaying, the animal shelter is co-sponsoring a program called the Spay Waggin Shelter Days in Falmouth on May 7. This is a van with all the facilities to operate on your male or female animal for a reasonable cost. The animal control officers and other shelters will join the shelter in supporting this worthwhile cause. For more details, contact the animal shelter.

The shelter has very little planting in the space just outside the doors, but what is there is in tatters after this hard winter. We would welcome anyone who has the time and a trowel to volunteer their green thumbs to spruce up this area.

Mickey and Tui, the male tuxedo cats in residence, are to be joined by two cats of different colors. One is a tortoiseshell and one is all black, and both are female and elderly. Each was a former shelter resident and was returned through no fault of her own. One former owner died and the other is moving so both cats were re-surrendered. The shelter will always take back any animal previously housed here. We are hoping that both Mickey and Tui, who have been inhabiting our cat room for a few weeks, will not have to wait much longer for new owners to claim them.

The shelter’s cat carrier supply is running low. We would be thankful for any extras that may be stored in a garage or basement gathering dust. We hope to put those carriers to good use transporting our felines to their forever homes.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662. Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.