Rescue organizations are encouraging citizens to keep an eye out for feral cats to have them spayed and neutered to reduce stray feline populations around the country.

With the coming of warm temperatures in the early spring, animal shelters also refer to this time of year as kitten season. This is the time when these organizations receive an influx of kittens that they may not be able to find homes for. With many feral cats in the wild soon to give birth, rescue organizations are encouraging local pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered and alert local authorities to any feral cat colonies that could cause the pet population to explode, according to CatChannel.com.

One organization, Alley Cat Allies, springs to action during this time of year with a series of public education programs and working with local authorities to spay or neuter populations of feral cats. With the millions of kittens that enter animal shelters each year, unfortunately, many of them will need to be put down if they aren't able to find homes.

"Before the ice thaws, the cats are already pregnant," Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies, told the news source. "The time for prevention is now - preventing new litters and preventing the needless deaths of millions of cats in animal shelters."

Alley Cat Allies also sponsors the Trap-Neuter-Return program which aims to spay and neuter feral cat populations around the country. Not only does this reduce the amount of kittens entering animal shelters each year, but it spares these felines from the stresses of pregnancy. Currently, the program is official policy in communities like Washington, D.C., Oklahoma City and Chicago and it is one of the most humane methods of controlling the feline population.

The Trap-Neuter-Return program is one of the many ways that individuals can improve animal wellness in their community. Alley Cat Allies offers instructions and videos on their website for those who happen to spot a feral cat colony and want to know how to help. Many communities are already ready to spay and neuter these animals and they would much rather alleviate the problem than put the burden on local animal shelters.

Kitten season is a joyous time for many individuals, but for animal shelters it can be one of the most harrowing times of the year. Thankfully, ordinary residents can practice TNR, limit animal populations and improve cat wellness in their communities.