Royal Canin Launches Educational Series 'Catology', Offers Free Food To First-Time Kitten And Cat Fosters And Adopters

ST. CHARLES, Mo., April 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- While the world copes with our new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic, more-and-more people are turning to animal shelters and rescues to foster pets during shelter-in-place recommendations and mandatory stay-at-home orders. But for first time fosters, especially first-time fosters of kittens and cats, the experience can be as overwhelming as it is rewarding.

To help support first-time fosters and adopters, Royal Canin, a leader in feline nutrition, announced the launch of Catology – an educational series for first-time kitten fosters and adopters – as well as a free month of nutrition for kittens and cats being fostered or adopted¹. Catology will feature kitten expert and Internet sensation Hannah Shaw, The Kitten Lady, and is designed to offer support and resources to people who have welcomed a newly fostered or adopted cat or kitten into their home.

"Kitten season is officially here. And as a result of the pandemic, it's more important than ever before that people become fosters as animal shelters are operating with limited staff and limited funds," said Hannah Shaw. "With so many of us staying home, it's the perfect time to help save the life of a vulnerable feline. That's why I'm excited to partner with Royal Canin to help empower new foster parents with the skills and knowledge they need in order to become heroes for the little guys."

Catology will launch as a series of free, interactive livestreams, covering the most important kitten topics – caring for neonates, feeding and nutrition, kitten behavior and socializing, among others. The series will run each Saturday for four consecutive weeks starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT:

• April 18: Caring for Itty Bitty Bottle Babies
• April 25: Beyond The Bottle: Caring for Growing Kittens
• May 2: Kittens Healthy: Caring for the Most Fragile Felines
• May 9: Feral Felines: Helping Kittens Found Outdoors

The webinars will be streamed live on the official Facebook and Instagram of Royal Canin and the official Facebook and Instagram of The Kitten Lady and will be available to rewatch following each event. To register, visit: catology.eventbrite.com.

In addition to the livestreams, additional resources will be available in the Catology Facebook Group, a new community for cat owners, where veterinarians, nutritionists and other feline experts will host chats and share resources for new kitten and cat fosters and owners. The group will also feature success stories to highlight the incredible bond that can form between people and cats. To join, visit facebook.com/groups/mycatology.

"We are going through an unprecedented time right now – but it's incredible to see kindness emerge in times of need. While shelters and rescues are facing a crisis of their own in placing and caring for animals, people nationwide are opening their homes to pets in need," said Tony Wild, Director of Cat Acceleration for Royal Canin. "We are inspired by these actions and want to help make the transition to new pet ownership as seamless as possible, which is why we are offering to cover the cost of the first month of food for kitten and cat fosters and adopters. In addition, we're proud to partner with one of the best kitten experts in the world – Hannah Shaw, to be able to provide free educational resources. Our goal is to equip people with all of the tools and resources needed to have a successful experience, and hopefully turn many from fosters to forever homes."

New kitten fosters and adopters, can visit royalcanin.com/foster for information on how to receive free Royal Canin kitten and cat food.¹

For those interested in learning more about fostering, visit StayHomeAndFoster.org to connect with a shelter or rescue in your area. Out of an abundance of precaution, many shelters offer foster pet delivery or low contact pet pick up. For additional foster resources, visit kittenlady.org/webinar.

¹Limited to the first 1,000 sign-ups. New fosters and adopters can receive a rebate for the MSRP price (up to $30 back) for any purchase of Royal Canin Cat, Kitten or Mother and Babycat product(s). Learn more at royalcanin.com/foster.

About Royal Canin USA
Royal Canin USA is a leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition. Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has more than 50 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle and therapeutic requirements. Royal Canin diets are available at veterinary hospitals and pet specialty stores nationwide. Royal Canin is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com and "LIKE" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/royalcanin.us.

Media Contact: Courtney Suthoff, [email protected]

SOURCE Royal Canin