Leader Staff
If all those Facebook photos of cute cats in various acts of feline funny business makes you fond of holding a furry friend of your own, there might not be a better time than this month to make that happen.
The Shawano County Humane Society is sheltering all the cats that it can hold, according to assistant director Shelly Hansen, and hopes to move as many cats as it can into good homes by the end of the month.
“We’re running out of space,” she said. “We’re not taking any cats in.”
The humane society is nearly halfway through its first-ever Cat Adoption Month Adopt-a-Thon, with reduced adoption rates and special weekend events.
Hansen said the month is going well, with 13 cats sent to new homes as of Friday afternoon.
That still leaves 120 cats at the shelter awaiting adoption.
Hansen said the cats are a mixed population of strays and surrendered animals.
“Mostly unwanted litters,” she said.
It usually costs $125 to adopt a cat, but during the month of July cats 5 years and older can be claimed for $25. Those 6 month to 5 years can be adopted for $50.
Adopted cats will be spayed or neutered and receive vaccines before going home.
Hansen said those unable to adopt a cat are also welcome to volunteer at the shelter.
Also needed are food and litter, she said.
The society, at 1290 Jaycee Court in Shawano, will hold special events over the next two weekends.
There will be a scavenger hunt and face painting on from 12-2 p.m. July 19 and a carnival game day from 12-3 p.m. July 26. A basket raffle will also be held for those who have adopted a cat during this month.
Cat Adoption Month is being sponsored by Thrivent Financial.
Jennifer Wolf, a humane society board member, approached Thrivent about sponsorship.
“My goal in asking Thrivent Financial to sponsor the cat adopt-a-thon was to help the cats in our local shelter find their ‘furr-ever’ homes,” she said. “Also to help educate the general public on the importance of spaying and neutering and how soon a kitten can get pregnant and have her own kittens.”
A female kitten can get pregnant as early as 3 months of age.
“Spaying and neutering your pets is so important,” Wolf said. “I have three cats at home and wish I could help more cats. This was my way to do that.”