A local animal shelter can’t take in any more cats.
The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society has 91 cats under its roof; it’s capacity is 60.
Executive director Maryann Kleynendorst said they have cats living in rooms that aren’t meant to be cat rooms and although the animals are safe, they aren’t happy. Many have been there for more than six months, some for years.
"They shouldn’t be here for this long," she said. "It’s safe here and we’re kind to them but there is only so much we can do as far as interacting with them and playing with them."
The Humane Society took in 75 cats recently from a hoarding situation, none of them were spayed or neutered and some of them are pregnant. Kleynendorst said while they had 91 cats as of Thursday morning, they could have another 15 by the end of the day.
Puppies and small dogs are adopted quickly, but cats just aren’t moving. Kleynendorst said she doesn’t know why.
"For some reason, people don’t want to adopt adult cats," she said. "To me, they are beautiful companion animals for seniors or shut-ins. They’re not that much care …a lot of these cats just want to go and sit on someone’s lap and watch television with them."
A normal adoption fee for a cat is $225; people get $100 back when they can show the cat has been spayed or neutered. To encourage people to adopt a cat, the Humane Society is waiving the adoption fee until Sept. 30 and only charging the $100 spay or neuter deposit.
And many of the adult cats have already been spayed or neutered.
"In the best interest of these animals, we will forgo the fee to get them into good homes," said Kleynendorst, adding the organization is in the preliminary stages of developing a low-cost spay and neuter program for low-income families.
"It would take some will on the part of the community," she said, adding they need to develop partnerships with veterinary clinics and social service programs throughout the city to make it happen.
Although the Rosslyn Road facility is in a state of cat gridlock, Kleynendorst said they won’t turn away a cat in an emergency situation. However, they are asking people to wait and hold onto the animals until they can make room for them at the Human Society.
