News About Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

Spring brings with it challenges for the Durham County Animal Shelter. Along with the flowers and warm weather comes what is known in animal shelters as “kitten season”. While everyone involved with the APS adores newborn kittens, there is a sad side to what should be a beautiful sight. The tragedy is that there are simply not enough good homes for them all. Right now the Durham County Animal Shelter is full and more cats and kittens are arriving every day. Shafonda Davis Price, Shelter Manager, says “Even though we love and enjoy all the cats in our care, with no room it becomes very difficult to care for them all. It’s our desire to find as many of these cats good forever homes as we can”

In order to alleviate the situation, the APS of Durham is reaching out to the Durham community and encouraging people to consider adopting a cat or kitten from the shelter. In order to make the adoption process easier many of the cats are photographed, descriptions of their personalities written and videos filmed and then made available on the APS website http://www.apsofdurham.org/category/adoptable_cats/

New adopters are also given a free DVD made by the Animal Planet with helpful information about bringing a new cat into a home.

Furthermore, since cats love companionship, if two cats are adopted at the same time the second cat’s adoption fee is only $50. The adoption fee for a cat is $95 which covers initial vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and a microchip.

On June 13th the APS will be holding an event at the shelter which will highlight the cats. At the “Adopt a Shelter Cat Event” there will be a contest to highlight some of the cats, a raffle and special gift packages for the first 20 adopters of the day. There will be a face painter for kids (or adults!) and volunteers and staff available to answer any questions. Families are encouraged to visit. This event will be from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Durham County Animal Shelter 2117 E. Club Blvd.

As always the APS of Durham encourages anyone with a cat that is not yet spayed or neutered to contact the shelter so various options, including low cost and subsidized spay/neuter, can be discussed. And the APS continues to make cat food available through the Salvation Army on Liberty St for pet owners facing economic challenges.

Simon Woodrup, Community Outreach Director, has a special place in his heart for cats. “As a cat lover, this time of year is difficult. It hurts to see all these great cats without homes. We encourage everyone to spread the word about adopting a cat or kitten from the shelter.”