Winnipeg Humane Society seeks homes for 'astronomical' number of cats and kittens
Organization says it took in 573 felines last month, nearly double the number of cats in its care in June
The Winnipeg Humane Society is launching a new promotional campaign to find forever homes for pets in need after it took in "an astronomical amount of cats and kittens" last month.
The humane society took in 573 cats and kittens in July — nearly doubling the number of felines in their care compared to June.
"It's a pretty staggering number," said Kyra Loewen, full-time adoption supervisor with the Winnipeg Humane Society.
"We're at the tail end of kitten season and so we have seen an increase in the amount of cats that have come into our care," they said.
Loewen said many of the hundreds of cats come in as strays or are surrendered by owners who can no longer afford their pet's food and veterinary care. Others are abandoned in front of the shelter on Hurst Way, seized from hoarding or animal abuse situations, or simply lost.
"We're all working together to ensure that every single animal that walks through our doors is receiving the best care that they can receive prior to being either adopted or being reunited with their owners," Loewen said.
About 250 of the cats that came through the shelter's doors in July have already been adopted out, Loewen said, but hundreds more still need homes.
The Winnipeg Humane Society launched a promotional campaign on Friday, reducing adoption fees for cats and dogs in their care between Aug. 1 and Aug. 3.
Loewen said 19 animals were adopted on Friday, which is higher than usual daily adoption rates.
"Our organization as a whole is working extra hard to provide the care, so that we're able to help these animals get adopted out so that we're able to help any more of the 573 that might be coming in in August," they said.
Loewen said the "astronomical amount" of cats that came through the humane society's doors in July highlights the importance of spaying and neutering animals.
"We advocate for people to spay and neuter their pets. We think that it's very important that it's done and it can help to decrease the population of [stray] animals here in Manitoba," Loewen said.
With files from Gavin Axelrod