Saskatoon SPCA's Cat-ada 150 campaign aims to adopt out 150 cats

Saskatoon's SPCA is celebrating Canada's 150th birthday this year by aiming to find homes for 150 cats and kittens by the end of July.

During the "Cat-ada 150" campaign, cats older than six months are free to adopt, and adoption fees for kittens are reduced to $150.

There's no shortage of cats available for adoption, said Cathy Brin, public relations co-ordinator for the Saskatoon SPCA — a situation she said is only too common here and around the country.

"I don't think people place the same value on cats as they do on dogs in our community," she said.

"It's much more common for us to see stray cats arriving at the shelter that aren't reunited with their owners. It's very unlikely that once a cat shows up at the shelter, it's going to be picked up by its owner."

A lack of spaying and neutering leads to overpopulation and kitten season is in full swing, said Brin. There are 60 kittens in foster care — a record number — almost all of whom have arrived at the SPCA since May 25.

"That gives you an idea of just how many babies are arriving at the shelter in a span of three or four weeks, just so many little guys," she said.

They'll stay in foster care until they're nine weeks old and ready for adoption.

"There's going to be lots of kittens making their way back into the shelter soon," she said.

Adoption fees include spaying or neutering, vaccinations and microchip.