Overabundance of felines prompts shelter to waive adoption fee.

The Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) is in a furry flurry this summer.

“It’s a ‘cat-astrophic’ situation we have here,” KHS Development Manager Dana Lerma said. “We’re having a cat-a-palooza.”

The humane society is overflowing with cats of all sorts and KHS wants to find homes for each and every one of the clawed critters.

“We’ve filled up every kennel, every cage,” said Judy Tarabochia, KHS operations manager. “We actually have some cats that are in foster care right now because we have no place to put them here.”

The humane society is practically giving away cats who are at least 7 months old by waiving the adoption fee (typically $125) for the animals. People still have to pay the pet license and microchip fees. Kitsap County pet licenses for cats cost only $7.50 and microchips cost $25.

“I just want to find them homes. I want to get them out of here,” Tarabochia said.

Summer is typically a busy cat and kitten time for the humane society, according to Lerma, but the facility is bursting at the seams with feline friends this year. On July 1, KHS housed 70 cats and 47 kittens. Lerma said the cat craziness will last through the fall.

“It hits about mid-summer and will stay with us through the fall,” Lerma said.

She said the humane society will continue to waive the cat adoption fee “while supplies last” in order to find as many homes as possible for the felines.

“Until we start seeing some kennels open up,” Tarabochia added.

The humane society euthanized 99 cats and 17 kittens in June 2007 due to lack of space at the facility, Tarabochia said. This past June, the KHS veterinary staff euthanized 35 cats and 10 kittens. Both Tarabochia and Lerma said they hope that number continues to decrease.

“In past years when we had too many cats, we had to euthanize many of them,” Lerma said. “Our goal now is to not euthanize any adoptable animals. We have to euthanize enough animals that aren’t healthy.”

Despite waiving the adoption fee, Tarabochia said many people continue to adopt kittens younger than 7 months and pay the fee.

“It’s still difficult to find (older cats) homes even when we’re giving them away,” Tarabochia said.

She added that the humane society may not be making much money by waiving the cats’ adoption fees, but that’s not important.

“It’s not helping our budget any, but that’s OK,” Tarabochia said. “We’re just trying to find all of these cats homes.”

The humane society is so packed with cats and dogs, it cannot house all of the animals. Peninsula Pet Lodge in Olalla is home to many animals who cannot fit inside the KHS facility. Boarding kennels interested in housing overflow humane society animals may contact Tarabochia at (360) 692-6977, ext. 7132.

“If they’re willing to make a little room, they can call us,” Lerma said.