PAWS sees explosion in cat population

WASHINGTON — There has been an explosion in the area kitten population this spring and summer.

According to Amber Talbot, director of PAWS & More animal shelter in Washington, they took in 129 cats and kittens between May 5 and July 5.

In response to the population boom, PAWS is planning a “kitten shower” on Saturday and Sunday this week.

On those days, the adoption fee for all cats and kittens will be $50 or $75 for two. The regular adoption fee is $100.

“The kitten shower has been a historically successful event,” Talbot said. “It’s a great way to come out and visit the shelter and interact with cats and kittens. People may adopt or get familiar with how our foster program works.

“The goal is by offering this fun event and a way to give and an opportunity to meet these loving animals, it’s going to help get them adopted and open up more space.”

While it is typical to see a population surge in the spring and summer, Talbot said that this year has been a larger than usual surge.

“We normally see a high increase in kittens and cats in spring and summer,” she said. “This seems to be a higher rate than we’re comfortable handling.

“The volume of cats we’re seeing is overwhelming.”

She said that PAWS is asking people to hold off on bringing cats to the shelter if they can.

“If it’s not an emergency, we’re asking people to hold onto those cats, and we’ll help them get spayed or neutered,” Talbot said. “That way, we won’t have as many unwanted litters happening everywhere.”

PAWS is offering a $10 cat spay/neuter program through the rest of the summer.

Talbot said people can contact PAWS for more information about helping control the population of cat colonies in their communities.

Last year was an abnormally slow spring and summer for PAWS.

“There were fewer strays in 2020, and I don’t really have an answer for that,” Talbot said. “I don’t know if people didn’t see the strays, or they weren’t out and about as much due to COVID.

“Now, the world is back in action, and we’re all doing our normal things again.”

She said she hopes this weekend’s event will help PAWS achieve its goal of getting animals into loving homes, as well as building community support.

“We’re looking for the support of the community to help us by fostering or adopting or working with us working with those colonies in their communities,” Talbot said.