Edmonton Humane Society runs out of room for cats

TheEdmonton Humane Society can't take in any more cats.

With179 cats and 250 kittens, thekennels are beyond full.

Overcrowding,which is stressful for the cats and puts them at a higher risk of contracting diseases, has become such an problem that healthy stray and owner-surrendered cats are being turned away, said Mandy Crawford,the shelter's acting director of animal health.

"This was our only solution, unfortunately, to get us to a healthy levelintheshelter," Crawford said.

The humane society can comfortably accommodateabout 350 cats.

"Areas thatwe would normally have dogs in, we're putting cats in," Crawford said.

It's currently"kitten season," which is exacerbating the situation.

"When mother cats give birth, they can have up to 10 kittens per litter," Crawford said. "So if on a day we get in five cats with litters of 10, that's 50 kittens we've just gotten in the door."

About 45 cats and kittens were adopted last week. But the shelter has already filled up again.

Crawford said the turnover is typically fast. The cat that has stayed the longestright now has been there for 116 days.

This overpopulation problem happens every year.

"People need to spay and neuter their pets, that's the big solution here," Crawford said. "If we don't see litters of kittens coming in, then our problem will be solved."

The humane society spays and neuters cats before adopting them out.

The humane society is asking people who find healthy cats roaming in the community to leave them be. Research shows that will increase the likelihood they'll be reunited with their owners.

The humane society will continue to acceptstray cats with urgent health problemsfrom outside city limits, but urges people to call ahead before bringing them in. Cats found within city limits can be taken to the Animal Care and Control Centre.

roberta.bell@cbc.ca

@roberta__bell