The Cat’s Meow, a rescue and shelter agency for cats, has reported it has taken in more kittens the first seven months of this year than they it did in all of 2009.

In the past few weeks, the shelter has taken in more than a dozen cats and kittens that were most likely abandoned, said Executive Director Michele Onorato.

Last month, they took on nine kittens that were left at the Anacortes Animal Hospital that operates the city’s pound. All the kittens appeared healthy.

A couple puppies abandoned close to the same time did not have such a fortunate fate. They were found in a box in a motel pool — both drowned.

Onorato said abandonment is illegal and low-cost spay and neuter options are available.

Many people don’t know about those options though.

Last month, Onorato was helping a woman who had three unspayed adult cats, one unneutered male cat and 16 kittens that she was asking the Cat’s Meow to take.

Another situation took Onorato to the home of an older woman who lives alone and has a large number of cats.

“Apparently her adult children moved in briefly and left their cats behind,” Onorato said. “None of them were spayed, so now there are multiple litters.”

Volunteers from the Cat’s Meow caught some of the kittens and will find permanent homes for them. Four adult females were also picked up and spayed.

“We will continue to trap there and remove any kittens and friendly cats. Ferals will be spayed/neutered and returned,” Onorato said. “We’ve also provided her with food to feed them every day, since she is living on a fixed income.”

The help the Cat’s Meow provides comes through donations. Because of the higher demand this year, Onorato is asking for additional aid.

“We are seeing a tremendous rise in the number of kittens this year, probably due to our mild winter, and we really need support from our community to be able to care for them,” she said. “We also have a full house of adult cats, and people calling every day asking us to take more, more, more.”

Money is needed to help feed and provide health care for the more than 50 cats and kittens currently in the Cat’s Meow’s care. All of the animals are tested, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and provided other health care needs that sometimes arise.

Supplies are also in high demand, including food, litter, toys and carriers.

Foster homes for kittens are needed. The kittens get the extra attention they need and it frees up space at the adoption center for adult cats.
“Foster families provide love and care and the Cat’s Meow is responsible for medical expenses,” Onorato said.

Resources

• The Cat’s Meow (803 Fourth St.; 588-9900; ; http://www.meowanacortes.org).

• Anacortes Animal Relief Fund (293-2865; ).

• WeSNIP — A mobile clinic offering low-cost and free spay/neuter in Whatcom and Skagit counties. (360-733-6549; ; wesnip.org).

• Humane Society of Skagit Valley — Low-income spay and neuter days offered first and third Tuesday of each month at the shelter at 18841 Kelleher Road in Burlington. (360-757-0445; ; http://www.skagithumane.com).

• The N.O.A.H. Center — Spay/neuter surgeries for cats for $10. (31300 Brandstrom Road, Stanwood; 360-629-7055; spay/neuter@thenoahcenter.org; http://www.thenoahcenter.org).

Read more local news in the Skagit Valley Herald and the Anacortes American, or read it online in the E-edition