CAMDEN — The PAWS Animal Adoption Center in Camden is grappling with a significant rise in the number of stray and surrendered cats, even as adoption rates decline.
PAWS, a no-kill shelter serving thirteen towns, has reported an unprecedented influx of stray felines. Shelter Director Meghan O’Connor revealed that the facility has taken in 146 stray cats so far this year, a figure that is just two shy of the total for all of 2020. This number does not account for cats surrendered by their owners.
O’Connor attributes the surge to several factors. “During the pandemic, many people struggled to access veterinary services, leading to unspayed and unneutered pets reproducing,” she explained. “We are now seeing situations where individuals are surrendering multiple cats at once.”
The spring and summer months, traditionally known as kitten season, have exacerbated the issue. O’Connor noted that the rise in feral cat colonies is a contributing factor. “We’ve seen groups of feral cats, sometimes numbering more than twenty, being discovered in barns or wooded areas,” she said. “These cats often find each other and reproduce, especially when outdoor temperatures rise.”
The PAWS shelter is nearing full capacity, a scenario not uncommon for this time of year. However, the current downturn in adoptions is unusual. In 2020, the shelter recorded 347 cat adoptions. This year, the number has plummeted to approximately 206.
“We’re seeing more cats coming in and fewer going out,” O’Connor noted. To address this, PAWS has implemented measures to boost adoptions, including promotional events with reduced adoption fees. Currently, they offer a “Name Your Own Adoption Price” for cats that have been at the shelter for six months or longer.
O’Connor speculated that the drop in adoptions might be due to the pandemic surge in pet adoptions leading to a saturation of households with pets. Additionally, she cited the high cost of veterinary care as a potential deterrent for prospective adopters.
To mitigate the stray cat population, O’Connor recommends spaying and neutering pets and utilizing available spay and neuter vouchers. In the PAWS coverage area, vouchers can be obtained from the Waldo County Pet Food Pantry, Waldo County Humane Society, and Pope Memorial.
For further information or to support the shelter’s efforts, contact PAWS Animal Adoption Center directly.
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