By Katherine Svenkeson

Humane Society facing cat conundrum

Oct 4, 2016 | 5:00 PM

Battleford’s Humane Society is struggling with an overload of fur balls.

The animal shelter is currently home to 82 cats, roughly double its capacity. According to Michelle Spark, executive director at the Battleford’s Humane Society, the shelter can hold around 40 cats comfortably.

Twenty-two cats came to the shelter last month and only 10 were adopted, Spark said.

With not enough room for all of them, the cages have become crowded. Cages meant for single animals are now holding two to six. Spark said the over capacity is taking a toll on all the animals in their care.

“They’re not getting the quality of care they need. We don’t have time to spend time with all of them, so they’re not getting all the cuddles that they need,” Spark said. “The staff is feeling like they really have to rush through everything they do in a day because there’s so many animals to look after. And that’s not fair to the animal, and it’s not fair to the staff.”

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The cap on cats is so high the shelter started turning away animals.

“We’ve been turning away all surrenders, we’ve been turning away everything from out of town because I have to take in whatever is in town so I have to have room for them,” Spark said. “We’re turning away lots.”

Right now the only cats being accepted are strays from North Battleford and Battleford.

The Battleford Humane Society is a “low kill” shelter, meaning unless the animal is aggressive or medically untreatable it will not be euthanized. The shelter hasn’t put down animals for space in over three years.

In efforts to find homes for the feline friends, the shelter is offering a cat sale from Oct. 12 to Oct 15. During that time all cats will be $50 — a decrease from the regular $150. During the sale, hours will also be extended until 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Adoption fees include spaying/neutering, micro-chipping, first vaccination, a free vet visit within the first two weeks at Lakeland Vet Clinic, 30 day pet insurance which covers up to $750 in vet bills and lifetime support from the Battleford’s Humane Society.

Spark said they had the same kind of sale last year in October and adopted out 71 cats. This year she hopes to have them all adopted.

“We need to bring our numbers down, we need to get the animals out and hope for the best,” she said.

You can get a preview of any of the animals available for adoption on the Battleford Humane Society’s website, or have a look at them in person at 751 114th St.

Katherine.svenkeson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ksvenkeson