Carolyn Grant
The East Kootenay Branch of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is hoping you will 'fall for kittens' next week.
BCSPCA branches across the province are offering a special deal on kittens, trying to reduce a surplus before winter.
The Fall for Kittens event runs from Monday, Nov. 26 until Sunday, Dec. 9. During that time, anyone wishing to give a kitten a home will receive 50 per cent off all adoption fees. That applies to all feline adoptions.
"The BC SPCA takes in more than 17,000 homeless cats and kittens each year and right now our shelters are filled to capacity," said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA. "Normally at this time of year the number of abandoned and surrendered kittens lessens, but the kittens just keep coming this year and we are really overwhelmed with the number of homeless kittens and cats who need loving homes."
Chortyk says that there are currently 936 adult cats and 1,146 kittens in SPCA facilities across the province needing good homes.
A cat or kitten adopted from the SPCA is already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, has been treated for parasites, has an identification tattoo or microchip, and has received a full medical check up.
As an added bonus all cats and kittens are also covered by six weeks pet insurance courtesy of Petsecure to ensure their health during the transition to a new home.
According to Chortyk the average cost to the SPCA to care for a cat during its stay is $784. Even regular adoption fees are far less than that.
However, as much as the SPCA wants to find homes for these kitties, pet adoption is a serious commitment and they do want to make sure the cat is going to the right home.
The usual adoption application and procedures will apply.
For more details on the Fall for Kittens promotion, visit your local SPCA branch or visit spca.bc.ca to view all adoptable animals and for information on SPCA locations across B.C.
The East Kootenay SPCA is located at 3339 Highway 3 & 95 in Cranbrook. Call (250) 426-6751 or email eastkootenay@spca.bc.ca