The Wake County Animal Center is launching a cat adoption promotion during National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, coinciding with kitten season, a peak time for shelters. The center is urging the community to adopt, foster, or support cats and kittens in need.
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Wake County Commissioner Vickie Adamson noted the surge in kittens needing care across the country. "This time of year, animal shelters experience a sharp rise in kittens needing care, temporary placement and permanent homes," she said. The center is currently seeing an increase in kittens, highlighting the urgent need for adoptions.
Throughout June, all cats older than six months can be adopted for a fee of just $5. Presently, the center has 10 cats and 19 kittens available for adoption, in addition to 35 cats and 205 kittens in foster care. Only 19 cats and six kittens are ready for adoption from foster homes, as many are too young or underweight for surgery. Kittens must be at least eight weeks old and weigh a minimum of two pounds before adoption.
Every adopted cat or kitten will go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Each summer, the Animal Center facilitates over 500 kitten adoptions as they meet the age and weight requirements.
Residents often find litters of kittens outdoors and may feel compelled to rescue them. However, bringing them into shelters may not always be necessary. Many times, the mother cat is nearby, and separating them too early can harm the kittens' health and development. It is advised to observe the kittens from a distance and to only contact local animal services if the mother does not return within 6 to 8 hours or if the kittens appear sick or in danger.
The shelter is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and is located at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, near the intersection of I-440 and New Bern Avenue in Raleigh.