It’s raining cats

Talk about it

The summer season can mean only one thing in the feline world – new litters of kittens. And new litters can mean anything from a single kitten to up to 10 or 11 of them. If you do the simple math, that calculates into a tremendous population growth over the period of just a few months.

Given the fact that there are still an alarming number of cats in Carlton County who have not been spayed or neutered, that population explosion often leads, sadly, to large numbers of unwanted pets. That’s just what the Friends of Animals (FOA) shelter has been experiencing in recent weeks – to the tune of some 35 intakes already this month.

“Though the Department of Health considers a litter of kittens to be just a single intake,” explained Interim Shelter Director Karen Brummer, “what we are experiencing right now is cats coming in

multiples.”

Translated into actual numbers, that means the shelter is currently housing some 73 individual cats, which maximizes the space available.

“We are taking in cats faster than we are able to find adoptive homes for them,” said Brummer. “We are literally bursting at the seams.”

She said one cat recently placed at the shelter gave birth to five kittens after she got there and another pair of very small kittens was found in a box in a parking lot in the rain a couple of days ago.

The stories go on and on, but what the FOA shelter board is proposing to do in order to help remediate the immediate situation is make it easier to adopt the cats that are already there. Brummer said the normal adoption fee for cats and kittens is $70. However, the cost of adopting an adult cat will temporarily be lowered to $25, and the cost of adopting a kitten will be decreased to $50. Brummer added that the shelter is willing to waive the entire adoption fee for senior cats if they can be suitably placed in “loving, forever homes.” All cats adopted will be vaccinated, spayed or neutered and in good health.

Regrettably, the overpopulation of pets – particularly cats – is neither a recent or unfamiliar phenomenon. Until pet owners begin to take their role responsibly and prevent unwanted litters of kittens through spaying or neutering, the homeless crisis will not go away. For now, at least, let’s hope there are those of you out there who would be willing to open home and heart to a cat or kitten. It could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

For more information, contact the shelter at

218-879-1655, or stop by any weekday between the hours of noon and 4 p.m.

Tags: opinion, editorials