The Habersham County Animal Shelter is overrun with cats and kittens and is running out of space to house them. Now, the shelter is temporarily slashing its already discounted adoption fees to try and move the felines into loving homes.
“Our cat population is booming right now, which is definitely out of the ordinary for this late in the year,” says Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix.
The shelter is still recovering from a recent hoarding case in which approximately 150 cats were rescued from inside a home north of Clarkesville. In addition, there’s been an increase in the number of bottle-fed kittens and nursing moms coming into the shelter.
“I think a lot of our intakes have to do with the lack of pet-friendly housing and the lack of veterinary services that were available,” says Nix. Many litters have come in from cat owners who were trying to get their pets fixed but couldn’t find appointments or afford to do it.
Two recent free clinics funded by generous grants through Planned PEThood of Duluth have helped, but not nearly enough to stop the influx of unwanted cats and surrenders in the county.
HCACC personnel are working hard to find homes for the felines. They’ve sent some into foster care and successfully rehomed others through animal rescue groups. Still, there are over 200 cats and kittens at the shelter needing homes.
“Our fosters have been a blessing – but now we are faced with the struggle of an overabundance of ‘adoptables,'” Nix says, referring to cats that are healthy, age-appropriate and fully vetted.
Adoption fees slashed
For a limited time, the shelter is offering a discount Nix calls her “out-of-town extra special special.” She’s away from the shelter for a couple of days and says, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
The shelter has been running a $55 adoption special for much of this year due to overcrowding but now, all cat and kitten adoptions are just $25. That’s an 80% savings off the normal adoption rate of $110.
Adoption fees cover spaying or neutering, vaccinations, a microchip, and one month of complimentary catastrophic insurance.
Animal shelter hours
The Habersham County Animal Shelter is open for pet adoptions Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walk-in visitors are welcome but, if possible, prospective adopters should make an appointment so workers can devote time and attention to their adoption needs. To schedule a visit or get more information, call 706-839-0195. The shelter is located behind the Habersham County Fairgrounds at 4231 Toccoa Highway in Clarkesville.
To meet some of the shelter’s current adoptables check out Now Habersham’s weekly Adopt-A-Pet feature. Each Monday we spotlight shelter animals in need of homes. To view the latest featured pets, click here.
