The shelter at Multnomah County Animal Services is exceeding capacity for cats this “kitten season” and is asking for the community to help.

            The easiest way any one person can help is by adopting a cat from the shelter (1700 W. Columbia River Hwy. in Troutdale). And fortunately, the shelter has already been running an adoption special throughout June that reduces the adoption expense to the cost of a license fee—just $12.

            “We really need the public to step up and adopt,’’ said Ann Potter, the shelter’s volunteer coordinator. “As with all our adoptions, we work to make the best possible match for the cat and its owner.”

            The adoption fee also include spay/neuter surgery, a rabies vaccination, a first set of shots, a health exam, a microchip and a license.

             During “kitten season” from now through early autumn, the community shelter can get as many as 50 cats a day. As the region’s only open-door shelter that accepts all stray animals, the cattery has capacity for 100 cats. But as of Thursday, June 21, the shelter was caring for 114 cats, requiring the shelter to place cats in portable cages in holding areas.

              “The need is great,” Potter said.

               Can’t adopt right now? Other ways that anybody can help include waiting, if possible, before bringing a cat to the shelter; or by being a foster owner for a cat.

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