April 08, 2017
Nearly 80 cats have been surrendered to a Philadelphia animal shelter due to hoarding, prompting the organization to launch an adoption campaign.
On Friday, the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia announced homes are needed for cats that have been recovered since January from three recent large-scale hoarding situations. The influx of cats has filled pushed the shelter's capacity to its limits.
To open up space, ACCT Philly is offering $10 adoption fees on selected cats until April 16 as part of the “Adopt a Less-Adoptable Feline Friend” event. There are 20 cats available for adoption, while the rest have already been successfully placed.
Since the animals came from hoarding environments, some of the cats are shy and asocial so the shelter seeks alternative or barn placement opportunities.
Through its "Working Cat Program," ACCT Philly finds homes for cats with high energy and non-health related litter box issues. The organization urges barns, warehouses, factories, breweries, churches and artist studios to consider adoption because the cats provide pest and rodent control. Those cats are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and have a waived adoption fee.
"It's a win-win for both the adopters and the cats! The adopters are provided with the rodent control they need and they provide the perfect home to a shelter cat who may not have any other options," said Tammy Miller, feline programs manager at ACCT Philly.
The program was established in 2012 and has saved the lives of more than 250 cats.
Those interested in adopting a cat should visit the shelter located at 111 West Hunting Park Avenue in the city's Feltonville section.
ACCT Philly is the region’s largest animal care and control service provider, handling approximately 23,000 animals annually.
