How much is that adorable cat in the window, you ask? Free! With hundreds of cats crowding the Troutdale shelter, the county plans to temporarily eliminate adoption fees for mature cats (over one year old). The “Certified Pre-Owned Cats” campaign aims to place as many cats in homes as possible in the upcoming summer months.
During the spring and summer, the animal shelter receives approximately 600-700 cats each month, forcing the shelter over capacity. Over the July 4th weekend alone, the shelter took in 88 cats.
“People naturally gravitate towards sweet and tiny kittens while perfectly wonderful mature cats languish, waiting for a forever home,” Shelter Manager John Rowton said. “We would never say that kittens aren’t cute and cuddly, but we think that Certified Pre-Owned Cats make just as good companions as cats raised from kittens.”
All that is required to bring home your furry new friend is the purchase of a one-year registration fee and an optional donation. All donations will be used to care for animals in the shelter. Registration fees for cats begin at $8, and you can pre-pay your cat's registration for up to three years.
Besides having no adoption fees, all Certified Pre-Owned Cats adopted from the shelter also come with a free “multi-point inspection.” Before they go home with you, each cat has already received a complete health exam, all their current vaccinations and a microchip, and have also been spayed or neutered.
For more information such as shelter hours and to view adoptable pets, visit Animal Services’ website, www.multcopets.org, follow them on twitter (@MultCoPets) or find them on Facebook.