MANSFIELD — The Humane Society of Richland County is expecting a surplus of cats but a dip in the amount of felines adopted as summer approaches.
As kittens are given away free to those who want a new pet, the cats at the Humane Society typically get overlooked, said Missy Houghton, director of the adoption and humane agent at the animal care and rescue facility.
“Our cat adoptions drop off (in the summer),” Houghton said. “We think it’s because that’s usually when kitten season is. It’s really unfortunate for us because we get a huge influx of cats, but then everyone is giving them away for free. People don’t want to pay an adoption fee, even though they are essentially getting a pet for free and getting a discount on everything that is done medically.
“Either way they are saving a cat, which is great. They just need to understand good ownership isn’t just a free pet.”
The services the adoption fee covers at the Humane Society include: spaying or neutering, appropriate vaccinations, worming treatments, flea prevention for a month, one year’s worth of rabies vaccination and optional micro-chipping. These services can cost $200-300 at animal clinics and veterinarians’ offices, Houghton said.
The Richland County Humane Society is hosting a 5K Cat Walk at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 30 to help highlight the cats available at their shelter. While no cats will be at the race, Houghton said the event helps bring a focus to the cats who need more adoption attention during this season.
Registration can be completed at www.OhioRaceDay.com. There is a cost to register and the registration deadline is 8 p.m.
All proceeds will go towards the shelter and the animals for which they care.
