It was all about the cats at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society’s sixth Feline Fest running Thursday, July 26, to Sunday, July 29. The yearly event is the organization’s effort to “promote” the influx of cats it typically sees during the warmer months.
“Every year we see this kind of increase in the number of cats. Mostly it’s because this is when they breed … and animals get out more often during the summer,” said Brad Shear, the group’s executive director.
Shear said the shelter has taken in an average of about 15 cats per day for a month. It’s the largest animal protection agency in the Capital District and serves as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for Albany and Rensselaer Counties.
As of Friday, July 27, 310 cats were living at the shelter and 41 had been adopted. Another 120 cats in foster care also need permanent homes. By the end of Feline Fest, 132 adoptions were made, with many cats going home in pairs.
Last year’s Feline Fest saw 85 cats and kittens find new forever homes during the four-day event. Cats older than 6 months old were free and kittens younger than that were available for a discounted price of $50. Usually, adult cats carry a $75 adoption fee and kittens are $100.
“Seventy percent of all the animals (we get) are cats so we want a way to really promote adopting them and letting people know they need homes,” said Shear.
This summer, an “unusually large” number of kittens have found their way to the society in Menands. Shear said people tend to gravitate toward kittens and younger cats so it’s important to point out that older cats need a home, too.
During Feline Fest, adoptions are available on site at the society and at three satellite locations, PetSmart stores in Glenmont and Latham and Petco in Clifton Park. The society relies heavily on volunteers to pull off the event.
During an adoption, careful steps are taken to ensure the right home is found for each cat.
“We do an interview with people and what we’re trying to do is match people up well with the cats,” said Shear. “We’ll talk to them about what they’re looking for, let them know what we know about the cat and can suggest others (if it’s not a good fit).”
On Saturday, July 28, the society hosted a full-day community event with a tag sale, a bake sale, a cookout and a raffle. Proceeds from the day benefited the society, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
For information about adoptions and for shelter hours, visit www.mohawkhumane.org or call 434-8128. The shelter is located at 3 Oakland Ave. in Menands.
