breaking news

Cat Giveaway at Animal Shelter

By: Mark Hiller

Updated: November 30, 2012

Plains Township, Luzerne County -- More than 200 cats currently housed at the Luzerne County SPCA don't have a forever home. It's enough to make a cat lover cry and even make admitted dog lover Beverly Evans of Dunmore upset. "I feel bad for the cats because there are so many stray ones." The hundreds of cats are just a small amount of those that arrived at the shelter in 2012. "We had about 3,400 come in this year alone," said Luzerne County SPCA Development Director Peggy Nork. "People don't spay and neuter. That's the key. If you get an animal you need to be responsible."

Ms. Nork says most adult cats at the shelter are between 1 and 3-years-old. There are also those like Leelee, a 6-year-old female and the shelter's longest current cat resident dating back to August 2011. "Once they get in the doors we do everything we can to get them adopted." That's why the Luzerne County SPCA is expanding its "Free to a Really Good Home Program". It ran earlier this year but will now include the month of December. Getting a cat at the shelter will cost you absolutely nothing. "It will have all of its shots, ready to go," said Ms. Nork. One of the cats up for a free adoption in December is an 8-year-old neutered male named Fluffernutter. He was brought to the shelter in July after he was found thrown from a car.

Luzerne County SPCA volunteer Kristen Digwood of Mountain Top works closely with cats like Fluffernutter. She owns a 14-year-old cat named Jake at home. "We lost one recently so he needs a buddy so we're looking around." She says providing a cat a forever home has its rewards. "I think when you adopt cats it seems like they don't forget and they're always grateful," said Ms. Digwood. Ms. Evans added, "I think if people like cats I think they should come and get one."

You don't need to be from Luzerne County to adopt from the Luzerne County SPCA. You do need to provide proof of home ownership or a letter from your landlord as well as a veterinarian reference and personal references. Once you do that and fill out the application, you should find out in a few hours if you'll have a furry new friend for free. You can contact the Luzerne County SPCA at 570-825-4111 or by logging onto http://www.spcaluzernecounty.org.