SCRAPS offering discount adoptions to curb ‘frightening’ number of homeless cats

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Agency said it took in a “frightening” number of cats over the weekend – 87 more felines in need of a new home.

SCRAPS said it takes in more than 6,000 cats each year, but most of them arrive during the summer months. Janet Dixon, the agency’s special program manager, said this year has been different.

“It’s scary how many cats are still coming in our doors,” she said in a news release. “Before Halloween, SCRAPS usually sees a decrease in our cat population, but it hasn’t slowed down at all, and we project another large influx to come in because of trick-or-treating by the end of the week.”

To cope with the problem, SCRAPS is offering cat adoptions for just $15, less than half the usual price.

The Adoption Spooktacular drive began Tuesday and will run until Saturday. It applies only to cats 6 months and older. The $15 includes spaying or neutering, a pet license, a microchip and a first round of vaccinations.

SCRAPS said the vast majority of its cats are pets but have no license or microchip and can’t be returned home. The agency said adoption fees help pay for spay and neuter services that curb feline overpopulation in the county.