Chicago’s Commission on Animal Care and Control has seen a jump in the number of cats brought to its shelter, and are asking the public to help find homes for the animals.
Twenty-five percent more cats were impounded between April 1 and May 19 compared to the same time-frame in 2013, said a Animal Care and Control spokesman.
The sudden increase presents a few challenges, like not having enough cages and having too many animals for veterinarians to examine.
However, officials said they are also seeing an increase in cat adoptions, transfers and returns to owners — all efforts that help avoid euthanization. About 14 percent of felines taken in this year have been euthanized or passed away in the shelter while receiving treatment, a figure that is similar to last year’s number, officials said.
“We want to work hard to rescue as many of these animals as possible,” said spokesman Brad Powers.
Last year, the department saw a steady flow of cats coming in each month, totaling 1,159 between April 1 and May 19. This year, the figures dropped between January and March, but dramatically picked up in April and May, totaling 1,438.
The extreme weather may be a factor for the uptick, Powers added. People may not have been venturing outside in the cold months and spotting the cats. Also, the colder weather may have encouraged people to wait until the warmer months to drop off their felines.
The department, which receives about 20,000 animals per year, sends them to more than 150 licensed and vetted transfer organizations in hopes they will be adopted. Volunteers also reach out to rescue organizations, sometimes through Facebook.
Animal control officials are not seeing the same impoundment trend with dogs. In fact, there has been a slight decline in canine impoundments so far this year, Powers said.
Anyone interested in adopting a cat can come to the department’s facility at 2741 S. Western Ave. any day between noon and 7 p.m.