Looking for a new friend? So are cats at King County’s animal shelters, where officials hope to match the furry occupants with new owners as part of a nationwide campaign.
June is national Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month. King County Animal Control will host its third annual Super Pet Adopt-a-thon today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its shelter in Kent. Twenty animal-adoption groups will have adoptable pets at the location.
The event also will include dog trainers, identity microchipping of pets for a small fee, vendors of animal accessories and other animal-related organizations. In addition, proceeds from a silent auction will support the county’s Angel Fund, which provides medical care and pays veterinary expenses for abused, sick or injured animals in the county animal shelters or in designated pet foster homes.
Officials said the emphasis will be on finding homes for cats, which are housed in shelters in much larger numbers than dogs. For instance, from June to August last year, the shelters received 2,328 cats, compared to 1,289 dogs. As the same period starts this year, the shelters are reporting a dramatic increase in the number of cats waiting for a new home. That includes older cats, which might be especially appealing to prospective new owners, said Al Dams, acting manager of the county’s animal control services.
“Young animals always tug at your heartstrings, but adult cats are often a better fit for most busy households,” Dams said. “They’re mature, affectionate, respond well to training and are lower-maintenance than the average dog or kitten.”
The Kent shelter, whose service areas include Covington, Maple Valley and Black Diamond, is at 21615 64th Ave. S. It’s regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. On Thursday, the hours are noon to 6 p.m.
The county also helps coordinate off-site adoption centers. They included the Petco store in Covington (27111 167th Pl. SE.) and Reber Ranch (28606 132nd Ave. SE.).
Additional information is available at www.kingcounty.gov/pets.
Besides Kent, King County also has a shelter in Bellevue. Overall, the animal-control program serves the unincorporated areas of King County and 36 cities. The agency has operated for 36 years.
