photo by Brie Cohen

Volunteer Cathy Sprunt cleans the kitten cages at the animal shelter Tuesday as kittens play in all of the cages near her. The shelter is crowded with kittens that were found stranded around the area. There is not an empty kitten kennel at the shelter.

‘We are full to bursting already’

The Humane Society is flooded with kittens

By Geri McShane | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Humane Society of Freeborn County needs to make room in its cat cages for felines that are found outside as the weather grows colder.

“We are full to bursting already,” said Director Christa Stieler.

For that reason, the Humane Society is, for the time being, dropping its cat adoption fees. The fee for adult cats and altered kittens will now be $65 and the fee for unaltered kittens will be $30.

“This is much, much less than we have spent on just their vet care,” Stieler said.

All Humane Society cats receive rabies and distemper/feline leukemia combo vaccinations. They are tested for feline leukemia and vet checked. Adults are spayed or neutered. All are treated with Frontline monthly.

There are 27 cats available for adoption at the Albert Lea Animal Shelter and many more in foster care.

“They are all wonderful, loving kitties who deserve to have a home and someone to love,” Stieler said. “Please consider making one or more part of your family. You’ll not only be saving the kitty you bring home, but also the kitties who are able to come in from the cold because we have room.”

Last weekend, the local Humane Society sent 14 cats to Camp Companion in Rochester, another animal rescue agency with a good track record of finding homes for cats, Stieler said.

The Humane Society has also begun to enforce its surrender fee of $20 when people bring animals to the shelter, Stieler said. This only covers a fraction of what it costs to care for these animals, she added.

The Humane Society is now running the Albert Lea Animal Shelter on a monthly basis. The Humane Society staffs the shelter, cares for the animals and cleans. The city provides the building and pays utilities. Both parties continue to negotiate in hopes of coming to a long-term lease agreement.

A former Albert Lea resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered the Humane Society a grant of $150,000 to help build an addition onto the animal shelter. This amount will cover the structure itself, but the Humane Society needs to raise enough money in donations to furnish and complete the interior.

The Humane Society has begun construction of dog runs at the site.

These are just a few of the cats at the shelter. More, including those in foster care, can be found at PetFinder.com.

• Cuddles — male, neutered, up to date on shots. White with black spots.  Owner surrender. Friendly.

• Kittens — many colors, between 6 and 12 weeks old. All owner surrenders.

• Kirby – male, neutered, declawed, up-to-date on shots. White with gray tiger stripes. Owner surrender. Very nice guy.

• Oreo – male, neutered, up to date on shots. Black and white spots.  Found in Conger. Very loving and likes to be talked to and petted. Loves everybody.

• Speedy — female, white with black spots.

• Lucy — female, spayed and declawed. Owner surrender. Tortoiseshell.  She is a big girl and is friendly.

• Oprah — female, black. Found in Geneva. Friendly and pretty.

• Richard — black male, un-neutered.  Found on Grand.  Wearing flea collar. Very, very friendly and nice guy.

• Fat Louie — male, declawed, dark gray. Very pretty. Shy. Owner surrender.

• Rouge — Female, Calico/tabby mix.  Very unusual coloring.  Found by train depot with her 4 little orange kittens. She is very nice.

• Moo-Moo — White cat with black spots.  Male, neutered wearing a collar.  Found in Frank Hall Park.  Very friendly.

Mother cats and kittens. Mothers are one tortoiseshell and two tabbies and babies are various colors.

The shelter is located in Frank Hall Park. Hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and from noon to 5 p.m. Friday.

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