Keeping tabs on Tabby – City shelter full of cats

These may be the dogs days of summer, but on Philadelphia streets, now is the season of cats. 

Sue Cosby, executive director of the Philly Animal Care and Control Team, says the agency has been flooded with incoming animals, especially kittens.

“As an example, in the last two weeks we’ve brought in over a thousand cats,” she said. “There were three days where 94 cats came in each day in a row.” A kitten boom is normal this time of year, but this summer’s is a big one, she said.

While the number of adoptions is rising, the seasonal influx has pushed the North Philly facility beyond its capacity of 600 animals. Cosby, along with other site employees, temporarily house kittens in their offices to help make room for incoming animals.

By contrast, in February, Cosby said, “it’s unlikely we’d have a kitten for you.”

The summer increase has ACCT Philly putting the word out for anyone interested in adopting or foster parenting any of their animals. The number of animal adoptions is up while euthanizations are on the decline.

“When it comes to cats, very often a lot of the problems associated with owning cats come down to whether that cat is spayed or neutered,” Cosby explained.

The cost of these procedures can pose a hardship for pet owners. ACCT Philly hosted a spay/neuter clinic this month in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School to provide those services at a reduced fee.

“While we are not a public clinic, we encourage animal owners to look on our website for spay/neuter clinics in the area,” Cosby said, citing the PSPCA and PAWS as local providers.

Anyone interested in adopting or foster parenting the animals should contact the shelter at ACCTPhilly.org.