From now through the end of July, northern California-based Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is offering free cat adoptions of shelter cats 8 years of age or older.
The San Mateo, Calif., shelter said the two-month promotion is designed to avoid having its adoption-ready older cats become overshadowed by the annual wave of kittens arriving at the shelter during “kitten season” in the spring and summer.
Adult cats passed over for adoption can remain caged for months, and those with medical conditions are sometimes euthanized because of little available space. Despite this though, some animal lovers are against free adoptions. They say that animals adopted to the public at no cost aren’t properly valued, and people with bad intentions will seize the opportunity to get cats for free.
However, the PHS/SPCA says that all prospective cat adopters are screened by shelter staff.
“People with bad intentions will simply not spend the time we require for our adoption process,” said Scott Delucchi shelter spokesman. “I know we’ll have to answer to some members of the public, and possibly even some of our own volunteers who question the promotion, but we are clear: This is good for animals and will mean we are able to place more into homes this spring and summer.”
All adult cats adopted out by the shelter come with free spay/neuter surgery, a license, microchip identification, a health exam and a post-adoption health assuredness plan.
The PHS/SPCA is open seven days a week for cat adoptions. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
The shelter said it’s currently housing about 14 cats who are at least 8 years old. For more information, call (650) 340-8200, or click here.