Humane Society Seeking Locations to Hold Cat Adoption Days

It's raining cats and dogs! The Westchester Shore Humane Society in Harrison is currently overcrowded, and in need of assistance in adoptions and foster home placements. 

The humane society, a no-kill shelter, is severly overcrowded at the moment, especially with cats and kittens.

"That's the result of the unfortunate reality of people leaving their cats behind when they move. Many times these cats are not spayed or neutered, which means over breeding," said Dana Rocco, manager of the Westchester Shore Humane Society.

The humane society is looking for new off-site adoption locations, such as schools, senior centers, corporate responsability drives and pet stores to hold cat adoption days.

"If you invite us, we will come," says the humane society Web site. 

They're not just overcrowded with felines though. Rocco said that just two weeks ago the humane society received an influx of several small dogs of mixed breeds.

Many of the excess kittens are going to volunteer foster homes for the time-being.

"For a kitten to be adopted, it must be at least eight weeks old, and many times we take in kittens only five or six weeks old. In those cases, we feel its better for the underage kittens to spend time, from a few days to several weeks, in a foster home rather than the shelter," Rocco said. "This way, they are given more direct human attention; they get used to a home setting, and are able to grow older in a bit more space prior to the adoption phase. "

In order to provide a foster home for the Westchester Shore Humane Society, the requirements are simple: a clean, separate room for the kittens to be kept away from any other pets the foster family may have, and to utilize the cages, food, and support that Westchester Shore provides.

"Not surprisingly, most foster home families choose to adopt rather than returning their kitten to the shelter. This is bound to happen, since people easily grow attached, but actually, those who frequently foster kittens on a regular turn over basis work out the best," Rocco said.

To adopt from the Westchester Shore Humane Society, the process requires the potential adopter to fill out a questionnaire, so that shelter staff can get an idea of the type of home the cat or dog will be going to.

"Its important to get the whole family involved," Rocco adds, "We encourage everyone to take part in choosing the pet, because, in nearly every case I've seen, there develops such a strong emotional bond."

The Westchester Shore Humane Society can be reached at 914-835-3332 between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day except holidays, including New Year's Day.