June is officially National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month—a reminder that not all cats get their nine lives. While more and more efforts have been made to help control animal overpopulation, there are still far more kittens born in the U.S. than there are people who want to adopt them. 

Many end up in animal shelters across the country, and on average, seven out of every ten shelter cats in our country will be euthanized. 

That’s not surprising when you do the math: a non-spayed female can have one to eight kittens per litter and two to three litters per year. This means a single pair of cats and their kittens can potentially produce over 400,000 offspring in just seven years.

With those daunting statistics in mind, and kitten season in full swing, it’s time to consider a furry new feline addition for your home.

There are currently nine adorable kittens and one cute adult cat looking for their “fur-ever” home at the Greenville Animal Shelter, says Kristi Sexton, one of the animal control officers at the local city/county shelter.

The adoption fee of $85 is a bargain when you break it down.

“The fee not only covers spaying and neutering—if they are too young to have had the surgery when adopted, you get a certificate that will cover that when they are of age— but they also get a rabies shot, a combo shot and a check-up with the vet,” Sexton explains. “The spay/neuter surgery by itself would often cost a lot more than that, so it is a great deal.”

All animals adopted from the Greenville Shelter have either already been spayed or neutered, or go out with these certificates entitling their new families to have the surgery done at no additional charge when the pets are of age.

Following up to have the spay/neuter surgery done is very important to help prevent more unplanned and unwanted litters of kittens being born.

And spaying and neutering is beneficial to both the felines and their humans, says Kandys Killough, acting president of the Butler County Humane Society, which underwrites the spay/neuter surgery of all shelter animals being adopted.

“No more going into heat, roaming around, fighting—tomcats can detect the scent of a female in heat from as much as five miles away,” Killough says.

“Also spaying and neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancer and other diseases developing in your pet and they typically live longer, healthier lives.”

There are times when there is an overflow of felines at the shelter, including orphaned kittens who need bottle feeding. Feline lovers who agree to be foster parents can care for these kittens until they are old enough to be adopted out, helping to save them from possibly being euthanized. There are several BCHS members who currently foster kittens and puppies when the shelter has that need.

And if you can’t adopt a shelter cat or serve as a foster pet parent, but want to help, Killough encourages posting on social media to remind your friends that there are homeless felines in need of good homes in June—and every month of the year.

“Adults can also share with their kids, grandkids and nieces and nephews about why animal adoption in general is important, and why it’s a good thing to choose to adopt shelter and rescue animals,” Killough says. “These animals need good homes and they can add so much to our lives.”

Visit the Greenville Animal Shelter, located at 1310 East Commerce St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  You may want to phone the shelter at 382-7806 before making a special trip in case the officers are out on a call.