GILROY
–
”
Kitty season
”
is in full swing. From spring until fall each year, animal
shelters are inundated with litters of unwanted kittens.
GILROY – “Kitty season” is in full swing. From spring until fall each year, animal shelters are inundated with litters of unwanted kittens.
At local pet stored, kitty season hits hard, too. Our Pet Shop Owner Andrea Bertero says numerous cats are brought to the store by people who can no longer care for them. Sometimes, the store can hold them and give them veterinary treatment until someone chooses to adopt them and take them home. She would prefer, however, that people take unwanted animals to local shelters or rescue groups.
“It’s been a major problem because we’ve even had to turn so many people away,” Bertero said. “If we took all the kittens that people wanted to dump here, we’d probably have 500 kittens.”
Two weeks ago, someone left a cardboard box, taped shut with two cats and seven kittens inside it, at the rarely-used rear entrance to Our Pet Shop, at 715 First St.
“We’d just prefer that people treat them humanely,” Bertero said. “They don’t deserve to be dumped in a box in the hot sun.”
Those at the Humane Society Silicon Valley – which takes in unwanted pets or feral animals from Santa Clara County – would agree.
“We would encourage people to bring any cat or kittens that they find down to the Humane Society,” said Laura Fulda, spokeswoman.
The Humane Society, at 2530 Lafayette St. in Santa Clara, takes in domestic or feral animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Animal-friendly cardboard boxes are available if people do not have metal cages in which to place cats and dogs, Fulda said.
“I think it’s helpful for people to know that there is a place for them to bring (cats) because you don’t want them out on the street with no food and they’re more susceptible to foul play,” Fulda said. “During the busy season, which is right now, we can get as many as 100 cats and kittens a day brought to the shelter.”
Last kitten season, the Humane Society Silicon Valley took in 1,600 cats and kittens in the month of August alone.
Although the shelter has a foster care program and kits for caring for kittens too young to be adopted, not all the animals are placed in a loving home. Last year, 50,000 animals were euthanized in the Bay Area.
“The biggest thing, I think, is people need to get their pets fixed,” Bertero said.
With no shelter easily accessible to Gilroyans – the San Martin Animal Shelter serves unincorporated areas of the county – Bertero said she has begun meeting with a Gilroy-based cat rescue to set up an adoption center at Our Pet Shop.
The store currently has about 10 cats and kittens available for adoption, either from drop-offs or the San Martin shelter. Petco hosts adoption fairs twice a month, but a manager at the store said people have not been dropping off animals there.
Lori Stuenkel covers education for The Dispatch. She can be reached at 847-7158 or ls*******@************ch.com.
