Take me home

With 63 cats in residence, the Humane Society of Douglas County has felines with the size, color and personality to match just about any home. And during the month of September, they’re on sale. Cats can be adopted for $25; kittens for $50.

There are kittens of many colors and stages of fluffiness. Monday, they leaped onto the bars and batted playfully at anyone who came within reach. At the end of the catwalk was Charlie, a mostly white cat with a loud voice and a dark marking along its upper lip that looks like a mustache.

Sheila, a feisty tortie who has grown to be very friendly, has been waiting at the shelter since January. Roxy, a gentle white and gray cat, came to the shelter a month later. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, each of the cats gets held and petted daily. But, said shelter manager Sheila Keup, what they need are homes of their own.

“The sooner they’re in a home, the better for them,” she said.

In a group enclosure sits Dude, a fluffy white cat with orange markings and yellow eyes. The laid-back feline was owned by a family with teenage boys.

“He’s been goofy since he got here,” Keup said. Dude walks right up to anyone for a petting but the cat hates to go back in the cage.

Two cat enclosures over is Dotty, a young white cat with black markings. Less than a year old, the feline likes to trade playful swipes with a trio of kittens in the cage next door. But the cat’s “play” noises sound more like a growl, causing visitors to do a double-take.

New cats are brought in on a nearly daily basis.

“They’re coming from all over Douglas County,” Keup said, and space is at a premium. Some are strays rounded up before the cold weather hits. Others were surrendered by loving families before they moved. Homeowners have found new litters in a garage or under a porch. The influx of fall felines has left the humane society with a problem.

“We need homes now,” said Jean Kioski, humane society board secretary.

The cat sale will continue through Sept. 30. Each animal is spayed or neutered, current on shots, dewormed, feline leukemia tested and vet checked.

“We do have a few that are declawed,” Keup said.

The Humane Society of Douglas County is always in need of volunteers, as well. If people can’t adopt a cat or volunteer, but still want to help, the shelter is always in need of animal care items. The most needed items are cat litter, kitten food, cat food, bleach, paper towels, dish soap and laundry soap.

The shelter at 3302 S. Humane Society Road is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week. It is also open from 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, call (715) 398-6784, e-mail hsdc_animals@hotmail.com or look up the website at www.hsdcpets.com.

Tags: news, money, food, animals