TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hillsboro Pet Resource Center has reached 600% capacity for cats in the shelter.
“When you have this many cats, you have to be very creative,” says department manager Chelsea Waldeck.
This shelter probably has the most feline friends ever. Waldeck said they had to fill all the kennels, offices and back rooms to house more than 300 dogs.
On Friday, the shelter saw a steady stream of adoptions.
“I was just about to leave and I was walking around the kittens and I saw this guy and I fell in love with him,” said Steven Wilson, who adopted the black female kitten. “I don’t even like cats, but I want this kitten.”
Wilson is one of the few people who would jump at the chance to adopt a child for free. He told Channel 8 that he is a military veteran and that animals help him when he’s feeling down.
“It helps with PTSD. It helps with everything,” Wilson said. “If you have a military member in need, get an animal. Go ahead and get an animal. Get a dog or a cat. It really helps.”
Waldeck of the shelter said that because of the large number of cats, there are many different breeds, sizes and ages to choose from. They also make great first pets for humans, she says.
“They require very little care. They don’t need to be groomed. They take care of themselves,” Waldeck said. “The only thing you really have to do is trim their nails once in a while and make sure to take them to the vet for their annual checkups, but other than that they’re pretty self-sufficient.”
Waldeck says there’s no good reason for a huge influx of cats, especially during October, which is a break from kitten season. They hope to hold a Halloween-themed adoption event next weekend to clear them out.
You can view adoptable pets online.
