Oshkosh Area Humane Society inundated with surrendered cats - WITI

OSHKOSH ? An Oshkosh area shelter has over 300 cats in a building that?s mean for only 100. The high number of animals is putting a strain on not only the shelter itself, but on the people who work there as well.

With more than three times the cats it was built handle, the Oshkosh Area Humane Society is struggling to find room.

Executive Director Joni Geiger says the overflow is due to a high number of people surrendering pets they can no longer afford.

She says other area shelters have a similar problem and says some have stopped accepting cats, but she won?t do that.

The shelter does not euthanize for space and will not even in this situation, so staff members work around the clock, some 60 hours a week to make sure the cats are cared for.

?Everybody here cares so much about animals.? This is so hard for us, because we want to help them,? Geiger said.

However, Geiger said the shelter cannot handle this alone.

?This is not a shelter problem.? This is a community problem and the community has to be part of the solution,? Geiger said.

To prove that cats aren?t a dime a dozen, the Oshkosh Area Humane Society will be waiving the cat adoption fee and instead giving people ten cents to take a cat home.

The shelter needs people like Ann Bradley to step forward and adopt or at least foster a kitty. 100 are already in foster care.

?It makes you sad, because you wish they could find homes. There just don?t seem to be enough to go around,? Bradley said.

Geiger said she hopes community members open up their heart and, if possible, homes, stepping forward like they have in the past.

?If the community doesn?t step up, I don?t know what we?ll do,? Geiger said.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Oshkosh Area Humane Society and the available cats.

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