Cat Euthanization Surge at Wichita Falls Animal Services Center

During the spring animal officials typically see an increase in puppies and kittens.

But in Wichita Falls, city shelter officials say the spike has been overwhelming with cats.

And as you'll see... it's causing deadly consequences.

Officials say inside the Wichita Falls Animal Services Center is a catastrophe!

Cages full of cats and kittens and more are constantly being dropped of.

"They're coming in by the boxes. The the totes. It's dozens of kittens at a time. We

We euthanize usually three times a week. It's the worst part of our job here at Animal Services. It's hard on our staff that has to do that task," says Animal Services Administrator Katrena Mitchell.

But that task is being done more than people realize.

Last month, more than 352 cats arrived at the Animal Services Center.

And staff euthanized 314 of those animals because they were either sick or had no room for them.

Those numbers are a staggering increase over may of last year when the center received 190 cats and euthaized 169.

It's enough to make you cry but there is a push to reduce the number of deaths.

Adoptable cats here are transferred to the cat house at the Humane Society of Wichita County, which is also packed.

This shelter has nearly 50 very young kittens that are now in 10 foster homes.

"They're fostering momma's with kittens, bottle fed kittens and just baby kittens that are weaned but just do better in a home," says Teresa Sandall, the cast foster coordinator at the Humane Society of Wichita County.

The push is to keep these pets alive so they can find the perfect home but officials say that can only happen if cat owners take responsibility.

"At least get them spayed and neutered so we don't have kittens and kittens and kittens and kittens," says Mitchell.

To try an get more animals adopted the Animal Services Center will participate in National No Kill Day, which is June 11, 2012.

So, instead of euthanizing any pets they will adopt them out all day, as well as on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

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