The Race Is On To Adopt Out 500 Cats In June

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Get your engines set for the Baltimore 500. It's not a car race, but rather a race to adopt out at least 500 cats this month.

Andrea Fujii explains why Maryland shelters say it's so important this time of year.

"Meow."  That's cat for "Take me home."

June is the most affordable month to adopt a cat from the Maryland SPCA, the Baltimore Humane Society or BARCS Animal Shelter during the Baltimore 500.

"Hopefully adopt out over 500 cats and kittens with no adoption fee attached," said Katie Flory, MSPCA.

Last year the shelters adopted out 581 cats in June and hope to beat that number this year.

"We are in kitten season and so many kittens are coming in to our shelter that no shelter has space for them," said Flory.

Storm was left at an animal hospital and workers say each one of the cats has their own sad story.

To the animal shelters, the recession is alive and well. The Baltimore Humane Society brought in one-third more animals than this time last year.

"Gas prices are up and the economy is not doing well. It's really hitting shelters hard," said Elizabeth Silber, Baltimore Humane Society.

They say now is the time to give a voice to the voiceless.

"Please come out to any one of the three shelters and look for your friend for life," said Flory.

Though there is no adoption fee in June, microchipping and licensing will cost about $30. All cats are spayed and neutered and up-to-date with vaccinations.