Baltimore Animal Shelters Waive Cat Adoption Fee Throughout June

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- If you've ever wanted to get a cat or kitten, now is the time. Baltimore-area animal shelters are offering free adoptions during the month of June.

Ron Matz reports the "Baltimore 500" is all about saving lives.

Zorro needs a new home and, thanks to the "Baltimore 500," he may have one soon. The annual campaign allows you to adopt a cat or kitten for free in June, thanks to the Maryland SPCA and the Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance.

"The `Baltimore 500' is an event where an alliance of shelters get together. In June, we adopt out cats and kittens with no adoption fee. We have the Maryland SPCA, BARCS, The Baltimore Humane Society and we have Baltimore County Animal Services joining us, too," said MDSPCA Executive Director Aileen Gabbey. "Summertime is tough for area shelters. A lot of unwanted cats and kittens come to our doorstep so this is a great way to do something fun and find homes and save lives."

All of the Baltimore-area shelters have plenty of cats and kittens.

"It's really an important time of the year to find homes for the cats and kittens in the Baltimore community. This is kitten season so it's important we find homes for a lot of the kittens and cats coming in to the shelter," said Debra Rahl, BARCS. "At BARCS, we have well over 100 cats and kittens for adoption so we welcome people to come down to look through our shelter."

"We see adult cats by the thousands in our shelters in Baltimore. They're all looking for a great home and they are fantastic pets," said Jen Swanson, Baltimore Humane Society.

The Cat Hospital at Towson will provide free wellness exams for your new friend.

"We are offering free wellness exams at the Cat Hospital at Towson to every cat adopted in June through the Baltimore 500. We are trying to promote the life-long care of your cat," said Tammy Passaro, Cat Hospital at Towson.

The "Baltimore 500" has been a huge success. Last June, 665 cats and kittens like Zorro found new homes.

"We've been doing consistently over 500 for the Junes that we've done this. Right now, we are over 360 so we're well on the way to the 500," Gabbey said.

June is National Adopt a Cat Month. For more information, click here.