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Cat Overpopulation Overwhelms Jacksonville Humane Society
3 Dec
Summary
- Jacksonville Humane Society is experiencing record animal intakes this year.
- A surge in community cats, unspayed and unneutered, is the primary driver.
- The shelter urges adoptions, fostering, and donations to manage the crisis.
The Jacksonville Humane Society is confronting an unprecedented influx of animals, with over 10,000 intakes expected by year's end—the highest tally since 2005. This overwhelming number is primarily due to an increase in community cats, which are outdoor, free-roaming felines that contribute to a significant rise in kitten populations when not spayed or neutered.
The shelter is working to manage its capacity, focusing on immediate adoptions for cats and kittens. Concurrently, a long-term strategy is in place to address the root cause by increasing spay and neuter services for community cats, aiming to prevent future population booms.
Beyond cats, the Humane Society also reminds the public about dogs and puppies awaiting homes. For those unable to adopt, opportunities to help include fostering, volunteering, or making a financial contribution, especially as Giving Tuesday approaches, to support the care of current residents.
