MONROE - Already crowded with cats, the Green County Humane Society shelter received 51 more Friday after a Monroe woman voluntarily turned over the animals she kept at two houses.
The humane society now has about 225 cats in its care.
"Even before the rescue, (the humane society) had extremely high cat numbers, resulting in overcrowding at the shelter," humane society board Vice President Mary Jane Grenzow said.
Monroe officers were called for complaints of an odor at about 3 p.m. Friday. Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said officers were sent to two locations. One house was located in the 500 block of 26th Avenue, the other in the 1700 block of 15th Street.
"We found a large number of cats," Kelley said.
Kelley said no one lived in either house. The cats were strays that were being fed and given shelter.
According to the Monroe city assessor's office, the properties belong to Delores Marti. Kelley said no charges are expected to be filed against Marti because she voluntarily surrendered the animals.
The cats will receive veterinary care and be spayed or neutered this week, Grenzow said.
"Many (cats) are malnourished and will be kept through this week for observation," she said.
She expects the cats to be ready for adoption by the end of the week or early next week. Most of the cats are feral, Grenzow added, and must be adopted as outdoor pets.
A large influx of cats can be a financial burden for the shelter, Grenzow said, but she doesn't know how much it will cost to provide care for them.
To help reduce the number of cats at the shelter, the humane society is offering the purchase of two kittens under 1 year old for $63, or one kitten for $32. Two cats older than a year can be purchased for $15 each. The fee for senior citizens who want to adopt an older cat is waived with a donation to the shelter.
Anyone who wants to adopt a cat, or wants to donate to the shelter, can call the humane society at 325-9600.
The humane society now has about 225 cats in its care.
"Even before the rescue, (the humane society) had extremely high cat numbers, resulting in overcrowding at the shelter," humane society board Vice President Mary Jane Grenzow said.
Monroe officers were called for complaints of an odor at about 3 p.m. Friday. Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said officers were sent to two locations. One house was located in the 500 block of 26th Avenue, the other in the 1700 block of 15th Street.
"We found a large number of cats," Kelley said.
Kelley said no one lived in either house. The cats were strays that were being fed and given shelter.
According to the Monroe city assessor's office, the properties belong to Delores Marti. Kelley said no charges are expected to be filed against Marti because she voluntarily surrendered the animals.
The cats will receive veterinary care and be spayed or neutered this week, Grenzow said.
"Many (cats) are malnourished and will be kept through this week for observation," she said.
She expects the cats to be ready for adoption by the end of the week or early next week. Most of the cats are feral, Grenzow added, and must be adopted as outdoor pets.
A large influx of cats can be a financial burden for the shelter, Grenzow said, but she doesn't know how much it will cost to provide care for them.
To help reduce the number of cats at the shelter, the humane society is offering the purchase of two kittens under 1 year old for $63, or one kitten for $32. Two cats older than a year can be purchased for $15 each. The fee for senior citizens who want to adopt an older cat is waived with a donation to the shelter.
Anyone who wants to adopt a cat, or wants to donate to the shelter, can call the humane society at 325-9600.