PINE GROVE - Cats and kittens are no longer being accepted at the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA for now.
It's not because they don't want to take them - they just don't have the space.
"Because we are a no-kill facility, we won't euthanize to make space," Jessica Bettinger, shelter manager, said Thursday.
She admitted it is a hard decision to have to make but they have a duty to the animals that are already in their care.
She didn't say how many people she had to turn away.
"The kittens have been coming in for the last three weeks. I mean pouring in by the litter," Bettinger said.
As of Thursday, the shelter had 107 cats. Of those, five are in foster care. There are now 34 kittens.
"We had four prior to the explosion. It is kitten season," she said.
They have 68 adult cats at the shelter. Five of them have special needs and an owner who can care for them and their medical needs is desired.
The shelter hit capacity last week. Most of those who dropped off the kittens had made arrangements to do so, she said.
The felines have come from different areas of the county, she said.
Bettinger said the shelter accepted the kittens because they had space but that space has run out.
"We've been using baking dishes for litter pans," she said. Kittens also are staying in other temporary accommodations like dog crates and ferret crates, she said.
She said they ask people who want to give them kittens if they can keep the kittens for a while until the felines at the shelter find new homes.
Some pet stores in the county assist by offering to show them, she said.
With limited resources, the shelter is doing what it can to provide care for the animals.
"Last month alone our medical and vet bills were over $3,000," Bettinger said.
To help alleviate the congestion, the shelter is having an adopt-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 29 at the shelter, 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove.
Adoption fees for a pet will be cut 50 percent to $25 for the event.
Veterinary and personal references will be checked. Approval from a landlord is also needed if applicable. If the requirements are met, prospective owners may take their new pet home that day.
Bettinger said some of the cats at the shelter have been there for two years.
There will also be a chicken barbecue June 29 at the Werner Lumber Lot in Pine Grove, 29 S. Tulpehocken St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost for a meal is $8 and proceeds benefit the shelter. For tickets or to ask about adopting a four-legged friend, call 570-345-3540.
A limited number of tickets will be available on the day of the barbecue.