Free Cats And Kittens At Baltimore City Shelters

BALTIMORE, MD — Around the state, 20 animal control and adoption centers are offering free cat and kitten adoptions through the end of July in hopes of helping 2,000 cats and kittens find homes. BARCS and the SPCA in Baltimore are among those participating in the free adoption event, called the "Maryland 2,000."

The promotion coincides with the deluge of kittens born during the summer months.

“For some, summer is a time to slow down a bit, relax at the pool or head down to the beach,” Jennifer Brause, executive director of BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter), said in a statement. “But for animal shelters in Maryland, there is nothing slow about summer. In fact, it’s one of the busiest times of the year when all of our shelters see a huge influx of kittens and cats.”

Now in its second year, the Maryland 2,000 spurs cat and kitten adoptions during the summer deluge of kittens.

“It’s critical that we find homes for the cats and kittens currently in our shelters, so we can continue to take in and save other felines who need our help,” Nichole Miller, director of operations at the Maryland SPCA, said in a statement. “The Maryland 2,000 is a way for our shelters to come together to raise awareness about how overcrowded shelters are during ‘Kitten Season’—when most kittens are born—and to ultimately save lives.”

Adoptions increased by 26 percent altogether at the shelters that participated in July 2017 compared with the year before, and they were able to help 2,395 cats and kittens find homes.

Here are the shelters participating in July 2018:

• Allegany County Animal Shelter
• Animal League of Queen Anne's County
• Anne Arundel County Animal Control
• Baltimore County Animal Services
• Baltimore Humane Society
• BARCS
• Baywater Animal Rescue
• Cecil County Animal Services
• City of College Park Animal Control
• Frederick County Division of Animal Control & Adoptions
• Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center
• Humane Society of Carroll County
• Humane Society of Harford County
• Humane Society of Kent County,
• Humane Society of Washington County
• Maryland SPCA
• Prince George County Animal Services Division
• Talbot County Humane Society
• Tri-County Animal Shelter
• Wicomico County Humane Society

While fees are waived during the month of July for adopting cats and kittens, regular adoption procedures still apply.

The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is at 301 Stockholm Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. See adoptable cats here.

The Maryland SPCA is at 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211. See adoptable cats at the Maryland SPCA.

Main image via Shutterstock.