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The Edmonton Humane Society is overrun with cats and kittens and has temporarily closed the doors to healthy strays and owner-surrenders.

A staggering 179 cats and 250 kittens are currently in the society’s care, pushing the feline population to maximum capacity.

“The root cause of the shelter’s capacity issue is cat overpopulation,” CEO Miranda Jordan-Smith said.

The cause: stray cat admissions in recent months have consistently outnumbered adopted cats, leading to a dire space shortage in the shelter.

READ MORE: Shelter cats in Calgary & Edmonton to benefit from quality-of-life program

Right now is the height of “kitten season”: the time of year when the shelter is inundated with litters of newborn felines. The society said overcrowding is an ongoing issue, which puts cats at increased risk for stress and disease.

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“It’s a strong reminder of how important it is for people to spay and neuter their pets, and it reinforces the need for a societal shift in thinking when it comes to caring for cats in our community and ensuring their humane treatment,” added Jordan-Smith.

People who find healthy, free-roaming cats are encouraged to leave them where they are found, because the society said research shows that’s the cat’s best chance for being reunited with its owner.

The society held a no-fee adoption event for cats over the age of six months this past weekend, when it also held an open house to showcase the work of the Edmonton Humane Society and its partnership with the city’s Animal Care and Control division. Thirty-two cats and 13 kittens were adopted at the event.

READ MORE: Humane Society holds adoption event after reaching ‘maximum capacity’ for cats

The humane society will still accept sick strays from outside Edmonton city limits, but urges people to call them first before bringing cats in. Strays found within Edmonton can be taken to the city’s Animal Care and Control Centre.

Visit the Edmonton Humane Society’s website to view the cats and kittens available for adoption.