NORWICH – The Chenango SPCA is over capacity and calling on the community for support.

The local shelter can hold between 100 to 125 animals comfortably. Currently they have 176 cats and 11 dogs in shelter and more cats with foster caretakers.

SPCA Executive Director Annette Clarke said that abandonment rates are high, and adoption rates are low.

“Last year at this time we had adopted out 444 animals, this year we're only at 388,” explained Clarke.

Clarke recalled a recent abandonment, “There was a tote of kittens left in our back parking lot, if no one had worked that day or saw that tote, I don't know that those kittens would have made it.”

Currently adoption fees are being waived until the end of November, making it easier than ever to adopt.

The SPCA also has an immediate need for foster pet owners. The volunteers care for the animals while they await adoption, taking material stress off the shelter. The volunteers typically make a 2 to 4 week commitment to foster cats in their homes.